Poets Between the Wars

I rarely read poetry and so this was quite a departure for me. Nevertheless I found some poems that really spoke to me.

Probably my favourite is E.J. Pratt's epic poem "Towards the Last Spike". As you might guess from the title it is about the building of the CPR across the country to BC. I really got a sense of what a daunting effort this was from the poem.

The poems of F.R. Scott are not epics but his political leanings (he was involved with the beginnings of the CCF) underpin many of his works. I especially enjoyed "The Canadian Social Register".

I suspect this book was used by some Canadian literature student to study Dorothy Livesay's poetry as evidenced by marginal comments in that section only. Livesay is the only woman present show more in this group of 5 poets which may or may not reflect the times. However, I was somewhat miffed by the fact that the woman is the only one whose first name was used in full whereas the men are referred to by their initials. I guess I should be thankful that she wasn't referred to as Mrs. Duncan Macnair. I thought this quote from "Improvisations on an Old Theme" would be a fitting quote for a eulogy:
"If I must go, let it be easy, slow
The curve complete, and a sure swerve
To the goal."
Maybe I'll have to ask for that! show less