Many poets foresee their own death - especially if they are about to die young, and their untimely demise seems somehow fated. In 'Beyond' it is possible that Digby, age 19, is already looking beyond his brief life here. This is a fine poem, as indeed is 'A Song', which can be viewed as a call to seize the day - or seize our passing, palpable moments of love because death is never far away.
I wrote poems about death and mortality at age 14-15, so young poets can ponder such things in verse. My favorite Dolben poem is "A Song" but "Beyond" is up there as well.
I first discovered Dolben through Simon Edge, who entrusted me with the task of doing the final edit of his book The Hopkins Conundrum, a fine work of fiction in which G M Hopkins' intense lifelong infatuation with Dolben is the dominant theme. The book got "listed" for several prizes as I recall including The Booker. The book came out in 2017. I then brought Dolben to Mike's attention who then created a page at THT to showcase some of Dolben's poems. Dolben's temperament wasn't unlike Shelley's and his poetry is self-evidently of unusual quality. Whether his death was accidental or intentional will always be unknown, but the river he drowned in swallowed a rare talent. As did the waters that swallowed Shelley.
Many poets foresee their own death - especially if they are about to die young, and their untimely demise seems somehow fated. In 'Beyond' it is possible that Digby, age 19, is already looking beyond his brief life here. This is a fine poem, as indeed is 'A Song', which can be viewed as a call to seize the day - or seize our passing, palpable moments of love because death is never far away.
I wrote poems about death and mortality at age 14-15, so young poets can ponder such things in verse. My favorite Dolben poem is "A Song" but "Beyond" is up there as well.
Yes, I like both poems very much - especially 'Beyond'.
Your choice of Digby's poetry was a good one today, Michael. I had never heard of him. Thank you!
I'm glad I was able to introduce you to a very worthy poet!
Over the past several months, I think you’ve introduced me to several and I thank you.
My pleasure, and you are very welcome!
I first discovered Dolben through Simon Edge, who entrusted me with the task of doing the final edit of his book The Hopkins Conundrum, a fine work of fiction in which G M Hopkins' intense lifelong infatuation with Dolben is the dominant theme. The book got "listed" for several prizes as I recall including The Booker. The book came out in 2017. I then brought Dolben to Mike's attention who then created a page at THT to showcase some of Dolben's poems. Dolben's temperament wasn't unlike Shelley's and his poetry is self-evidently of unusual quality. Whether his death was accidental or intentional will always be unknown, but the river he drowned in swallowed a rare talent. As did the waters that swallowed Shelley.
And just think what Dolben and Shelley would have done if they had lived longer ... unless they chose to become gunrunners like Rimbaud!
Scratch The Booker Prize nomination part, double-checked that and wanted to set the record straigjht.
Immaculate
Digby Dolben is surely one of the best poets almost no one knows. Hopefully his pages here and at The HyperTexts will help change that.