Byron by J. Gordon Coogler

This poem is amazingly pompous. Coogler is shouting on high about Lord Byron. Lord Byron's status was sexually overt and criminal. Lord Byron was an accomplished man. He wrote many stories with uncomfortable topics that exploited women. In fact, he was even kicked out of the country due to sexual drawing contained in some of his books. It is also rumored he murdered people and was a pedophile. Information is difficult to find; since it was kept away from the general public.

In this poem the author appears to applaud Byron's boldness. It is true Byron advanced sexual acceptance into polite society. At least he was a noble and not as easily buried on unhallowed ground. However, the statement, "Men may condemn the song that issued from the heart sublime," is overboard. Mass orgies are not really sublime.

Media and psychologists support the idea of men thinking about sex frequently and may associate most of life to intimacy. It is true Lord Byron is immortal through his writing, yet Coogler's enthusiasm is peculiar. The biggest slap in the face is within the last lines. "May all that was good within thee be attributed to Heaven, all that was evil - to thy mother."

What is this supposed to mean? What is good or evil? Coogler seems to believe carnal knowledge is good. Why is Lord Byron's behavior attributed to his mother? The punch line is misogyny. If it is a joke, then it is actually enjoyable.

This poem lacks grammar. It is also included in the book "Very Bad Poetry" by Kathryn and Ross Petras. Unlike some of the poems in this book this poem it definitely deserving of the title. This guy is overjoyed by sexual impurity. Seeming sarcastic or sucking up, maybe he is making fun of people who defend Lord Byron. However, he is obviously in the moment and did not edit the poem. There too many grammatical errors and while poetic license is a worthwhile, I believe he wrote it and it was published.

Quirky Books
Very Bad Poetry Kathryn and Ross Petras