The Influential Poets

A poet friend of mine reflects a widely held view when he says that T.S. Eliot revolutionised modern poetry.

Having read poetry all my life, I have come under the influence of many different styles of poetry and have internalised those schemes and rhyming patterns that appealed most to my natural inclination. Some say that this is reflected in my writing...some even say there is an edge of another century in my voice? Well, I am not so sure of that. What I am sure of, is that many writers have contributed to the way I think. Exposing yourself to a range of authors will assist you in finding a style of composition that suits your natural inclination.

Here is a video presentation of T.S. Elliot reading Part 1 of the Wastelands...some of the images give us a living insight to the man and the voice helps us to see how great poetry is constructed and how vocal presentation has changed in modern times. Click On This Text To View. In a later posting I will present a modern reader reciting The Hollow Men by Eliot, in it you will find that a different voice helps you to access the emotion of the poem. This is my favourite recitation of that poem.