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  shakespeare

  "To be or not to be" (Bill Shakespear), "That is the question"

  Or as on old English teacher of mine was want to call him, "Bill Spokeshave"

  Posted 29 Aug 07

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  William McGonagall

  It's sad that McGonagal was treated as a buffoon, but it didn't appear to have concerned him overly.
  
  I had heard of McGonagal, and as far as I can recall his poem 'The Tay Bridge Disaster', was published in the monhly newspaper 'The Scottish Banner', sometime around New Year 2006, when they ran an article on Scottish history concerning the Tay bridge disaster.
  
  It's pure doggerel of course, and William does not appear to have ever heard of meter, but his poems seem (to me) to have a childlike simplicity which draws you in.
  
  His poems are also very descriptive, and that is something in their favour I suppose.
  
  And Spike Milligan, who wrote (as you said) some brilliant poetry, and indeed was a genius, (albeit a sometimes mentally unstable genius) could perhaps be described as "A Poet, Tragedian and Twitt" himself. (and I mean that in the nicest posible way).
  
  Milligan wrote a poem about abortion, from the point of view of a foetus, many years ago and it has remained in my memory ever since. (can't remember the title)
  
  But I digress! As far as I know William McGonagal didn't harm anyone and was more of a victim than anything else, and as a fellow poet I celebrate the fact that he (even in some small way) he gave enjoyment to his peers, whether intended, or unintended.   

  Posted 25 Jul 07

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  Spike Milligan

  Thanks for that Arthur, I think that this is one of the most moving poems I have ever read, it is absolutely brilliant.
  
  That is not my usual style of poetry, but the first time I read it (probably about 30years ago) I found it a very moving experience, as it was just now when I re-read it.
  
  It is brilliant writing, whatever your views on abortion may be.
  
  The last four lines wrap it all up for me.

  Posted 25 Jul 07

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  Lord Byron

  Excellent!
  Thanks for posting that, pdwizle. (good to know there are other poetry lovers here).
  
  Byron certainly wrote some great poems, and "When WE Two Parted" is one of my favourites, along with Dark Lochnagar.
  
  

  Dark Lochnagar

  Away, ye gay landscapes, ye gardens of roses,
  In you let the minions of luxury rove,
  Restore me the rocks where the snow-flake reposes,
  Though still they are sacred to freedom and love.
  Yet Caledonia, belov'd are thy mountains,
  Round their white summits the elements war
  Though cataracts foam 'stead of smooth-flowing fountains,
  I sigh for the valley of dark Lochnagar.
  

  Ah! there my young footsteps in infancy wander'd,
  My cap was the bonnet, my cloak was my plaid.
  On chieftains long perish'd my memory ponder'd
  As daily I strode thro' the pine cover'd glade.
  I sought not my home till the day's dying glory
  Gave place to the rays of the bright Polar star.
  For fancy was cheer'd by traditional story,
  Disclos'd by the natives of dark Lochnagar!
  

  Years have roll'd on, Lochnagar, since I left you!
   Years must elapse ere I tread you again.
  Though nature of verdure and flow'rs has bereft you,
  Yet still are you dearer than Albion's plain.
  England, thy beauties are tame and domestic
  To one who has roamed over mountains afar
  Oh! for the crags that are wild and majestic,
  The steep frowning glories of dark Lochnagar.

  
  
  

  Posted 18 Jul 07