by Alice Oswald
Poem about a Devon river.
To be honest, I don't get poetry. But I kept coming across references to Alice Oswald's book-length poem Dart, then I heard her interviewed on an excellent Guardian podcast, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
I'm glad I did, because Dart is very enjoyable.
I can't claim to have got it all, but I dare say you're supposed to read it more than once. Which I plan to do. Anyone who compares an eel to a bike chain, and describes the gypsy-coloured engines of dragonflies deserves a second reading.
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