[New-Poetry] 'Poetry can speak decisively to power'

[Bob Grumman]

Robin Hamilton wrote:
>> as fellow brit
>> I can say with authority
>> Andrew Motion is a git
>
> I'd tend to use the term "prat", myself, Roger -- a total nonentity 
> raised to prominence simply because of the position he holds (a bit 
> like members of the royal family).
>
> The list of "anyone but X" that let Motion in is rather distinguished, 
> though.
>
> Those in the frame who (for various reasons) weren't created Potes 
> Lariat:
>
>        U.A.Fanthorpe
>        Derek Walcott
>        Tony Harrison
>
> ... those are the three in my mind who should have formed the short list.
>
> Dunno if Heaney was asked and refused -- can't see how there could be 
> much objection to him, other than he's Eire rather than Northern Irish.
>
> Sad times, but.  Oh, well, at least he's no longer for life.
>
> (I hate to say it, but we do these things better in Scotland -- Edwin 
> Morgan is National Makar, a choice I think few would quarrel with.  
> Even Bob Grumman would approve, I'd guess. <g>)
>
> Robin

I'd have a heart attack.

--Bob