When it was suggested that our bestest ever poems should be grouped by theme I was not attracted by the idea - because I do not like additional work. However, the grouping and the themes has brought its own rewards - I think there will be some animated discussion about my choice of themes and the poetry I put into these loose grouping. It is difficult to fit square pegs in round holes and poetry - in this sense - is usually square.
The Poems Contemplative Epitaphs Haiku Love and Lust Nature Society, Politics, Religion Sonets War
Contemplative: The poet has something to say that goes beyond description and leads though to understanding.
Epitaphs: - this is easy - epitaphs have a purpose that generally defines writing that can be it
Haiku: - simple again - it is a form and defines itself
Love and Lust: - combine love with lust causes problems - but some of the poets do it so well that I decided to follow their lead
Nature: - not just the lakeland romantics - but they are the ones who gave it a bad name
Society, Politics, Religion: - where to put stuff you cannot categorise easily
Sonets: - and an explanation of the sonnet form - arguably on of the finest and most effective fixed forms ever devised
War: - and not just the First World War Poets - also some politically incorrect poetry from the likes of Kipling, but do read Kipling, despite his loss of favour by the more efete of the intellectual elite he has a lot to say and can say it so that people can get something real from it.
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