How well the old sits with the new,
Giving what is minimal
An interest and theme;
A neutral canvas
Where there is everything to learn.
How weak the new fits with the old,
Cheapening the substantial,
Marking out a struggle
Between bold principles
And inevitable entropy.
A very clever and intelligent poem that is a lot deper than it first appears! Well done! Neil.
old substantial words linger in new speech...............thoughtful and appreciative....John
Tks very much mr.Young i enjoyed them all profoundly astonishing
the old teaches and guides the new. at the same time one shall not hold on to the old fanatically. nice theme dear poet. thank u
@Ramesh Rai: That depends if its made out of MDF or chipbard with a melamine coating, rickety legs etc... Give me solid oak anyday.
I do like this one; and your explanation (below) is helpful, thanks.
In response to the previous comment by Ruth Walters: I suppose it does depend on the interaction between the two. Think of the poem in terms of the cheapening insubstantial state of things in a contemporary setting against the bold and substantial in a historical sense. One could refer to furniture in a room, a selection of hymns bound together, old architecture against new, the struggle of new and old ideas and/or a watering down of standards. I use the word entropy to mean the eventual decay that everything submits to in the end. I hope this clarifies.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Mmmmmmm - the hymnologist in me picks up a lot here which you may not intend... but then again..... well done!