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Nash Was Not Oblivious

I wonder whether the well-known poets of yore Read poems around a potbelly stove in a local store, Whether they entered contests sponsored by a peer Or discussed poetry with a friend over a cold beer? Do you think Poe might have rewritten and revised, To make his poems acceptable to an editor’s eyes? Somehow, I think Nash was not oblivious to style When he was writing light verse evoking a smile, Before the days of television and visual entertainment Writing a lengthy epic was a noteworthy attainment Today’s editors encourage poetry that is quite concise And poetry websites will print anything, isn’t that nice? Written January 29, 2022

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 1/30/2022 1:57:00 AM

"Do you think Poe might have rewritten and revised, To make his poems acceptable to an editor’s eyes?" - No. Absolutely not. I think he threw stuff onto a page and had a smoke.

Bill Baker

Date: 1/29/2022 1:53:00 PM

Yes, to your final statement. Does make you wonder about the evolution of poetry guided by editor's preferences. Sometimes I feel I should just write what I feel. I guess that's what free verse, blank verse and prose are about. Have a great writing day Milt. I have noticed an increase in the output from your poetic pen. :-) Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/29/2022 2:06:00 PM

Thanks, Bill. Reason: 1) Foul weather keeps me inside. 2) SADD forces me to keep my mind working, and 3) I just love to write poetry!!! Thanks for your thoughts.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/29/2022 12:42:00 PM

Interesting thought Milton, I imagine the poets of old sat at a table with a flickering candle with hot wax dripping down the candle and using a quill to write on parchment but strangely enough their poems have stood the test of time. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/29/2022 12:45:00 PM

Indeed, Tom. It is interesting to conjecture which ones knew each other, whether or not they belonged to poetry groups, and when and how they published (or were read). Thanks for your thoughts.