A defense of high culture and ordered liberty by Russell Kirk, https://kirkcenter.org/kirk-essays/kirk-essay-cultural-debris/.
Kirk was a defender of traditional Conservatism and an American. I very much doubt however that he has been read by Donald Trump or (if he has) that the President would understand Kirk.
A tree branch, bowed
Half blocked the track.
I did not turn back
But ducked under.
There it stands,
Guarding the path.
Bowed by the recent wind.
Nature will have the last laugh,
Whether this tree
Outlasts me,
Or no.
When the elderly wife of Mr Ted
Found a girl’s shoes under their bed
She said, with a sigh,
“I really don’t know why,
You must insist on wearing those, Ted!”.
I dreamed of Homer.
And of Odysseus the roamer,
And a wine red sea.
But awoke to this Modernity.
When a wealthy elderly lady named Leigh
Said, “I shall patronise your poetry”.
And I said, “oh, that means money!”,
She said, “no, my sweet honey!
But I shall patronise your poetry!”.
Whilst climbing up an extremely tall tower
I saw a lady in a shower.
I said to her,
“Is your name Claire?”.
She said, “no! and vacate this shower!”.
The wind gusts.
Human lusts
Are strong.
But, as I sit in my home,
I remember long
Gone Rome.
And listen to the eternal sing,
Of the gusting wind.
I see the sky
And delight in the sun’s rays.
But nothing stays
The same, and I know
This show,
Must turn to dust.
I hear the voices of women
And think on love,
And sinning.
But, as with the sky
Above,
I know
‘Tis a passing show.
Girls play
At ballet.
Their skirts billow.
Thoughts of pillow
And bed
Fill his head.
Youthful feet tap.
The gap
‘Twixt lust,
Dust
And art,
Is not that far apart.
A good introduction courtesy of the blog Interesting Literature, on the origins of blank verse. The post explains that blank verse was invented by the Earl of Surrey, and explores the differences between blank and free verse, blank verse being closest to everyday speech.
To read the article please visit, https://interestingliterature.com/2020/02/what-is-blank-verse-introduction/.
K Morris - Poet 