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CONTENT AND FORM

The following is a personal view.

To my mind, producing poetry can be like the art of cuisine.

Content of poetry (like food) can be varied - to be entertaining, pleasing, able to stimulate

interest and debate beyond the reach of safe and sacrosanct expectations.  Sassoon and

Owen used content powerfully and it survived the forms they used to reach the public

palate.  Not always easy to digest but the recipe has a powerful tradition that survives time

and fashion in its ability to question and debate "sacred cows" and received wisdom.

In that sense, content is always more important than form.  The latter is a framework for what

is produced and is, after all,  a matter of personal taste in many cases. 

Poems on "difficult" subjects can open a window that helps extend the view beyond past

limits and are always to be encouraged without fear or favour in the wider interest of mental

exercise and increased social awareness.  Poetry deserves proper respect and that includes

care, control and accuracy in the choice and application of the language used.  "Sloppy" was

a common word from my own schooldays and its relevance is still apparent today.

So - if you're content with the message of your poem's content, adopt the form you think best -

and be content!

◄ JULIE ANDREWS IS EIGHTY TODAY

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post ►

Comments

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 8th Oct 2015 15:47

I would never underestimate the value of form but I hold
the view that it is the "servant" of content.
Thanks for your comment.

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Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Thu 8th Oct 2015 00:20

Form is important, sure the content is the spuds and cabbage and meat, but if you mix it up like a dogs dinner, it wont taste as good...

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