Friday, January 10, 2003
Motion Denied!
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As related by Australian Tim Blair, The Guardian celebrates the descent of England's Poet Laureate Andrew Motion to the level of everyday, well, doggerel.
"In the 30-word poem, Motion, who was appointed by the Queen in 1999, sides with those who are 'doubtful' about a war - and against the political leaderships of Britain and America"
Guardian of what now? A Poet Laureate ought to be about the big stuff. Universals. The Human Condition. We want a moving contribution to existence here. We want a laureate who can look from far above, see history’s racing march of tyrants vs freedom, and fit it all together. He flopped.
Iambic pentameter is rather like an instant camera. Thousands can get a poem or a picture—but few can speak, or exhibit, to the centuries.
Judge for yourself:
CAUSA BELLI by Andrew Motion
They read good books, and quote, but never learn
a language other than the scream of rocket-burn.
Our straighter talk is drowned but ironclad:
elections, money, empire, oil and Dad.
Blair implies Motion ought to go. DoggerelPundit seconds that, er, motion…
COBBER BLAIR, AYE! by “Polyjuice Potion”
He writes good stuff, we read, and always learn
As now--he's really wanting Motion to adjourn.
Brit Laureate’s stuff, it stinks of rotten shad,
Though rhyming good, the content's fookin' bad.
Link via Tim Blair
posted by Stephen at 1:11 PM | Plink
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