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Poetry Corner: Poet Laureate Update

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
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Poetry Corner. Poet Laureateship Update.

As promised to those that have applied. Don't worry the process is still ongoing.

The Guardian reports that the latest front-runner, Imtiaz Dharker ,Pakistani born but raised in Glasgow joins the growing list of declinees.

These include Wendy Cope Jackie Kay, Alice Oswald and Benjamin Zephaniah, clearly not impressed with the stipend for the 10 year stint of £5,750 every year and, traditionally, a “butt of sack”, equivalent to roughly 600 bottles of Sherry.

Although Spurs fans beware as we will be very preoccupied over the next few years with winning the Premiership and the Champions' League and the Laureateship can be very distracting.

Andrew Motion who was Laureate from 1999 to 2009, called the role '' very damaging to my work''
(Not exactly Poetry in Motion I'm afraid) You have been warned.

Many other likely candidates have switched to UK’s second most prestigious poetry position: the Oxford Professor of Poetry and Spurs Community aspiring poets might consider this as an option.

At least it's an open honest appointment unlike the Laureateship which is shrouded in mystery and privilege. It pays slightly more but without the Sherry which some might see as an advantage.

It's not without its intrigue though as a recent appointee Ruth Padel resigned after nine days in 2009 after allegations that she tipped off journalists about sexual harrassment claims against her rival Derek Walcott. What larks.

We are waiting now for Theresa May to find a gap in her diary amidst the ongoing saga of Brexit
to study the lists and make a recommendation for theLaureateship, to the Queen I assume.

The early May deadline has already passed so don't hold your breaths.

Meanwhile we have other pressing matters to attend to.

Update as and when.

JimmyG2 reading the Guardian so you don't have to.
 

JimmyG2

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Dec 7, 2006
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20,779
Update Updated:

Relax and stand down aspirant Spurs Community poets.

Simon Armitage has been appointed.
They were hoping to find a woman of colour but have picked
the next best thing, a white male instead.

But he's at least a Yorkshireman, ex Probation Officer and on the School Curriculum.
So your kids might know more about him than you.

Gave up the day job over 20 years ago.

Here's a sample:
Rhymes which will please the more doubtful poetry followers but mysterious.
Guardian says he is accessible but profound.

About his person,
Five pounds fifty in change, exactly,
a library card on its date of expiry.

A postcard stamped,
unwritten, but franked,

a pocket size diary slashed with a pencil
from March twenty-fourth to the first of April.

A brace of keys for a mortise lock,
an analogue watch, self winding, stopped.

A final demand
in his own hand,

a rolled up note of explanation
planted there like a spray carnation

but beheaded, in his fist.
A shopping list.

A givaway photgraph stashed in his wallet,
a keepsake banked in the heart of a locket.

no gold or silver,
but crowning one finger

a ring of white unweathered skin.
That was everything.

Simon Armitage

JimmyG2 reading the Guardian so you don't have to.
 

daveduvet

Well-Known Member
Oct 6, 2008
5,610
15,214
Update Updated:

Relax and stand down aspirant Spurs Community poets.

Simon Armitage has been appointed.
They were hoping to find a woman of colour but have picked
the next best thing, a white male instead.

But he's at least a Yorkshireman, ex Probation Officer and on the School Curriculum.
So your kids might know more about him than you.

Gave up the day job over 20 years ago.

Here's a sample:
Rhymes which will please the more doubtful poetry followers but mysterious.
Guardian says he is accessible but profound.

About his person,
Five pounds fifty in change, exactly,
a library card on its date of expiry.

A postcard stamped,
unwritten, but franked,

a pocket size diary slashed with a pencil
from March twenty-fourth to the first of April.

A brace of keys for a mortise lock,
an analogue watch, self winding, stopped.

A final demand
in his own hand,

a rolled up note of explanation
planted there like a spray carnation

but beheaded, in his fist.
A shopping list.

A givaway photgraph stashed in his wallet,
a keepsake banked in the heart of a locket.

no gold or silver,
but crowning one finger

a ring of white unweathered skin.
That was everything.

Simon Armitage

JimmyG2 reading the Guardian so you don't have to.
Brilliant
 

cider spurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
9,399
23,731
Why thank you there Jimmy
For you are most kind
But this poetry you talk of
I do find a grind
It's not that I'm ignorant
I read the last bit
As for the rest of it
Well I found that...lovely. ;)
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Why thank you there Jimmy
For you are most kind
But this poetry you talk of
I do find a grind
It's not that I'm ignorant
I read the last bit
As for the rest of it
Well I found that...lovely. ;)

The Greeks had a word for that kind of reverse, let down ending
but I can't remember what it is.

Only ten years to wait before you can have another go
at Poet Laureate.
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
daveduvet.
Note to all read and re-read and get as much out of a poem
before going to this kind of fascinating in depth analysis.
Some of these assertions are arguable
some are obvious even to the untrained.
The stuff on the significance of couplets and mismatching of lines
for example is a bit over the top.
But most interesting and enjoyable thanks.

Wished we'd had Google and you-tube when I went to Uni.

I hope getting to the CL final compensates you all for the Poet Laureateship disappointment.
 
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daveduvet

Well-Known Member
Oct 6, 2008
5,610
15,214
daveduvet.
Note to all read and re-read and get as much out of a poem
before going to this kind of fascinating in depth analysis.
Some of these assertions are arguable
some are obvious even to the untrained.
The stuff on the significance of couplets and mismatching of lines
for example is a bit over the top.
But most interesting and enjoyable thanks.

Wished we'd had Google and you-tube when I went to Uni.
Yep; there can be over-analysis and subjective context. I realised from the off that the guy had died; and quite possibly via suicide. I do tend to read and Re-read, then - being my nature - I like to look at the subtext. Not wrong about google/YouTube at uni. That cut n paste on my dissertation would’ve been easier!
 
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