Ode In Honour Comments

The poet effectively emphasized the prevalent problem of the flesh trade, where women are commodified and men take pride in engaging in it. The poem offers a thoughtful comparison of the perspectives of women and men on this issue.

I am uneasy with the addition of a girl child to the list of women succoring the men in the last four lines of the preceding stanza... probably just me misinterpreting....

You are not alone, John. As usual, I totally agree with everything you said.

The first and last verses are conceptually genius. The inner verses, though, absolutely destroy what could have been an incredibly wonderful poem. I understand the concept of being swept off one's feet, as love or a magic carpet can do... but what is an antique window in space? Or cataract crystal floes? The reason I have never been a particularly strong fan of modern poetry is the use of such gibberish devices as these, where the author finds some intrinsic auditory/aesthetic value in non-sense words that have absolutely no meaning what so ever. And my lifelong dread has been that others find artistry in such things, yet I do not. I believe this is not artistry, but rather laziness. The king is naked, and I apparently am alone in saying that.

...setting the smiles on fire in men's faces... What a great line. Scarfe was born in South Shields, a fact not particularly trumpeted by the town which should be extremely proud of him