An Imaginary Letter To James Stephens

James Stephens of your poems I've taken note And i think you are under rated poet And your works compare with your Irish contemporary greats With Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats. To criticize your work would seem unfair As with the best your verses can compare And in your work see mental pictures here and there And i loved that poem the poem you called 'The Snare'. I read that poem and re-read it again And i could see the rabbit in his pain And i could see you searching everywhere To find the little rabbit in the snare. Your verses show your sensitivity And what a gentle human you must be And to myself i oft times do recite Those many unforgettable lyrics you did write. 'Shaymus Beg' and 'Mad Patsy' i love those two These verses show a humorous side to you Sensitivity and humour you combine And none to match you in the shorter rhyme. And though the critics do not rate you high Good poet your simple verses i enjoy And you are equal to the Irish greats To Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats.