A couple of days ago, I came across this beautiful musical rendering by Lorena Mckennitt of Tennyson’s The Lady of Shalott. I am not, generally a fan of musical renderings of poetry. However, Mckennitt’s singing of the poem moved me
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
Is English literature dying? The conclusion of a discussion on the New Statesman’s Youtube channel is that English literature is indeed dying and will be largely replaced by short form videos on Tik Tok, Youtube and other similar channels. You can watch the video here https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=decline+of+english+literature+new+statesman+youtube&mid=5B236ED81B4763A297425B236ED81B4763A29742&FORM=VIRE
The author Mark Twain is said to have remarked that, “reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. I certainly hope that this proves to be so with the predicted demise of English literature.
Whilst it is almost impossible to draw sweeping conclusions from one’s own experience, my use of Tik Tok has resulted in a very high volume of likes and comments on my poetry videos, and a number of commenters have been kind enough to say that they will buy copies of my books. Therefore short form videos do, in my admittedly limited experience have the potential to actually increase interest in literature and assist in the sale of books.
You can find me on Tik Tok here https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinmorrispoet
As always, I would be interested in your views.
Over the last few years, I have been guilty of allowing my Youtube to languish. However, one of my new year resolutions is to post more frequently on Youtube. I have therefore started to upload more of my poetry onto Youtube over the past couple of weeks. To listen to me reading my poetry on Youtube please visit https://www.youtube.com/@101drewdog/videos. If you enjoy what you hear, do please consider subscribing to my Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-2AWegHHqc
It being the first of November, I thought that I would post one of my favourite poems, my November Guest by Robert Frost.
Frost was a New England poet. However, given that he spent some time in England and was friends with the English poet Edward Thomas, I think we English can also lay claim to Frost’s wonderful poetry. No brickbats from my American readers for laying claim to Robert Frost please!
You can find My November Guest in Frost’s A Boy’s Will.
As some of you may know, I have recorded a number of my poems on TikTok. You don’t have to have an account to watch my videos, however, you will need an account if you wish to like, comment or follow me on the platform.
My experience of TikTok has, on the whole, been a positive one, and I would encourage my fellow writers and poets to consider the platform. In my experience, my videos on TikTok reach people who do not follow me on my blog, although I am, of course, grateful to those few WordPress followers who also follow me on TikTok.
I am pleased to announce that my June Author Newsletter is available and can be found here. It is over a year since my last newsletter, and I promise to be much better in the future.
A recent Youtube recording of me reading my poem “There Once Was a Clever Old Ghost”
A recording of me on Youtube reading my poem “Jubilee”,
A Youtube recording of me reading my poem “Lovers by Moonlight”,
K Morris - Poet 