In my many long years of counselling students, one of the more poignant moments was being told by a young guy, in explanation of the difficulties he was having getting his essays in on time, that his girlfriend had run off with a poet. I was, naturally, most sympathetic. But I have long wondered whether he would have been due more sympathy or less had his girlfriend left him, say, for a rugby player - who might, for all one knows, have been a poet in his own domain.
Why do I tell you this story? Just as a way of introducing the latest in the series of normblog polls. I am inviting you to send me the names of your three favourite English-language poets. No need to rank them; each vote will count for one. The closing date is October 31.
Not compulsory and not part of the poll: if you care to send me, with your entry, a favourite poem (preferably with a link for it), please do.
