Fashions Are A Passing Phase For Friend Jon London Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

I read your words with greatest care
and try to see your point of view
Although sometimes I must declare
I find it difficult to do.

I hesitate to criticise.
Aware the fault may lie with me.
Nor dare I offer you advice.
You might resent it bitterly.

The messages you try to send
to me lack simple clarity
I cannot see what you intend.
It makes no sense at all to me.

Your random thoughts lack coherence
They’re neither poetry nor prose.
An unintended consequence
of fashions changing I suppose.

The way that poetry is taught
in schools and colleges today.
They do not know although they ought.
Anything goes is not the way.

Most modern so called poetry
can only be poetic prose
Although it’s written beautifully
Opinions differ I suppose.

I’ll stick to formal poetry
Perhaps I need the discipline
that rhyme and meter gives to me.
And free form verse I will decline.

2-Feb-09

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