National Poetry Day: What is your favourite poem/poet?

[Toby]

Hi guys,

Its National Poetry Day today, so I thought I'd create a little discussion and ask; What is your favourite poem or poet?

I studied a lot of poetry in college and used to love de-construcitng them for the inner symbolism.

One of my favourties is a classic: William Blake

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen? 

And did the Countenance Divine  
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills? 

Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire. 

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

source

 What about you?

[Cleoriff]

I am not much for poetry if honest but with reference to @viridis question about music stars being poets then yes I think some were..

John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison (The Doors), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) Roger Waters/Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) to name but a few. Very subjective of course...:smileywink:

[jonsie]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

I am not much for poetry if honest but with reference to @viridis question about music stars being poets then yes I think some were..

John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison (The Doors), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) Roger Waters/Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) to name but a few. Very subjective of course...:smileywink:

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You could add Pete Townshend to that list but they won't be remembered as lyrical, just great musicians....

[Cleoriff]

I wasn't thinking of musicians though @jonsie more of the lyricists, I personally love the words of Comfortably Numb

[Anonymous]

'Trees' by John Masefield

most memorable line:

the silver birch is a dainty lady ... she wears a satin gown

poetry is very moving I think

I plan to have a silver birch tree to mark my life when the time comes I'm not upon this Earth 

not that I'm much of a dainty lady  but you see silver birch trees survive on not much ... = ... think about them all alongside railway lines 

[Toby]

Some very good choices here guys

@MI5, I studied a lot of Tennyson in English Literature. He paints a vivid picture of war.

[MI5]

He certainly does - very emotional too.

[Toby]

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@MI5 wrote:
He certainly does - very emotional too.

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I'm assuming you have read some of Wilfred Owen too? I often get their material confused.

[MI5]

I have read some.
Such a pity to die so close to the end of the war having survived so much up to that point.

[Anonymous]

Ted Hughes ... 9pm BBC2 tonight ... programme about the man & his poetry ... I understand he was once our Poet Laureate

[Toby]

Did you watch it @Anonymous? Any good?