Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-20
lis A POET CLUB WOMAN
Miss Irwin Tells How London Meete
Real Need.
GOTHAM TO HAVE A NEW ORDER
one Organization which Gives the
Young Poet ChRnce-She Qual-
ified for neutrality-suspicious.
Fancy Dress Dinner.

NEW YORK, March 19-stock in the re-
Gently formed Poetry club-thus innocently
named though charter members themselves
DO not deny corporation possbllitles-bids
fair to rise rapidly. with the acquisition OF
a genuine English poet club woman who not
only has seen but has participated in tho
activities Of a similar society in London
what should prevent skyward booming?
Miss Beatrice Irwin, whom Ben Greet
brought over TO take the leading part In
his revival Of "EveTyman," can speak with
authority on how these little bits Of Mount
Parnasus brought to earth should be con-
Quoted. For in addition 20 being an ac-
tress Miss Irwin is also a poet and no
mean one, Judging from the London Poets
clubs action in electing her an honorary
member and inviting her TO read verses to
which it might listen.
II did the Peacock " says the actress
poet "a very barbaric sort OF thing Tho
members we're very kind liked It, and
nominated me a member OF the club"
SO 1t seems in London It Is not every
one who may belong to poets club; the
aspirant must make good.
1T was at the annual meeting in April"
goes on Miss Irwin, last April-the club
is only two years old you know. There
was a big dinner first at the United Arts
club-the Poets club is affiliated with tho
United Arts club.
Some were in fancy dress some noJ
Almost every nationality was represented.
1t was really a most cosmopolitan affair
After the dinner came the poetry and
discussions Mr.. Bernard Shaw spoke on
the censor for about thirty minutes-very
witty and amusing, of course Then the
poets got up and spouted their poems
her very words.
The atmosphere was so very cosmopolitan
that the varying languages in which the
poems were spouted does not seem to have
been a drawback. There were those who
could understand and appreciate one and
ALL
AT the time of the annual meeting"
resumed Miss Irwin, the Album of Poems
comes out 1t is something like the yellow
Book; contains special contributions ty
members asked. Which reminds me that
/ have not yet sent in my contribution"
she continues modestly
This big annual meeting is not, how
ever, typical OF the life OF the club. It
meets fortniBhtly, sometimes at the United
Arts club, but most often at the houses Of
the different members.
L ue meetings dI6 very INFORMAL. OrlE-
inal poems are read and discussed A
most interesting feature is the reading Of
impromptu poems In response to given sub
jects. Member So-and-So has a subject
assigned to him. he retires, and reappears
with the poem, which sounds rather cold
blooded to the lsymen's conception OF
poetic frenzy and its workings, but per-
haps 1t is the effect OF the rarified Parnas-
sian atmosphere
The purpose of such club is not ele-
vating of course; it could not be. That
would be so painfully educational It
simply furnishes the leaven OF romance
and fancy which this prosaic era OF ours Is
so frghtfully in need of. And It serves to
bring forth the young poet and give him a
chance.
THE movement is a good one; there is
need of H. And most OF all there is need
OF journal for poetry, one periodical
devoted exclusively to poetry, where poetry
lovers might go to find what they want
America is a big field and hope the club
here will be instrumental In filling this
need"
How many members does the London
club have?" the visiting member was
asked.
'Oh, / don't know exactly" she replied.
Two hundred or three hundred perhaps"
which, considering that only the qualified
and demonstrated may belong, speaks we'll
for the condition of the art abroad.
Miss Irwin admits that much time has
been begged off from her professional
duties recently to get in readiness for April
publication a volume Of poems of her own.
The verses are chiefly lyrical, songs of
different lands, for the young woman has
been once and a haaf around the world.
But though Miss Irwin has Jaunted to
the ends Of the world she confesses herself
under the spell OF New York
II love America, and 1 love New York"
she says. Il like the bigness, the big feel
about It. 1t is just the place to inspire
poetry"
And New York If 1t could would probably
take off it's hat at the tribute; It is not
often accused OF being poetry inspiring
EaN Al