Vol.1 (07) - Why is this Poem so Obscure?

Why is this Poem so Obscure?

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 7

As a reader of poetry, no doubt you have come across one or more poems that troubled you in the manner that you found them quite obscure. In other words, you had difficulty understanding what the poet was on about or actually writing about. Rest assured you are not alone.

The fact is, this is not uncommon, even from poets we enjoy. There always seems to be that one poem (at least) that we have difficulty reading. Readers of your poetry may experience the same. Why is this?

Vol.1 (06) - Points from T. S. Eliot’s “Ezra Pound His Metric and Poetry”

Points From T. S. Eliot’s “Ezra Pound: His Metric and Poetry”

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 6

Scott-James commented on Pound’s work that he us ed unfamiliar meters whilst scorning the limitations of form and meter. However, this was what Pound was all about. One needed to practice the adaptability of meter to mood. Not only this, one required a trained ear and to use a variety of meters with the original use of language.

Vol.1 (05) - More Riming Couplets Please!

More Riming Couplets Please!

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 5

It is without a doubt that the riming couplet has been a useful construct in formal (classical) poetry. It has been altered and adapted over the centuries, but today there is a tendency not to give a great deal of praise or time to this once popular form.

Of course, there is still the push from the vers libre ¹tribe that the formalist we may say, are no longer required and should be put out to pasture. The most common reasons are that the verse is archaic and unoriginal.

Regardless of ill-informed comments, it is with great confidence that we can say the perfection of the riming couplet (also referred to as the heroic couplet) finished with Dryden and Pope. The two were not identical in their method of composition, but Pope was inspired by the work of Dryden and so learnt a great deal to perfect his own style.

Vol.1 (04) - What is Poetry?

What is Poetry?

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 4

In all honesty, this is the age-old question for which there is no answer. Many people have tried, but no-one has succeeded. Yes, all have failed. The point where failure begins is when personal opinions come into the discussion, debate or in some cases argument.

What poetry is to you or me is what we may call a personal taste. But is this taste something that is naturally acquired or fed to us from an early age? Perhaps it is that we learn to feed ourselves later in life with a more palatable diet. For some that would be no poetry at all.

Vol.1 (03) - Comments on Eliot's “Reflections on vers libre”

Comments on Eliot’s “Reflections on vers libre”

Eliot’s article appeared in “The New Statesman”
Volume 8, March 3, 1917, pp 518-19

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 3

Eliot's essay concerning vers libre is extremely important. One may even say that it is ground-breaking because it puts to rest the so-called free verse movement. At least I would have thought so, but the believers still push on in their ignorance, thinking that if you make enough noise then someone will listen.

Vol.1 (02) - Thoughts on T. S. Eliot's “Shelley and Keats”

Thoughts on T. S. Eliot’s “Shelley and Keats”

Eliot’s lecture was delivered at Harvard University February 17, 1933

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 2

I am a great admirer of Mr. Eliot’s work (Eliot from now on), both poetry, prose and critical essays. Albeit I do not find the enthusiasm for Wordsworth as he does, or at least to me appears to have, I hold great interest in work. I do find his comments about Shelley (which I doubt to be flippant) quite amusing on occasions. Nevertheless, there is some truth in what he has to say about Shelley; the man and his poetry.

Vol.1 (02) - What is this Thing called Meter?

What is this Thing called Meter?

Meter—Something modern poets try to avoid.¹

Ferrick Gray

Poetically Speaking

Volume 1, Issue 2

Music for Composition

When we talk of meter in accentual-syllabic verse, it is not something that should be obvious. If it is obvious, then your work will be of little interest. After listening to over-emphasized syllables, it will become dull and boring.

Vol.1 (01) - Charging Poetry with Meaning

Charging Poetry with Meaning

With a few words from Ezra Pound

Ferrick Gray

Poetically Speaking

Volume 1, Issue 1

Ways to Group Poetry

How would you group different styles of poetry? It seems that there are a whole host of ways of doing this. As we may suspect, as many ways as there are individuals. There will be three types of poetry, regardless of your method. Sure, there are!

One such general manner is to group it according to formality. The use of formal here means structured verse. Though not at all the well-dressèd-ness of the matter, it could well be. This is one of my preferred methods.

Vol.1 (01) - Review of “To Look Upon Eurydice” by Kenneth Daniel Wisseman

Review of “To Look upon Eurydice”

A Collection of Poems

by Kenneth Daniel Wisseman

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Book Proper

One of the first things you notice about this book by casually flipping through the pages is the quality of the book itself. The paper is smooth, and the text stands out well and is not small or difficult to read. Original artwork makes its appearance throughout the book, and some pages are embellished at the top with beautiful and original floral designs. Similar designs also appear beside the page numbers. Kenneth has spent a lot of time with the content and presentation to make sure the reader has the best quality book to hold for a pleasurable reading experience.