Is this poem too antique for today?

Question

Della Rae

When first I prayed to lose my heart
I was but twenty-one;
I lived in Bingham by the church
And loved the postman’s son.

We met in any gold-green copse
That would extend us shade,
And watched as alders swaying tops
Affirmed the vows we made.

At county fairs we danced and danced
With others, lest we may
With some too wondrous loving glance
Give ourselves away.

But the postman’s boy went off to sea
To fight bravely for the crown;
The townies gave him three times three.
And drank his health ’til dawn.

One letter was all I had to heart
Before we got the news;
Six ships blasted all apart
With captains, mates and crews.

Now I’m all but thirty-four
And live at Welsing Place.
I’m known about as the townies’ whore
And dast not show my face.

On summer nights I walk Soames’s Lane
And find that lovely place
Where we lay down the very first time
And my love I first embraced.

I look west to Welsing Road
Westward toward the sea;
Oh, that this wintry morning’s gale
Could bring my love to me.

Some asked if I wrote it. I did. There are a lot of helpful answers, including that first one (though I wish it had some detail). I can't pick one, so I'm putting it to a vote.

Answer 1

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX love this one, thanks...Keep um coming

Answer 2

It's a moving, and sad story to say the least. I think that writing like this is timeless. I like this poem, it means something. Very often, someone will post a poem which is more an expression of emotions than a piece with any real meaning. That doesn't mean I want to diminish what they wrote, or discourage them from writing; but, I wish more people wrote like this. Bravo.

Answer 3

Did you really honest to God write this? If you did, I think it is amazing...and strange. When I started writing poetry again, this is very similar to the style I wrote in...I wrote many poems about sailors, and the sea, in a very traditional way. I am much more than impressed, and I don't think you should give a rat's bahookie if it is too this or that-write how you want, especially if it's this good.

Answer 4

I am an old dude, a bit cynical, and not particularly fond of poetry...but I know good writing. I don't know who wrote this, but it's very good. If you are the author, you might have made a mistake posting it here before submitting it to a publisher. It's truly a classic. You must tell us where it came from.

Answer 5

You should try getting published. May I suggest the following:

Plainview Press
www.plainviewpress.net

[e-mail]

Get guidelines from them.

OR ELSE,

The Great American Poetry Show
P.O. Box 69506
West Hollywood, CA 90069

http:/www.tgaps.net

Answer 6

Well...to be a little technical...anything that is antique...is antique for today as well:)
Loved the poem because it has this unique inner rhythm..it's almost like a sad song. I can almost imagine its drawling tune.
Who wrote it?

Answer 7

That's a beautiful poem. If it was written recently I'm impressed it does sound like something written in another era.

Answer 8

Nothing you love is too old. Nothing that speaks to you should be judged as too old, too new, too tired. Millions love Shakespeare, is his poetry too old? The Bible is as beautiful prose as ever it was. If it speaks to you, speak it.

Answer 9

Who wrote that? It isn't very good.

Answer 10

I like it. It's very sweet.

Answer 11

I don't think it's antique, I think it's more classic.. timeless when you think about it... what was true then will be true again. and it is.