My Desert Island Choices

First, I just want to say that this was really hard for me.   I am not as well-read as I would like, and most poems I read are by modern poets, so making a decision was hard.
However, these are my Desert Island Poems.


Monday : - "Dulce Et Decorum Est (Pro Patria Mori)" by Wilfred Owen
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/3336-Wilfred-Owen-Dulce-Et-Decorum-Est-Pro-Patria-Mori

When I was about 14/15, as part of my English Literature class, I compared this poem to one by Tennyson. I was blown away by the truth Owen put into this poem, and indeed all of his works. When this poem was written the old Victorian idea that war was glorious and that those involved should be honoured that they were serving their country was still in place. While I agree that defending your country is a loyal and courageous thing to do, I despise the fact that in a country which a few decades before had been at the peak of the British Empire, very forward-thinking, industrialised, valuing science more than faith, could just tell young men to throw their lives away like that. Owen was young, yet his words go beyond his years. He witnessed first hand the brutality of war and he was not afraid to make his opinions public. This poem to me signals the start of truth in poem, and condemning what the leaders of a country say - the very title of the poem shows this. This poem being my favourite is partly to do with Owen's background and story, and partly to do with the actual wording of the piece. Studying it over 80 years after it was written, it still touched me, and I think that shows a timeless piece.


Tuesday : - "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/2906-Dylan-Thomas-Do-not-go-gentle-into-that-good-night

I have always been a fan of Dylan Thomas, as my family is from Laugharne and apparently I am distantly related to him (very distantly).   This is one of the first poems I remember reading, and whenever I hear the phrase "do not go gently" I think of this poem.   For me, it is another timeless piece.   Apart from the personal connection, and the pride I feel in a fellow Welshman, I think this poem is wonderful.   Many people could see it as being rather morbid, but I see it as inspirational and encouraging people to fight for life and to appreciate it.   Dylan Thomas manages to use the musical nature which is associated with the Welsh (singing is a major part of or culture) and write a poem which is so lilting and lyrical.   I would recommend people to find a Welsh friends (preferably from the South Wales Valleys) to read this to you.   The piece is lovely to read anyway, but in the rolling lilt of the Welsh it is just beautiful.

Wednesday : - "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/33925-Rupert-Brooke-The-War-Sonnets---V-The-Soldier

I think most people know of this poem, and for good reason.  I find it almost heart-wrenching and very poignant.   However, it is also inspirational and I find the fact that Brooke wrote this as his own epitaph really makes this poem very emotive.   I also think that with the recent discussion over possible building a motorway over some of the British war graves is an insult to the memory of those who died, and the lines in this poem, "That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England." really reflects the views of many British people over this controversial proposal.

Thursday : - "In Flanders Field" by John McCrae

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/6634-John-McCrae-In-Flanders-Field

Again, a very well-known poem based on war.   Like the above poem, I find this piece very inspiring and poignant.   I think it is a very well well-written piece, tinged with sadness, yet still managing to present beautiful and evocative imagery.   It is a very emotional piece and is written with great consideration to the rhythm of the piece.   McCrae manages to use poetic devices well in this piece, but remembers that the wording in the piece is most important.   I also find his personal story very inspiring - that he was of great importance in the war, but like many others, lost his life for what he believed in.

Friday : - "All The World's A Stage" by William Shakespeare

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/15490-William-Shakespeare-All-The-World-s-A-Stage

I have always been a fan of Shakespeare.   I had memorised the first act of "Macbeth" at an early age, and was one of the few people in school who loved studying his works.   I find his plays to be excellent pieces of work, even with the controversy surrounding them, and I love the fact that one man alone developed the English language so much.   I think his sonnets are very well written, with great rhythm and such expressive language.   It is hard to choose just one, but I think this poem is a great example of his work.   It is expressive, with wonderful language, and I love the idea behind it.   It is also an oft-quoted line - "all the world's a stage" and I love the fact that a piece of writing from 400 years ago can impact so much on the whole world.

Saturday : - "The Welsh Sea" by James Elroy Fletcher

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/31650-James-Elroy-Flecker-The-Welsh-Sea

This poem is quite an interesting one.   I think it is quite short, but it manages to reference so much.   My obvious first interest in it came from the Welsh connection, but the more I read it, the more I appreciate it.  Fletcher uses some wonderful imagery in this piece - I think it flows so well.   Again, this is one that I think works really well in the Welsh lilting tones, and I just find it a beautiful piece.

Sunday : - "Cymru" by George Essex Evans

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/30803-George-Essex-Evans-Cymru

The first time I read this poem I hated it.   I thought it was too wordy and it didn't grab my attention.   However, something must have stuck as I later looked it up, and read through it properly and was able to appreciate the poem.   The language used is quite difficult to understand, but works really well, and when you actually concentrate and read through the piece you actually begin to understand and appreciate the wording.   I also love the many Welsh references - I am proud of my heritage and to see so many things mentioned in a great poetic way is just wonderful.

Well, those are my choices.   I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

:)