Brian Patten

(7 February 1946 / Liverpool / England)

poet Brian Patten
#67 on top 500 poets

Comments about Brian Patten

  • Brigie Murphy (6/21/2015 6:03:00 AM)

    Hi, I am doing one of your poems for my drama exam, it is... A SMALL DRAGON. I really like this poem

    17 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • Afifa Ahmed (2/7/2015 5:55:00 AM)

    Please can I have the answer today as I need it for homework

    11 person liked.
    		18 person did not like.
  • Afifa Ahmed (2/7/2015 5:54:00 AM)

    What is the figurative language used in this poem

    10 person liked.
    		18 person did not like.
  • Phil Whiting (10/11/2014 5:51:00 AM)

    I always liked your poem, 'Going to dinner' but can't find it on this website. Thanks. Phil W

    15 person liked.
    		13 person did not like.
  • Paul Sebastian Paul Sebastian (3/17/2014 1:17:00 AM)

    Dear Brian,
    Your poem, Nothing is Ever As You Want it to Be, is brilliant!
    Thanks.

    Paul Sebastan

    23 person liked.
    		16 person did not like.
  • Shatha Alsaadi (3/29/2012 1:44:00 AM)

    Dear Brian,

    How very nice to write to you and I remember that I was intyroduced to your poems when I was in Cambridge and I bought the little book which has great poems. I feel when read your poems, I feel the depth of feeling that I cannot fathom. I read YOU POEM Room which says:
    Room you're toneless now,
    Room you do'nt belong to me
    I want another room I want one
    without your tattymemories.
    Loads of Great wishes
    Shatha Alsaadi

    26 person liked.
    		24 person did not like.
  • Eric Toft (3/17/2012 9:20:00 AM)

    I believe we all have shared an emotion that Sir Patten has told. If we just admit it!

    26 person liked.
    		27 person did not like.
  • Vladimir Stojnic (4/11/2008 11:56:00 AM)

    I read poems by Brian Patten in serbian. They were brilliantly translated into serbian by writer David Albahari. My favorite poem is No taxi available. Can anybody post that poem here or give me a link to it. I would love to have that poem as original in english.

    24 person liked.
    		31 person did not like.
  • Anna Russell (9/9/2006 5:40:00 PM)

    There should be a law that states every human being should have to read at least one Brian Patten poem in their lifetime. Each piece is a gem all of its own. His writing is direct, funny, sad, beautiful and heartwarming, sometimes all at the same time. Never pretentious, always readable - to me, this is poetry at its best.
    Hugs
    Anna xxx

    31 person liked.
    		22 person did not like.
  • Lenchen Elf (1/8/2005 7:39:00 PM)

    I read and re read Brian Pattens work (this is just a tiny sample) and the sheer delight never fades. His poetry and stories for children are worth seeking out, if you haven't any children, borrow a class from your local school, just for the pleasure of reading the poems aloud and watching the faces shine.

    12 person liked.
    		15 person did not like.
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Best Poem of Brian Patten

And Nothing Is Ever As You Want It To Be

You lose your love for her and then
It is her who is lost,
And then it is both who are lost,
And nothing is ever as perfect as you want it to be.

In a very ordinary world
A most extraordinary pain mingles with the small routines,
The loss seems huge and yet
Nothing can be pinned down or fully explained.

You are afraid.
If you found the perfect love
It would scald your hands,
Rip the skin from your nerves,
Cause havoc with a computered heart.

You lose your love for her and then it is her who is lost.
You tried not to hurt and ...

Read the full of And Nothing Is Ever As You Want It To Be

When You Wake Tomorrow

I will give you a poem when you wake tomorrow.
It will be a peaceful poem.
It won’t make you sad.
It won’t make you miserable.
It will simply be a poem to give you
When you wake tomorrow.

It was not written by myself alone.
I cannot lay claim to it.

Read more »
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