The Greek Poet Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

The Greek Poet

I'm trying to read the work of a Greek poet
I have tried to read it before until overcome by tedium.
I'm trying again.
I read slowly while pain is dripping, an awful lot of flowers
In her verses, heartache and all that.
Some of her poems are good but they suffer from being placed
Among mediocrity and it is painful.
Her book is too long and that perhaps is the problem with
All poetry is "too long" twenty pages are enough
To keep reader interest, but publishers want longer books
For their own reason. Too many poems spoil the cream
Of poetry.
I've put the book back on the shelf of dust, pick up
Another book of poetry that is mercifully slim, after lunch
I will try to read it.