I just taught Auden’s “The More Loving One” in one of my classes. It is great to rediscover great poems with your students. One comment in class: “Well that just about the greatest thing I’ve heard.”  I even got a thumbs up from a poetry appreciating non-English major, though he gave William Carlos Williams a thumbs down. At least they have opinions.

Here’s a link to the poem, with Nick Laird reading it. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15550

Some people write Flannery O’Conner in long hand to internalize her rhythm, with that in mind, I am re-typing his poem here.

The More Loving One

 

Looking up at the the stars, I know quite well

That, for all they care, I can go to hell,

But on earth indifference is the least

We have to dread from man and beast.

 

How should we like it were stars to burn

With a passion for us they could not return

If equal affection can not be,

let the more loving one be me.

 

Admirer as I think I am

Of stars that do not give a damn,

I can not say, now I seem them, say

I’ve missed them terribly all day.

 

Were all starts to disappear or die,

I should learn to look at an empty sky

And feel its total dark sublime

Though this might take me a little time.

 

From Homage to Clio by W. H. Auden, published by Random House. Copyright © 1960 W. H. Auden, renewed by The Estate of W. H. Auden.