there was a lively discussion on this list a month or two ago on DT,
and the air I got is of a kind of newfound disdain; as if loving
Thomas' poetry were some crime of youth or lack of study & experience.
he may be a bit overrepresented in circles of academic analysis, and
that's probably fed some feeling of dislike; and I do see that the
opportunity for overrating is well in existence. but I would echo Jon
a bit; not only is his language lung-contorting & nearly demonic at
times in its sentiments (though occasionally very profoundly
pastoral), there's an absolute quality to the tones expressed; there's
no anger, only rage; there's no happiness, only exultation. his
intensity may be what has driven some readers away; it isn't tasteful
in modern poetry anymore.
that said, his images & his metaphors do have a way of repeating
themselves that even I as a fervent devotee can't ignore. oh, wait,
yes I can. but it does get under my skin a little, especially with
long stretches of reading him.
KS
On 25/10/2007, Jon Corelis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Housman and Graves at their best seem as good to me as ever. Dylan
> Thomas's appeal is for me untouched; I think the sinking of his stock
> is due largely to a current taste which reacts negatively to --
> ohmigawd! EMOTION! Conrad Aiken has been seriously underrated.
>
> --
> ===================================
>
> Jon Corelis www.geocities.com/joncpoetics/
>
> ===================================
>
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