I agree with the idea of questioning the term _great poet_, it does not seem
to illuminate much. That said, I would be interested in hearing more about
what you feel is especially mediocre about Hughes poetry. I was introduced
to poetry through Hughes at school and for a long time thought it was all
wonderful. Only a little of his work still excites me now, I find most of
the mythological and shamanistic stuff interesting but forced, though there
are some effective individual poems, particularly in Cave Birds, and I feel
he became Poet Lariat in spirit long before they asked him. As for his
reading, I have heard little, but he seems to me to have the belief (which
seems common among the _grand old men_) that poetry should be read as
expressionlessly as possible.
what think you?
Lawrence wrote
>
>One needs to at least consider why one does not _care_ for a poet.
>
NICK
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