Banjo Paterson

[Touchstone]

Did you say that you liked Banjo Paterson (sp?) Poemfinder sent me a poem/tale of his about a barber who cuts a man's throat (as a joke!) etc. etc......it didn't seem to be a particularly noteworthy piece of poetry. It sounded like the kind of stuff I can write without breaking into a sweat.

If he was posting on here I would have a hard job finding anything very positive to say about his verse.

It sounds like you're suggesting poets should avoid ugly subjects. Or, at least, that any such efforts will inevitably fall short of mediocrity.

I think that's wrong. There are, always have been and always will be people in the world who commit acts of violence for their own pleasure. That being the case, I think poets are as justifed in exploring that aspect of life as they are in addressing clouds floating on high.

As for having "a hard job finding anything very positive to say about his verse" presumably you could manage a few kind words about Hamlet--which seethes with treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.

I don't know the poem in question (or even the title, which I'd google if anyone would share it) and I'm not claiming Patterson is on a par with Shakespeare but he is a recognised poet. I'm sure the poem can't be totally lacking in any merit.