The Proud Poet Poem by Denis Martindale

Yes, he was proud... outspoken, too
And quick to give his point of view
And slow to praise what others did,
A spoilt brat, a spoilt kid...

Yes, he was proud and criticised,
All other poets were downsized,
When in full flow, declined to halt,
Yet he was honest to a fault...

Yes, he was proud, but there's no doubt
He knew what he was all about...
His books sold well, he wanted more,
He entertained, he knew the score...

Yes, he was proud, but life's a game,
To be well-known was his first aim...
That's why the papers loved him so
And quoted him when in full flow...

Yes, he was proud, a character
And like a villain, as it were...
But he stirred poets far and wide
When he hurt them, yes, deep inside...

So let's not judge him at his worst
And pray to God that he be cursed,
For he provoked the better part
In service to this thing called art...



Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2012.