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A Tale of the 'Evans, v. 3, issue 4, Fall 1945
Page 9
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POETRY VS. VERSE. There has been quite a bit of discussion recently in FAPA, and elsewhere in Fandom concerning the different types of poetry -- being called forth more particularly by those who are devotees of the older, classic forms, as against those who like best the newer, the more modernistic forms, as printed in the Watson-Ebey mag, and others. It is not my intention to enter hereinto that discussion, but to call attention to still a third type of versification which has not yet been especially mentioned, and of which I have perhaps as good and complete a knowledge as any other person in Fandom. That is the distinct and separate verse known as "Newspaper Verse". This is the type of thing so well exemplified in the work of Eddie Guest, and many others. Newspaper Verse calls for a different approach than that usually found in the worl of either the new or the older poets. It may be written in either the classic or the modernistic form, for it is in the CONTENT of the verse that the main differentiation appears, not in the FORM itself. This type of versification is for the consumption of those who look within it for a distinct message. It must be topical, flavored with the things of importance of the day and age. It must usually have a cheerful message of hope and gaiety that will uplift the spirits in the beginning of the day. It must also usually pint a moral that is thought-provoking and at the same time worthy of emulation. In the truest sense, it is not poetry, although it adheres to the form of poetry. and yet in another sense, it is poetry of the best type. Newspaper Verse must be something that will give a new hope to those who are doleful or discouraged; it must give pleasure to those who are sad; and it must give an added smile of joy and of gladness to those already happy with the prospect of another bright day of labor and pleasure. To speak of myself, I have written, and had published, well over 400 pieces of verse. Of these, perhaps a dozen could really be determined pure poetry. The rest were Newspaper Verse, pure and unadulterated "drivel" though they may seem to some so-called sophisticated intellectuals. They are written about the little homey things of life; about the topics of the day; about the foibles and fears and hpes and aspirations of the common people; about the writer's own life, family, children and doings. For instance, here is one from my scrapbook about one of our most prized and loved holidays: THANKSGIVING? Prepare the turkey, noble bird, With dressing rich surround it; Bake pies and cakes -- forth goes the word And let no one confound it. Thanksgiving day is drawing near And we must eat, be merry, And spend the day is festal cheer, Nor stingy be, nor chary.
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POETRY VS. VERSE. There has been quite a bit of discussion recently in FAPA, and elsewhere in Fandom concerning the different types of poetry -- being called forth more particularly by those who are devotees of the older, classic forms, as against those who like best the newer, the more modernistic forms, as printed in the Watson-Ebey mag, and others. It is not my intention to enter hereinto that discussion, but to call attention to still a third type of versification which has not yet been especially mentioned, and of which I have perhaps as good and complete a knowledge as any other person in Fandom. That is the distinct and separate verse known as "Newspaper Verse". This is the type of thing so well exemplified in the work of Eddie Guest, and many others. Newspaper Verse calls for a different approach than that usually found in the worl of either the new or the older poets. It may be written in either the classic or the modernistic form, for it is in the CONTENT of the verse that the main differentiation appears, not in the FORM itself. This type of versification is for the consumption of those who look within it for a distinct message. It must be topical, flavored with the things of importance of the day and age. It must usually have a cheerful message of hope and gaiety that will uplift the spirits in the beginning of the day. It must also usually pint a moral that is thought-provoking and at the same time worthy of emulation. In the truest sense, it is not poetry, although it adheres to the form of poetry. and yet in another sense, it is poetry of the best type. Newspaper Verse must be something that will give a new hope to those who are doleful or discouraged; it must give pleasure to those who are sad; and it must give an added smile of joy and of gladness to those already happy with the prospect of another bright day of labor and pleasure. To speak of myself, I have written, and had published, well over 400 pieces of verse. Of these, perhaps a dozen could really be determined pure poetry. The rest were Newspaper Verse, pure and unadulterated "drivel" though they may seem to some so-called sophisticated intellectuals. They are written about the little homey things of life; about the topics of the day; about the foibles and fears and hpes and aspirations of the common people; about the writer's own life, family, children and doings. For instance, here is one from my scrapbook about one of our most prized and loved holidays: THANKSGIVING? Prepare the turkey, noble bird, With dressing rich surround it; Bake pies and cakes -- forth goes the word And let no one confound it. Thanksgiving day is drawing near And we must eat, be merry, And spend the day is festal cheer, Nor stingy be, nor chary.
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