Rocky Stoneberg wrote:

> Will Dockery wrote:
>>
>> Sorry, Pendragon, but many of the giants you listed are fading into obscurity.

>> Ask the average person an find out for yourself.

>> HTH and HAND.

> Quite sad but yes true....

As you pointed out, modern audiences are more likely to know poetry in Hip Hop and Rap forms.

Will Dockery wrote:
>
> At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.

Unless it is perhaps Hip Hop poetry or Drake... for two examples....

George J. Dance wrote:

> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
>> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>>
>>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
>>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
>>> [...]
>>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
>>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
>>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
>>> For O! it is not always May!
>>> [...]
>>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
>>
>> Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?

> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
> difficulty understanding it.

> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
> I could state you only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:

> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
> It was [something, something] in '75;
> Hardly a man is still alive
> Who remembers that famous day and year."

> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.

Well put, George.

Will Dockery wrote:
>
> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.

> HTH and HAND.

> 🙂

Quite true....

Victor H. wrote:

> Will Dockery wrote:
>>
>> At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.

> Unless it is perhaps Hip Hop poetry or Drake... for two examples....

True.

General-Zod wrote:

> Will Dockery wrote:
>>
>> Yes, not known to the general public = obscure.

>> HTH and HAND.

> As most poetry is now to the general public in the modern age....

Exceptions being Hip Hop and slam poets.

Michael Pendragon wrote:

> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:28:36 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
>
>> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.
>>
>> HTH and HAND.

> No Donkey, it doesn't.

Yes, monkey, it does.

HTH and HAND.

Will Dockery wrote:
>
> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.

> HTH and HAND.

> 🙂

You nailed it....

Will Dockery wrote:
>
> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.

> HTH and HAND.

> 🙂

Well put and spot on...

Victor H. wrote:

> Will Dockery wrote:
>
>> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.

>> HTH and HAND.

>>

> Well put and spot on...

I just call it like I see it.

George J. Dance wrote:
>
> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> [...]
> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> For O! it is not always May!
> [...]
> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html

Another read, quite enjoyable...!