Elegy for Sunflowers

Ferrick Gray

for Poetry Showcase

I look out the window and it's all green —
green grass, much greener than the ink I use.
Kind Nature plays at dressing up again.

Vol.1 (01) - Auden on Reading

Auden on Reading

(and for those who read)
from W. H. Auden's “The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays” (Faber and Faber, 1962)
Ferrick Gray
Working with Auden
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Dec. 28)

Prefatory Remarks

We do not hear about, or read enough Auden! I am speaking of Wystan Hugh Auden (February 21, 1907 — September 29, 1973), one of the most brilliant poets, critics, essayists, and playwrights, not to mention his talents in opera libretti, music, and collaborations. Auden gave his full effort to everything. He was not afraid to speak his mind and was an unashamed formalist when it came to his poetry. During an interview, Auden was asked whether the preference of today's poets for free verse was an aversion to discipline. The response from the great man was accurate, well-reasoned, and definitely not surprising.

The Tale of Pablo Poe

Ferrick Gray

for Poetry Showcase

      Introductory Stanzas

         —1—

A rogue by nature, fiendish in his ways,
 He claims the world’s his oyster — May well be,
But sycophant describes his crude displays,
 And what he thinks is not what others see.
His life is such, to wile away the days
 In leisure, irresponsible and free —
Larking or concocting here and there,
This mischief-maker idle, not a care.

Transcription of Pablo Neruda’s Love Sonnet XVII

Ferrick Gray
for Poetry Showcase

No doubt there have been times when you read a poem and thought I wish I had written that. The words seem so perfect already, but you can always try something a little different in the form of a transcription.

Music is another area where you may have heard of transcriptions. Leopold Stokowski did some amazing things with Bach’s work, writing them for an orchestra. In a similar way, we can write another poet’s piece in a different format.

Many of us have a great appreciation for Neruda’s work, especially his love sonnets. What I have done here is to take his Love Sonnet XVII and transcribe it into the Shakespearean sonnet form in English. It must be remembered that the resulting transcription is still the original poet’s work. You cannot claim all recognition, only the arrangement and perhaps a few editing decisions.

Maine’s Far Shore

Kenneth Daniel Wisseman

for Poetry Showcase

Into brown eyes that shine like Eve,
Soft eyes of love that linger leave;
Farewells upon her bonny bosom my dream,
Her sunny locks, caress’d its flowing stream;
I shall always love her with all my heart,
  Though miles apart.