10-15-2019, 02:12 AM
I read the poem literally, and paid little attention to its formal qualities, sound, because I sometimes lose my ears in the war. If it means what it says, which all poems do but usually try not to in vain theory, there doesn't seem to be much going on. Or a lot going on, but nothing novel. It works more as two or three people's black mass rime than a literary feat. But I don't think literature carries any more weight with people than religion. This pastor was evicted by the sixth line and the rest is beating the dead white horse. Unless it's symbolic, of course. But you can say it's one bit to get out of the way before more worthy or interesting targets. . . . The ineffectual power of the pastor over his followers is the most interesting theme. You must not have been impressed.