AMATEUR POETS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 338, 30 May 1885, Page 3

AMATEUR POETS.

The amateur poet has been a thorn in the flesh. of the editor ever since editors were invented. "When Noah started the "Animal World and Ark Advertiser" he was doubtless waited upon by the poets of the time -anxious to secure insertion for little things ""knocked off" in a moment of inspiration

and chiefly remarkable for bad spelling and being written ' oh both' sides of the pap.civ We can sympathise with the old boy in his troubles. Things are just the same in our day. Hardly a week passes but someone invades the privacy of our editorial den and interviews us oh the subject of "poetry " [!] We don't like to appear uncivil, and so we generally promise it shall "go in." " And so it does — into the waste paper basket. We have enough, rejected pieces on hand now (assorted subjects) to fill the Eev. Mr Spurgeon's new tabernacle, and are prepared to receive offers from budding poets tb " clear the line " at an alarming sacrifice. The practised ear recognises the amateur, poet by his step, which, as a general thing, is full of hope, hope destined to turn into bitter and undying hate, if the " pome " fails to secure insertion in " your widely-circulated and esteemed journal." When the step of the amateur poet strikes upon our too sensitive ear we mentally ejaculate " here's another," and prepare for the worst. Then we say " come in," and a smiling, face greets us, a hand is thrust into a breast pocket, a roll of manuscript is produced, and we know it is all over with us. We must listen while the poet reads his-latest atrocity, if it kills us. The leading characteristic of the amateur poet is his sublime egotism ; he is almost invariably impressed with the unalterable conviction that he is a genius. He feels that poetry is the only medium through -which he can give expression to the varied emotions of his overburthened soul. He must write poetry or die ; and he is selfishly oblivious to the fact that it might on the whole be just as well if he died.

The war scare has furnished the amateur poet with a fresh peg on which to hang the productions of his too busy pen. Editors everywhere are beginning to complain of the number of " loyal and patriotic songs " sent in to them for publication. Here is a " little thing " in that line received at this office on Tuesday. A few lines will probably be enough : — When the grizzly bear Came out of his lair, He snapped at the British lion ; He bristled bis mane And made it plain That his notion was to defy him []} But the brare old lion Scarce showed a sign fl] That he cared a rap for the bear ; His eyes looked wild — He was evidently riled — And said, " Come on, if you dare !" And yet I am told that it is doubtful whether a jury would consider the killing of the man who wrote this justifiable homicide.