Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night .

[Longcol]

35 minutes ago, Jim117 said:

When I was at school the kids who were good at English were moved up to the English Lit class, myself included. First topic up was the First World War poets, a subject so dreary that we dropped like flies back into the regular English class. Such a gross mismanagement of teaching killed my interest in poetry for life!

Probably because it was on the "O" level syllabus?

[harvey19]

7 minutes ago, Longcol said:

Probably because it was on the "O" level syllabus?

Think we started with Medusa.

Long time ago though.

[Jim117]

28 minutes ago, Longcol said:

Probably because it was on the "O" level syllabus?

I guess so. I don’t doubt the war poets made a valuable contribution to literature but as a way to grab the interest of 14/15 year olds on the subject then epic fail. All I remember about it is the teachers dreary voice and the fact that he had one jug ear. It was a double lesson and we just zoned out and stared at his jug ear. One kid used to pretend to have fits and throw himself out of his chair just to provide some interest. The only line of poetry I can remember from this was something about “The leathery limbs of Upper Lambourne “ Wtf.

[cuttsie]

1 hour ago, cressida said:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thank you

[hackey lad]

A bit highbrow , this thread . Never got into poetry . Closest I got was some of John Cooper Clarkes or Sheffields finest Mark Miwurdz 

[cressida]

7 minutes ago, cuttsie said:

Thank you

 I wanted it on record here for you 🙂

3 minutes ago, hackey lad said:

A bit highbrow , this thread . Never got into poetry . Closest I got was some of John Cooper Clarkes or Sheffields finest Mark Miwurdz 

I don't read poetry all the time,  remember school poems - The Ancient Mariner,  Hiawatha - went on for ages,  The Lady of Shallot - bit scary.

Good idea to have a small book of the most popular ones,  they're not too highbrow.

[Padders]

42 minutes ago, hackey lad said:

A bit highbrow , this thread . Never got into poetry . Closest I got was some of John Cooper Clarkes or Sheffields finest Mark Miwurdz 

Same here Hackey,

I always thought Poetry was something that grew on Poe-Trees.

[PRESLEY]

Poetry, flippin depressing,  I would rather hear something like,  I once knew a Farmers Daughter ect, ect, or summat.  

[harvey19]

2 minutes ago, PRESLEY said:

Poetry, flippin depressing,  I would rather hear something like,  I once knew a Farmers Daughter ect, ect, or summat.  

The boy stood on the blazing deck picking his nose like mad,

Rolling them into little balls and flicking them at his dad.

 

Poetry I learnt at school , but not by the teachers.

[Anna B]

13 hours ago, Jim117 said:

When I was at school the kids who were good at English were moved up to the English Lit class, myself included. First topic up was the First World War poets, a subject so dreary that we dropped like flies back into the regular English class. Such a gross mismanagement of teaching killed my interest in poetry for life!

That is so sad. 

 

Just shows how important inspirational teachers are in shaping young minds.

 

They can change  kids for life. Or not, if you get a crap one....