POSEURS in POESY – Wyleian Sonnet No. XXI
It seems to us that some who delve too deep
Into their dictionaries, hoping to impress
With grandiloquent verbiage, only keep
Piling pretentious words but saying less.
”Who use the biggest words have least to say”
Is a maxim every would-be poet should learn.
If Muses were allowed to have their way,
Ostentatious words they’d obdurately spurn.
A verbose write without depth in the writing
Isn’t poetry - it’s affectatious dribble.
Profundity should ever be exciting
Otherwise it just becomes sententious scribble.
Use common, work-day English to ensure
Your message isn’t senselessly obscure.
Hugh Wyles & SusanL, 31st. October, 2004.
Author notes
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Written October 31st, 2004
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1 - 9 of 9
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Loved This!!!! (muahahahahaha!)
Very clever and SO true.
Just as in music, if a piece gets too busy one misses the true meaning
Thanks for sharing this great write!
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Oh, thank you, thank you, Hugh and Susan for this amusing and sensible poem. There's times when I envy those poets on here for coming up with expressive words, but oft times it's overdone.
I'm afraid I'm not imaginative enough and although I DO have Roget's Thesaurus right here, I seldom think to use it.
I like this little reminder that what we have to say in our poetry is usually best said from our hearts and our heads, not from a dictionary.
Excellent write
luv and
Dee
You two have -
I totally agree with you... I've been slapped on my wrist before for using too much of thesarus... I'm glad you've confirmed that... I'm chuffed... I'll visit and read more of your master pieces...
mina -
it was clever to use words that drove the point home in a not so subtle way, I found that humourous. and once again I agree with you completely and once more well said am looking to more.
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I would applaud and comment
if i could but comprehend
the greatest difficulty
is that I have lost my dictionary -
This was so fun to write... Trying to find just the right multisyllable word to fit where a couple small words would say the same. Do you think there is a dicionary of obscure words somewhere? maybe we could use that next time???
Because I am sure we could have got this to the point where it needed a translation if we had really tried!
Too much fun... Hope no one was too offended.. But then agian I guess they would have had to read it to get offended!
Your Forever Gen -
Dear Hugh, You already know my views on this subject. Great write again both of you.
XXOOXX Anne -
Many times it happens that I need to use the dictionary while reading a poem...look for so many words, so much trouble and at the end the darn poem makes no sense at all. I guess taht some writers like to impress the readers using the most 'fancy' words they know, mix all together trying to get a spetaculair effect, give the readers a headache and all for nothing.
You two have made a very good point in this very amusing sonnet!
Ah, which has imageries enough by the way
Way to go guys!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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You are so right Hugh and Gen, using common work day English is much more easier to understand as most people find it hard to understand all the long unnesessary words. Well done both of you, another great sonnet~hugs to you both~bea
Edited on Nov 01, 8:32 p.m. because ''.
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