Would you prefer Imagist poems over Romantic poems?

Question

I've been reading up on Imagist poems recently and it has impressed me deeply. Poets like FS Flint, HD and Amy Lowell were instant favorites (WCW and Ezra Pound were already favorites). Here's one by WCW:

"This is just to say"

I have eaten 
the plums 
that were in 
the icebox

and which 
you were probably 
saving 
for breakfast

Forgive me 
they were delicious 
so sweet 
and so cold

This is surprising to me, because I used to be a huge fan of Romanticism. I read PB Shelley and William Wordsworth almost everyday. For some of you, this may sound ridiculous, because everyone is some sort of -ist. But those of you who have been in my situation, I'd like some advice.

Happy Hiram · Accepted Answer

I don't know how to help because I have always found that one poem by Wordworth will thrill me and the next leave me cold. With the exceptions of Dickinson, Dorothy Parker and Chaucer I don't even like most of the work by most poets, let alone like whole genres of poetry.

I like individual poems, not because they match some expectation but because they strike a chord with me. I have always been fond of  "This is just to say" and then the next piece the textbooks offer from WCW ("The red wheelbarrow") leaves me cold.

No wonder I drive folks in here nuts, they expect me to be a fan or a foe and I am never either. I am just a critic.

cassie58 · Answer

I enjoy romanticism but I can also appreciate imagist poetry. I have grown to like WCW because I've studied some of his work and have a better understanding of what it represents and what he was trying to achieve. Before I had that background knowledge, I thought the poem you have posted here a non poem.It didn't do anything for me at all. I think differently now. In any case I'm perfectly happy with being open to all types of poetry. I don 't have tunnel vision when t comes to poetry.

Anonymous · Answer

I prefer Imagist poems. Romantic poems are too sick for me..... As I hate romance and other stuff relating to it, The poem which was by WCW is much better than, "I love thy heart of soul......". Plums are tastier...

Anonymous · Answer

i like the 2nd extra constructive. it relatively is a lot extra deep. the two are very appealing nevertheless, and properly written. i like the 2nd extra constructive, simply by fact it describes precisely how I, (and that i'm useful maximum others that have experienced a heartbreak), felt while my boyfriend and that i broke up. IT replaced into very stressful and extremely depressing time for me. fortuitously, we ended up getting returned mutually.<3 =-D

? · Answer

Never could appreciate overly long overly worded old fashioned poetry.BORING! Always left me asleep at the wheel.ee Cummings over that mush any day!

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Would you prefer Imagist poems over Romantic poems?

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