"Commination" by A D Hope (poetry reading)

Commination means a threat - or a list of God's judgments against sinners.

John of Patmos wrote the Book of Revelation. The "four last things" are presumably the four horsemen of the apocalypse - the end of the world. The speaker sees the world as similar to Sodom and he wishes to depart, like Lot and his daughters, to a place of refuge.

This is a fine rant of a poem from the point of view of rhetoric and skill - but the sentiments it expresses got Alec Hope into hot water with the critics. Personally I don't care whether it expresses a laudable view of the world - it's very entertaining. Who doesn't like to let of steam once in a while?

Once I was talking to a couple who were expecting their first child. They said they were going to name the boy Job, because they liked old Biblical names better than modern ones. I suggested the perfect combination of ancient and modern - Job Lot. They weren't amused. I really should learn to be more tactful. But, to my disgrace, the joke and the look on their faces still amuse me.

The painting are:
"The Triumph of Pan" by Nicholas Poussin
"Lot and His Family Leave Sodom" by Peter Paul Rubens

Usually my videos get no "dislikes". Until the start of this month, almost nobody gave them the Thumbs Down. Things have changed - yesterday the reading I posted got 7 "dislikes" in a couple of hours. In fact the last few readings have collected a lot more "dislikes" than usual. Maybe we have a poetry masochist who views things he won't like deliberately. Will the "phantom disliker" strike again today?

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Commination
• Alec
• Derwent
• Hope

[Superssam87]

Bravo!!!

[twzinn]

excellent, commination a wish for all

[written12]

I haven't commented on your readings in many months. But I'm back- this time to say that your understated, true-to-the-words in front of you approach to recital works as well for hailstorms of commination as for elegy.

And what a poem. I think I've seen his name before, but this is the first "Hope" I've read.

[akindad]

I like this quite a Lot. A rant which I could have used just this morning; doubtless I will have occasion to quote it in the future. Thank you for your readings.

[Imagimontana]

A phantom disliker, eh? I'll just have to 'like' your videos more often.

[thissong4you]

Ah, I sense the prick of a pernicious troll! A fine rant of a poem, indeed.

[langstonify]

Absolutely splendid. 

[DaBlaade]

Wear the Dislikes like a badge of honor, like a chain of office: They came from somebody's skin!

[scifiwritir]

My lord! That was intense! And so true!