Geoff Chaucer Reads Tom Eliot Poem by Michael Shepherd

and then he got buried in the parish of St Michael...... Excellent read M - expect nothynge lesse.... t x

This is beyond awesome writing, bring back memories of the Hated Chaucer from school. How we struggled, with the footnote translations available! Where were those footnotes on this one? ? ? I needed them!

Michael, this is masterful. Though light-hearted in spirit, the poem is cleverly and accurately structured and easily comprehensible. That is quite an achievement, even from one of your talent. You have demonstrated brilliantly the words 'Imitation is the springboard of creation' love, Allie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mark, I'm told that people learn primarily by one of three ways: precept, or instruction, or example (that's imitation, for some) . I learn a lot about poetry-writing by imitation. I learned more about Chaucer and his mind, by this harmless exercise, that I'd ever have guessed... the way that he used iambic pentameter 'blank verse' before Shakespeare, and differently; and that his poetic 'ear' still heard traditional Anglo-Saxon alliteration - which leads to a certain 'music' in the poetry whereby repetition of consonants or vowels produce echoes that strike the ear as almost half-rhymes - like the two lines around himself and deference. wow.

Just caught this - great poem Michael; an interesting mixture of speculation and creativity. -LP

This is outstanding Michael. The imagination at work is mind-boggling. But what stands out most is a sheer craftsmanship and an incredible literary mind.

Not too many folks can evoke Old English and get away with it, but you do it masterfully here!