Causa Belli
They read good books, and quote, but never learn
a language other than the scream of rocket-burn
Our straighter talk is drowned but ironclad;
elections, money, empire, oil and Dad.
Commentary
A bit late for your series on war poems, but topical nonetheless is the latest poem by Andrew Motion the Poet Laureate. (The United Kingdom’s poet laureate I should say).
Here’s some references, with some commentary
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2641477.stm#quote
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,871251,00.html
The role of Poet Laureate is an odd one, and I have been unable to Google out an official definition. However here’s an interview with Andrew Motion who talks a bit about what he thinks the role is
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/840752.stm
The poem itself I find disappointing - I’ve thought about it a bit now, but I’m not at sure I know what he’s really trying to say…or is that just me?
But it must be anti-war, anyway - it says so in all the newspapers :-)
Cheers
Steve Axbey
Martin adds
Apparently Steve wasn’t the only one disappointed - take a look at http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=3E20FAB8.C94A1B82%40arvig.net&rnum=1
My favourite quote: “Call me old-fashioned but I don’t think you can extensively parody a poem without a guest turn from at least one dear gazelle.”
Amen, say I :)
Show 5 commentsHide comments
From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
Rebecca · 14 January 2003
May not be great but I found it succint. R. Thomas
Therold Farmer · 4 April 2003
Our own former Laureate, Mr. Pinsky, published his response to this poem in January, in the midst of much saber rattling but before Baghdad was bombed. If anyone knows of his or other U.S. poets’ later reactions to Motion’s Causa Belli, I would appreciate knowing of them.
In January I found the poem interesting. In April I find it powerful to the point that my eyes water a bit. “Our straighter talk is drowned . . . .”
Ours, ours, indeed.
TF
Amit Chakrabarti · 12 April 2003
Actually I think it’s clear what the message is. “They” quote and give elaborate reasons justifying the attack [on Iraq, which eventually happened in March 2003], whereas “we” know that it’s all simple: it’s really about “elections, money, empire, oil and Dad.”
Maybe some people can’t identify with the “we” in this poem, but those who can will have no doubt about what Andrew Motion’s message is.
Speaking for myself, the first couplet has an unfinished feel whereas the second I find sublime. Note, especially, the simple rhythm of the final line, underscoring the point that “our” talk is “straighter.”
–Amit
Amit Chakrabarti · 24 April 2003
In the ``analysis’’ provided by Don Jose, the ``analyst’’ wonders whether Andrew Motion’s last name is pronounced “mutton”, describes the British newspaper The Guardian as “idiotarian” and concludes with a parting shot at the “pro-Islamofascist Left”. Such infantile name-calling and naked hate for a popular viewpoint do not belong in literary criticism at any level.
I cannot give this ``analysis’’ better than a C.
–Amit
The Happy Reaper · 5 June 2003
“Such infantile name-calling and naked hate for a popular viewpoint do not belong in literary criticism at any level.”
Here, here. An infantile response to a largely infantile and utterly simplistic poem methinks.
Peter Carter