This book is a little different for me. I picked it up today, on the strength of the title and the attractive little volumes (I got both in first edition bindings). But even at the bookstore as I flipped through looking at the verses I was charmed with them.
In my first impressions of this hitherto unknown-to-me poet, I’d have said he was definitely an American. Who else would pen verses on hoping to be a man the American flag could be proud of? Imagine my delight and surprise on discovering he was an immigrant! He came to the US, per his biography, at the impressionable age of 10 from Great Britain. Looking at his work I can say he certainly threw himself into the feeling of his new home heart and soul. It reminds me of Sarah Hoyt and her USAian story, and of Kate Paulk and her citizenship – which I was proud to be in the audience for. These little books endeared themselves to me in a matter of moments.
There are a few of his poems available online, like this ode of ‘Only a Dad.’
It’s not the great poetry, but it has heart. If some of it is doggerel, well, there’s nothing wrong with that from time to time. Most of his work seems to be short, but poignant. I prefer shorter poems with more punch than the neverending lays of some poets I could name.
And I am very happy with my whim of buying these little books. I’ll come back to Just Folks another time, all the photos above are from Heap O’ Livin.’
Comments
5 responses to “Bibliophilia: A Heap O’ Livin’”
Who wrote the extended lays you refer to? Coleridge? The Rape of Lucrece? Or even Homer?
I’d have to go dig through a book. Was looking at one recently that made my eyes cross. I’m not saying all long poetry is tedious. But some…!
I am sad but not particularly surprised that you were unfamiliar with Edgar Guest. He was a populist poet, who used the form to speak to common people, and as such he is despised by those literary types who consider Ezra Pound to be the acme of poetry because no one can possibly understand a word of it. I was fortunate to be exposed to my grandmother’s old books and encountered poetry that’s enjoyable long before I had to deal with the subject in school.
Thank you! I hadn’t thought about Guest in years. I don’t have any of his books of poetry, but I have a couple of his poems saved to my harddrive ‘ ‘Can’t’ and ‘It Couldn’t Be Done’. I went and read them just now, and they’re as inspiring as I remember. I’m so glad you found him, too.
So when does Sarah write the part about her USAians being haunted by the ghost of Edgar Guest? Literally haunted by the ghost of Edgar Guest. I think he would make a great character addition.