Born on this day December 3, 1944, Craig Raine, a renowned British poet and critic, has significantly contributed to the literary world and dramatically redefined modern poetic expression. His groundbreaking work in poetry has reshaped the course of contemporary literature and has set new standards for poetic composition.
Raine’s unique style is characterized by his use of vivid and often startling imagery, which has come to be known as “Martianism.” This technique involves describing everyday objects and situations as if seen through the eyes of a Martian, allowing the readers to perceive them in a whole new light. This innovative perspective has disrupted traditional poetic norms and has ushered in a fresh wave of modernism in poetry.
Moreover, Raine is also recognized for his acute literary criticism. His keen eye for detail and his rigorous intellectual analysis have helped elevate literary critique to a higher level. His works are not just pieces of art but are also insightful commentaries on society, culture, and human nature.
Through his poetry and criticism, Craig Raine has challenged conventional thinking and encouraged readers to view the world from a different lens. His contributions have left a mark on modern poetry, influencing many aspiring poets and literature enthusiasts worldwide. His legacy lies in his ability to transform the ordinary into extraordinary through his words, thereby redefining the boundaries of modern poetic expression.
In Modern Dress
A pair of blackbirds
warring in the roses,
one or two poppies
losing their heads,
the trampled lawn
a battlefield of dolls.
Branch by pruned branch,
a child has climbed
the family tree
to queen it over us:
we groundlings search
the flowering cherry
till we find her face,
its pale prerogative
to rule our hearts.
Sir Walter Raleigh
trails his comforter
about the muddy garden,
a full-length Hilliard
in miniature hose
and padded pants.
How rakishly upturned
his fine moustache
of oxtail soup,
foreshadowing, perhaps,
some future time
of altered favour,
stuck in the high chair
like a pillory, features
pelted with food.
So many expeditions
to learn the history
of this little world:
I watch him grub
in the vegetable patch
and ponder the potato
in its natural state
for the very first time,
or found a settlement
of leaves and sticks,
cleverly protected
by a circle of stones.
But where on earth
did he manage to find
that cigarette end?
Rain and wind.
The day disintegrates.
I observe the lengthy
inquisition of a worm
then go indoors to face
a scattered armada
of picture hooks
on the dining room floor,
the remains of a ruff
on my glass of beer,
Sylvia Plath’s Ariel
drowned in the bath.
Washing hair, I kneel
to supervise a second rinse
and act the courtier:
tiny seed pearls,
tingling into sight,
confer a kind of majesty.
And I am author
of this toga’d tribune
on my aproned lap,
who plays his part
to an audience of two,
repeating my words.
-Craig Raine
Curated by Jennifer
