This was lovely, thank you. I probably would have no interest in poetry if it wasn't for anthologies - I discovered Palgrave by chance on my granddad's bookshelf (the only poetry in the house) and it very much started me off. Now anthologies are coming back into my life as the most space-efficient way to keep a poetry collection when renting small rooms in London. A fascinating book on anthologies and their social history was published recently, highly recommend: The Treasuries by Clare Bucknell.
This was such a pleasure to read! I also loved the other two pieces you mention. Poetry anthologies played such a huge part in my own life that I've often given them as gifts, though without quite knowing where they landed. For me as a teenager it was the Oxford Book of English Verse and the Penguin Book of American verse, plus a couple of French anthologies. (All in storage now, and badly missed.). But it's the people and storytelling that will stick with me from this piece, along with your daughter's verse — so good to read.
Another absolutely superb article, Sarah. Thank you.
I had an interesting chat with Dotun Adebayo who presents an early morning show on Radio 5 live which is loved by many including me. The topic of Winchester Coll cropped up and led to an exchange of John Betjeman's verse between us. Dotun's abilities to recite poetry would be applauded by Lord Wavell.
Delighted to have helped to prompt these further thoughts on anthologies! Spur-of-the-moment Substack posts are often the most fun to write and read... I'm intrigued, by the way, by your mention of Mary Wilson -- I was reading and admiring some of her poems a while ago, and wondering if she would ever find new readers.
Thank you, Jeremy. I'm currently pitching a group biography of some Wilson Cabinet wives, led by Mary. If I get anywhere I would really value your thoughts on her poetry, as I'm only an amateur!
I think there is huge value in teaching children to recite poems. It teaches them the beauty of language. I went to a Welsh school so we used to learn poems to recite at the annual Eisteddfod. It's a challenge committing whole poems to memory but some of the poems stay with you for life.
I have a much treasured copy of Palgrave, and realized that I too have a copy of Other Men's Flowers that I have never looked at. I shall now remedy that and thank you for such a lovely read.
The Faber Book of Modern Verse - compiled by poet Michael Roberts 2nd edition. 'Modern' in the year it was published which after deciphering the mcmli turns out to be the year I was born. It starts with Hopkins and Yeats and among its treasures eight by Laura Riding. This one has almost everything I need! Is on eBay at £2.99...
What a lovely post. I so enjoyed it. And oh! Coventry Patmore! Does anyone still read Coventry Patmore? I was introduced to him by reading Barbara Pym novels - serendipity in action.
Anthologies… what a fascinating topic. I received Harold Bloom’s as a gift and found it terribly pedantic, but like you I’m a fan of Garrison Keillor’s collections. I also like two essay collections about individual poems—HOW TO READ A POEM, by poet Molly Peacock, and BREAK, BLOW, BURN by Camille Paglia.
A wonderful read! Your insights into poetry anthologies, particularly Wavell's collection, are fascinating. The personal stories you shared added warmth and depth to the topic. It’s a lovely reminder of poetry's enduring power to connect generations.
This was lovely, thank you. I probably would have no interest in poetry if it wasn't for anthologies - I discovered Palgrave by chance on my granddad's bookshelf (the only poetry in the house) and it very much started me off. Now anthologies are coming back into my life as the most space-efficient way to keep a poetry collection when renting small rooms in London. A fascinating book on anthologies and their social history was published recently, highly recommend: The Treasuries by Clare Bucknell.
This was such a pleasure to read! I also loved the other two pieces you mention. Poetry anthologies played such a huge part in my own life that I've often given them as gifts, though without quite knowing where they landed. For me as a teenager it was the Oxford Book of English Verse and the Penguin Book of American verse, plus a couple of French anthologies. (All in storage now, and badly missed.). But it's the people and storytelling that will stick with me from this piece, along with your daughter's verse — so good to read.
I love Wavell's own poem, which he humbly appended to Other Men's Flowers.
OUTSIDE THE GATE SONNET FOR THE MADONNA OF THE CHERRIES DEAR Lady of the Cherries, cool, serene,
Untroubled by our follies, strife and fears,
Clad in soft reds and blues and mantle green,
Your memory has been with me all these years.
Long years of battle, bitterness and waste,
Dry years of sun and dust and Eastern skies,
Hard years of ceaseless struggle, endless haste,
Fighting against greed for power and hate and lies.
Your red-gold hair, your slowly smiling face
For pride in your dear son, your King of Kings,
Fruits of the kindly earth, and truth and grace,
Colour and light, and all warm lovely things —
For all that loveliness, that warmth, that light,
Blessed Madonna, I go back to fight.
Northwick Park, April 29th, 1943
PS If you like OMF, you'll probably like Quiller-Couch's Book of English Verse.
Oxford Book of English Verse
Another absolutely superb article, Sarah. Thank you.
I had an interesting chat with Dotun Adebayo who presents an early morning show on Radio 5 live which is loved by many including me. The topic of Winchester Coll cropped up and led to an exchange of John Betjeman's verse between us. Dotun's abilities to recite poetry would be applauded by Lord Wavell.
Delighted to have helped to prompt these further thoughts on anthologies! Spur-of-the-moment Substack posts are often the most fun to write and read... I'm intrigued, by the way, by your mention of Mary Wilson -- I was reading and admiring some of her poems a while ago, and wondering if she would ever find new readers.
Thank you, Jeremy. I'm currently pitching a group biography of some Wilson Cabinet wives, led by Mary. If I get anywhere I would really value your thoughts on her poetry, as I'm only an amateur!
Sounds like a great pitch! Good luck with it -- and please do drop me a line when you're thinking about her poetry.
I think there is huge value in teaching children to recite poems. It teaches them the beauty of language. I went to a Welsh school so we used to learn poems to recite at the annual Eisteddfod. It's a challenge committing whole poems to memory but some of the poems stay with you for life.
I have a much treasured copy of Palgrave, and realized that I too have a copy of Other Men's Flowers that I have never looked at. I shall now remedy that and thank you for such a lovely read.
The Faber Book of Modern Verse - compiled by poet Michael Roberts 2nd edition. 'Modern' in the year it was published which after deciphering the mcmli turns out to be the year I was born. It starts with Hopkins and Yeats and among its treasures eight by Laura Riding. This one has almost everything I need! Is on eBay at £2.99...
My 'go to" volume, which I've had 49 years since it was a school prize, is Larkin's edition of the Oxford Book of 20th century...love it still
What a lovely post. I so enjoyed it. And oh! Coventry Patmore! Does anyone still read Coventry Patmore? I was introduced to him by reading Barbara Pym novels - serendipity in action.
I love a good anthology and owe a lot to them. A lovely post!
Anthologies… what a fascinating topic. I received Harold Bloom’s as a gift and found it terribly pedantic, but like you I’m a fan of Garrison Keillor’s collections. I also like two essay collections about individual poems—HOW TO READ A POEM, by poet Molly Peacock, and BREAK, BLOW, BURN by Camille Paglia.
A wonderful read! Your insights into poetry anthologies, particularly Wavell's collection, are fascinating. The personal stories you shared added warmth and depth to the topic. It’s a lovely reminder of poetry's enduring power to connect generations.