An Imaginary Letter To James Stephens Poem by Francis Duggan

James Stephens of your poems I've taken note
And i think you are under rated poet
And your works compare with your Irish contemporary greats
With Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats.

To criticize your work would seem unfair
As with the best your verses can compare
And in your work see mental pictures here and there
And i loved that poem the poem you called 'The Snare'.

I read that poem and re-read it again
And i could see the rabbit in his pain
And i could see you searching everywhere
To find the little rabbit in the snare.

Your verses show your sensitivity
And what a gentle human you must be
And to myself i oft times do recite
Those many unforgettable lyrics you did write.

'Shaymus Beg' and 'Mad Patsy' i love those two
These verses show a humorous side to you
Sensitivity and humour you combine
And none to match you in the shorter rhyme.

And though the critics do not rate you high
Good poet your simple verses i enjoy
And you are equal to the Irish greats
To Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats.