This post is an absolute treasure trove of poetry gems (and lists) compiled with great knowledge, care and love. It's a real "must read" for all true lovers of poetry, and I know already that I will return to it again and again.
Now I must re-read to those dazzling Neruda translations. They are so exquisite!
I used to think Shakespeares sonnets were overrated because less than 10% them are great. But if you read books of poems as they were published, not just what gets anthologized it is a different matter. Even Harmonium, Wallace Stevens first published book of poems summarizing his career till 43 years old, doesn’t get to 10% even though represented there in are 2 of your to 10 poems of all time (Snow Man and Sunday Morning (I would have chosen Idea of Order at Key West, but your selection from Sunday Morning was spot on)). I still get your point, but there are few people who could have written “When it Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes.” If this was his career, where he concentrate during his exalted years, he might be unassailable.
I think Shakespeare was greatest in his best plays, and also a great songwriter if he wrote the songs in his plays. But I think his best sonnets are not as good as the best lyric poems of Dickinson, Frost, Rilke, Sappho, Yeats, and several other poets.
I think Shakespeare's sonnets are overrated, compared to the work of his best competitors.
I have been collecting comments about my poems for the last 30 years and have thousands in a huge file. I always consider what people say, but then I follow my own best judgment. I have made many changes to my poems based on criticism, including just yesterday.
I have vague memories of recurring ads for books by someone who used to bill himself pseudonymously as the World's Greatest Poet. I never read anything by him.
Who did I leave out or under-rate? Please let me know in the comments. I'm always open to suggestion.
This post is an absolute treasure trove of poetry gems (and lists) compiled with great knowledge, care and love. It's a real "must read" for all true lovers of poetry, and I know already that I will return to it again and again.
Now I must re-read to those dazzling Neruda translations. They are so exquisite!
I think it's a good top 100 and the poets one hasn't read are well worth exploring.
But it was tough making the final cuts.
Ouch!
I used to think Shakespeares sonnets were overrated because less than 10% them are great. But if you read books of poems as they were published, not just what gets anthologized it is a different matter. Even Harmonium, Wallace Stevens first published book of poems summarizing his career till 43 years old, doesn’t get to 10% even though represented there in are 2 of your to 10 poems of all time (Snow Man and Sunday Morning (I would have chosen Idea of Order at Key West, but your selection from Sunday Morning was spot on)). I still get your point, but there are few people who could have written “When it Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes.” If this was his career, where he concentrate during his exalted years, he might be unassailable.
I think Shakespeare was greatest in his best plays, and also a great songwriter if he wrote the songs in his plays. But I think his best sonnets are not as good as the best lyric poems of Dickinson, Frost, Rilke, Sappho, Yeats, and several other poets.
I think Shakespeare's sonnets are overrated, compared to the work of his best competitors.
David Whyte…
I will add him as your nomination, thanks.
Y’know… I’m not alone, looking at the other kind comments here…
I have been collecting comments about my poems for the last 30 years and have thousands in a huge file. I always consider what people say, but then I follow my own best judgment. I have made many changes to my poems based on criticism, including just yesterday.
Wow this is wonder-full! Saving to re-reading
I'm glad you like it.
Perhaps a lifetime of reading has paid off.
I'm glad to be still going strong, but you might consider a category for Aged Sacks of Shit.
I'm feeling my age but the best poems never age and I hope some survive me.
🔥👌📚💋
I'm always honored to receive a "like" from Lady Geraldine!
I have vague memories of recurring ads for books by someone who used to bill himself pseudonymously as the World's Greatest Poet. I never read anything by him.
Were his initials D.S.?
If so, I ran into him.
He constantly said his sonnets were better than Shakespeare's.