He was a great poet, without a doubt, and he helped usher in a new style of poetry (before all this modern poetry was popular). One of my favorites as well.

Daniel

I have certainly heard of Robert Frost and read a couple of his poems, did he write only in rhyme? An English poet John Betjeman also wrote in rhyme I have never come across any poem of his in free verse. I think that maybe they were compatriots writing in the 30s,40s and 50s I wonder if they knew each others work.? But I think that both would be classed as uncreative by todays poetry elite, after all you can understand both without scrambling your brain.

A sample of John Betjeman’s work below written in the London blitz 1940, I love the satire in this.


In Westminster Abbey by John Betjeman


Let me take this other glove off
As the vox humana swells,
And the beauteous fields of Eden
Bask beneath the Abbey bells.
Here, where England's statesmen lie,
Listen to a lady's cry.

Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans,
Spare their women for Thy Sake,
And if that is not too easy
We will pardon Thy Mistake.
But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,
Don't let anyone bomb me.

Keep our Empire undismembered
Guide our Forces by Thy Hand,
Gallant blacks from far Jamaica,
Honduras and Togoland;
Protect them Lord in all their fights,
And, even more, protect the whites.

Think of what our Nation stands for,
Books from Boots' and country lanes,
Free speech, free passes, class distinction,
Democracy and proper drains.
Lord, put beneath Thy special care
One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.

Although dear Lord I am a sinner,
I have done no major crime;
Now I'll come to Evening Service
Whensoever I have the time.
So, Lord, reserve for me a crown,
And do not let my shares go down.

I will labour for Thy Kingdom,
Help our lads to win the war,
Send white feathers to the cowards
Join the Women's Army Corps,
Then wash the steps around Thy Throne
In the Eternal Safety Zone.

Now I feel a little better,
What a treat to hear Thy Word,
Where the bones of leading statesmen
Have so often been interr'd.
And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait
Because I have a luncheon date.