Poetry > C Poetry

Advantages: A true classic of the English language
Disadvantages: In Middle English without translation, it can be difficult to read

In Chaucer's work, 'The Canterbury Tales', perhaps the greatest of English literary works from the period of the language known as Middle English, there is one particular piece that have always stood out for me. 'A Clerk ther was of Oxenford also,' This is perhaps my favourite character, as when I first read it, it seemed to epitomise what I hoped for in my own life. 'That unto logik hadde longe y-go. .... For him was lever have at his beddes ...
...to his magnus opus, 'The Canterbury Tales', a collection of stories with prologue told by pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury (car radios and in-flight movies were rare in those days), Chaucer wrote minor poems to suit various occasions (his first record as poet comes from having written a poem as elegy on the death of John of Gaunt's first wife, Blanche, in 1369), and the major work for which he was noted for 'Troilus and Criseyde', which showed ... Read review

Advantages: Intensely profound and thought provoking poetry.
Disadvantages: Dark and gloomy.

...From Crow's Theology: Crow realized God loved him- Otherwise, he would have dropped dead. So that was proved. Crow reclined, marvelling, on his heart-beat. . . . And what loved the shot-pellets That dribbled from those strung-up mummifying crows? What spoke the silence of lead? Crow realized there were two Gods- One of them much bigger than the other Loving his enemies And having all the weapons. Here the central contradiction in the poems ...
...mercy of the world. Crow is unforgiving and selfish, a creature who delights in what he can do, without regard for others: Crow and Mama When Crow cried his mother's ear Scorched to a stump. When he laughed she wept Blood her breasts her palms her brow all wept blood. He tried a step, then a step, and again a step - Every one scarred her face for ever. When he burst out in rage She fell back with an awful gash and a fearful cry. When Crow cried ... Read review

Advantages: Very deep, some moving poems
Disadvantages: Can take a while to get into it

Just to make it clear form the start, I am reviewing the 'Everyman's Poetry' book which contains works by Thomas from between 1931 and 1952. I was first introduced to Dylan Thomas properly by my English teacher as we have had to study his poetry for my course. I had heard of him before but it had never really crossed my mind to actually read any of his work, mostly due to my laziness. Now however, I am glad I was introduced to Thomas' work. At first ...
...have studied more and more, I feel that I have become more aware of how he presents his ideas and I would certainly encourage any reader struggling with his works to persevere, as it really does get easier and a lot more interesting! The Book --------------------------------- This 112 page edition of the book not only contains 62 of Thomas' best known and best loved poems, but also a note on the author and editor, a timeline of Thomas' life, a ... Read review

Advantages: Remarkable poems
Disadvantages: None

...Sylvia Plath Genre: Poetry Title: Crossing the Water Pages: vi + 56 Copyright © 1971 by Ted Hughes ISBN: 0-06-013374-0 pbk. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 71-138758 I bought this book from Amazon US in June 2006. The price was US$ 8.20. For years, Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson have been my preferred American female poets. ************************** Sylvia Plath at Glance ************************** According to Merriam Webster's ...
...posthumously include Ariel (1965) and Crossing the Water (1971), both poetry collection, and Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams (1977), a book of short stories and other prose. The Collected Poems, which includes many previously unpublished poems, appeared in 1981 and was awarded a Pulitzer Price. More further details about Sylvia Plath also available at: (1) www.sylviaplath.de (2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SylviaPlath ************************ ... Read review

Advantages: A fine poet who ... manages to build the richest of poems from the barest of methods
Disadvantages: May be boring for younger readers.

All of her poems definately have an emotional attachment in some way to something whthin both the readed and probably Jennings herself. I have studied some of her poems and i find them very interesting to read, they convey something of a deeper meaning. My Grandmother She kept an antique shop – or it kept her.... And I remember how I once refused To go out with her, since I was afraid. It was perhaps a wish not to be used Like antique objects. ...
...I felt no grief at all, ...guilt of what I once refused. ...walked into her room things she never used But needed... This poem in particular makes you reflect on how you treat others, also that every day should be made the most of - nothing lasts for ever. From reading this poem in particular i have tried to pay more attention to other people, in particular, my Gran, old people can often seem "in the way" their old fashioned ways can become ... Read review