Quote:
|
The poem asserts a beat of its own which is simple and clear. I believe a child would not stumble on it.
|
I'm with you on the first part Janet, I believe the poem asserts its own beat (which may be clear though I am not so certain it is simple). Re. a child's reading, it depends on the child. Many children tend to recite poems rather mechanically; I certainly did as a child, up to the age of 13 or 14 probably, when I suddenly discovered the dramatic power of imagery.
I agree that many of the lines are 3-stress, but not
that many. Again, I really do think the third line loses a deal of dramatic energy (not to mention music) if "champed" is flattened in a tri- or tetrasyllabic rush to get to GRAsses. That seems simple and clear enough to
me anyway.
But as you say Janet, who the hell cares? The Listeners is marvellously atmospheric, and I've enjoyed rereading it (almost have it by heart now).