Some bloggers have special cat blogging days. Here Thursday has just become poet blogging day - for the next month at any rate. Today is a good day to start, seeing as it's National Poetry Day.
That also makes it an ideal day to remind you of my poets poll, for which I've invited you to send me the names of your three favourite English-language poets. The poll is off to an encouraging start, but I'd like to keep the entries flowing at a good, even pace. So please get yours in if you haven't already. The details are here.
Towards National Poetry Day and the normblog poets poll both - this poem sent in with his entry by Chris Smith...
For Sidney Bechet, by Philip Larkin
That note you hold, narrowing and rising, shakes
Like New Orleans reflected on the water,
And in all ears appropriate falsehood wakes,
Building for some a legendary Quarter
Of balconies, flower-baskets and quadrilles,
Everyone making love and going shares--
Oh, play that thing! Mute glorious Storyvilles
Others may license, grouping around their chairs
Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced
Far above rubies) to pretend their fads,
While scholars manqués nod around unnoticed
Wrapped up in personnels like old plaids.
On me your voice falls as they say love should,
Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City
Is where your speech alone is understood,
And greeted as the natural noise of good,
Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity.