The Proud Poet

Yes, he was proud... outspoken, too And quick to give his point of view And slow to praise what others did, A spoilt brat, a spoilt kid... Yes, he was proud and criticised, All other poets were downsized, When in full flow, declined to halt, Yet he was honest to a fault... Yes, he was proud, but there's no doubt He knew what he was all about... His books sold well, he wanted more, He entertained, he knew the score... Yes, he was proud, but life's a game, To be well-known was his first aim... That's why the papers loved him so And quoted him when in full flow... Yes, he was proud, a character And like a villain, as it were... But he stirred poets far and wide When he hurt them, yes, deep inside... So let's not judge him at his worst And pray to God that he be cursed, For he provoked the better part In service to this thing called art... Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2012.