Description
Clarence James Dennis was one of the most accomplished poets in Australia at the beginning of the 20th century. Although his works are lesser known today, he continues to be widely remembered for his remarkable skill and artless, yet deeply introspective and expressive style.Works such as A Ruined Reversolet by C. J. Dennis define the poets place in the literary community as an unconventional yet brilliant artist who had a command of words that caused former Australian Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, to compare Dennis with famed 18th century poet, Robert Burns.Like The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, the most famous and successful work published by Dennis, A Ruined Reversolet is based on simple words that run deep, a strong emphasis on nature and the poets ingenious ability to express his thoughts through the most straightforward of phrases.The poem is extremely short, spanning over 15 lines, each just 2-3 words in length at most. Written in 1908, it is a good example of Dennis skill at a time close to the height of his career, and his enthusiasm, as well as his unmistakable style, shines through the words with a clarity that has drawn the attention of many of his most distinguished peers.Only eight years from the time he wrote A Ruined Reversolet, Dennis would sell over 65,000 copies of The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, and become Australias most prosperous poet.Whether you just want a simple light reading or you want to research some of the best and most significant works of Australian literature, A Ruined Reversolet is a good example of the kind of simple, yet intricately designed poem that those of the caliber of C. J. Dennis were capable of.Poems like A Ruined Reversolet have earned Dennis praise from prestigious celebrities of his time, including H.G. Wells, Sir John Betjeman and E. V. Lucas.