Monthly Archives: August 2025

Archaic Language or References in Poetry

Some time ago, a friend commented that a number of my poems where, in his view a little old fashioned in their use of language and references. When I asked him for an example, he sighted my not infrequent references to “the Reaper” and “the Grim Reaper”. At that juncture I was somewhat taken off guard and did not, so far as I can recollect provide my friend with a coherent response to his comments on my poetry. However, a little while after the conversation with him took place, I happened to hear Blue Oyster Cult’s “Baby Don’t Fear” playing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4HA3vUv2c&list=RDDy4HA3vUv2c&start_radio=1

Whilst I certainly would never advocate that poets go back to writing in the style of the Elizabethans, or to that of the Victorians, I don’t believe that writers of poetry should be constrained in their poetic creations by what some people hold to be archaic references or language should they choose to employ such references or vocabulary. I, for one shall continue to engage with my old acquaintance the Reaper, for we are on nodding terms having met whilst I spent some 6 weeks in the Walton Neuro Centre after having under gone an operation for the removal of a brain abscess.

You can find a video of me reading my poem “time”, which references the Reaper here Time

For “Passing Through: Some Thoughts on Life and Death”, which was written primarily during my stay in hospital, please visit Passing Through: Some thoughts on life and death: Amazon.co.uk: Morris, K: 9798284279151: Books

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Today I found my old shoes by the settee

And remembered you and me.

Your breasts where firm. Your skin youthful and tight

When I indulged last night.

Afterwards, your perfume lingered

On my pillows and fingers.

You kissed me goodbye.

And today I ponder on my settee

Bought in my youth

And the truth, I am growing old.

The Haunted Old House

The Poem of Age 35, by Turkish poet Cahit Sitki Taranci.

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Yesterday, whilst Zooming with fellow poets, I was introduced to “The Poem of Age 35”, by Turkish poet Cahit Sitki Taranci. I have never visited Turkey and know very little of Turkish culture. I was, however deeply impressed and moved by Cahit Sitki Taranci’s “The Poem of Age 35”. Hence I am sharing it here The Poem of Age 35 by Cahit Sitki Taranci – Eppur Si Muove

White Poet Pretended to be Black to Get Published

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Aaron Barry, a white poet pretended to be black and had poems published which had previously been rejected when submitted under his own name. This story has not surprisingly provoked a good deal of controversy and I’ll leave it to you my readers to make up your own minds on the rightness or otherwise of the situation described in this article How white man became famous as a queer Nigerian poet – Businessday NG, and Elsewhere online.