Carol Ann Duffy leaves office in May, who will replace her? Runners include, Simon Armitage, Daljit Nagra, Patience Agbabi, Vahni Capideo, Wendy Cope, and Benjamin Zephaniah, Jackie Kay, Roger McGough, Pam Ayres ..., who should get it?
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I've enjoyed Armitage's versions of Gawain and the Green Knight, and Pearl, and also his broadcasts on radio and TV about poetry. He's a wonderful communicator, but his own verse does not appeal or resonate so much. As for the others in the list, I've either not heard of, or care for them.
Alice Oswald has the English terrain embodied in her work, like Hughes. But perhaps she is too interior - the role seems to require responses to national events (might Duffy write a Brexit poem before her tenure ends?)
What is the rubric? If Commonwealth poets are permitted then I would advocate Stephen Edgar. He can write on how big and abstract stuff - Apollo 11, Voyager, fractals - impact upon the quotidian - which could fit the role, albeit rejigged. I fancy he could make something worthwhile of a coronation, and the next incumbent may be required to do so.
But for all this, my money is on Zephaniah. -
I do like Pam Ayres, Benjamin Zephania and Roger McGough but if any of them get made Poet Laureate then Western Civilization might as well spend the rest of its days sitting in the park. But then I suppose that Alfred Austin and Alfred Noyes ,made it and John Galsworthy got the Nobel prize,so somehow civilisation always survives the silliness of a bunch of judges.Comment
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Gillian ClarkeComment
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I'd gained the distinct impression that Zephaniah had made it very clear that he's not at all interested in even being considered for the post.Comment
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Ian McMillan.Comment
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Oh I hope not - dreadful doggerel that makes Betjeman's verse seem like Keats.Originally posted by cloughie View PostComment
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As Barry Norman said: 'And why not? (Perhaps we could have a referendum: Ian, Pam or NPLAA (No Poet Laurate At All)Originally posted by cloughie View PostComment
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Well, if that is your opinion so be it. Just out of interest what is the legacy of our current, about to be retired poet laureate. Not exactly inspiring - I know little about her or what she has written that the nation will remember. Maybe I’ve missed something, someone please enlighten me!Originally posted by Barbirollians View PostComment
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Do we REALLY want somebody from (gulp) BARNSLEY as Poet Laureate? Apart from anything else, we would have to recruit subtitling experts and translators so that those down South could understand his work.Originally posted by cloughie View PostComment
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You cheeky Southern (space for expletive of your choice)! He may have an accent but his grammar is good!Originally posted by LMcD View Post
What do YOU know about Barnsley - have you ever been there? Have you ever lived near there?Comment
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I'm actually a deeply misunderstood 'Easterner', but the lady wife and I* have visited Yorkshire several times and have suffered no ill-effects that we're aware of.Originally posted by cloughie View PostYou cheeky Southern (space for expletive of your choice)! He may have an accent but his grammar is good!
(* We're great admirers of 'The Brigadier')Comment
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Why not Wendy Cope?Comment
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Lots of his nonsense on buildings in Sheffield . I agree why not Wendy Cope .Originally posted by DracoM View PostComment
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