There once was a women from Venus. . .
I floundered across poetry about a year and a half ago. I decided that I would go around and memorise vast tracts of poetry so I could recall it whenever I needed a pick-me-up. I put a new poem on my desk every month and I endeavor to memorise it. I’m doing really well - I’ve got about a dozen memorised, as well as he prologue of Romeo and Juliet, which seems to jump unbidden to my mind whenever I watch the news about Israel:
Two households, both alike in dignity
In fair Palestine, where we lay our scene.
From ancient grudge breaks new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
I have to say my faves are Underneath an Abject Willow and This be the verse. The fomer makes me swoon, and the latter makes me want to do my head in! Everyone should get hold of some Philip Larkin - he’s great!
This be the verse:
They fuck you up, your mum and dad,
They may not mean to, but they do.
They put in all the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.
But they were fucked up in their turn,
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were sorry stern
And half at one anothers throats.
Man hands misery to man,
It broadens like a coastal shelf,
So get out as quickly as you can,
and don’t have any kids yourself.