The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-01-12

It has been a surprise to many how
lone man. so busy with other things,
has been able to produce so much fin
ished literary work. This is because
he is a close student and enters into
his task with an overpoWerlng en-
Ithusiasm.
Mr. .Harman is averse to discussing
his literary work and its success, but
he talked freely on the subject of
poetry and it's importance in every
day life.
zone trouble with our age" he
said. " is that people do not give
Eenough attention to poetry. They
never stop to think Of its practical
application in every day life. Because
Ane is not able to write verse is no
treason why one should not love
poetry.
We are all dreamers, more or less,
and therefore all i,oetry lovers if we
only admit it. a tendency Of our times
is to suppress the poetic impulse. This
comes on account O. the very practi-
Zeal age in which we live, and is
wrong. We must get back to old ideals
to get the most out of life.
Every home should have it's
choice selection Of books from the
best poets. and these should be read
and studied. If one will start the day
by reading some tender poem, its
rhythm and sweetness will soften the
cares Of the entire day. Anyone can
give this q practical test and be sur
people to become poised, calm and
contented. In this age of restless
ness, this is just what we need. Poetry
should enter into and be a part Of
every life if one would live up to its
full measure Of happiness and con-
tentment.
! Il have theory that the world
is coming back into it's own in this re-
spect. People have leen lashed into
restlessness during the past six years
and reconstruction. They are weary Of
all the excitement under which they
have lived and should naturally long
| for quietude and peace. That is COM
ing-and soon-and then let US hope
we shall come out into a golden age
when real things will count and not
pretense.
+ During the time Of Shelly, Keats
and Byron and later during the life of
Tennyson, poetry was universally
read and discussed in England by the
better class of people. 1t took the
place of idle gossip and had most
uplifting effect, for during those years
England forged her strongest chains
! Of power. Poetry makes people
stronger, better, more loyal and its
cultivation is a blessing to any people
and any nation
When pressed for word about his
own method Of writing poetry, Mr..
Harman said:
"I do not hunt for a subject or an
inspiration. These must come natur-
ally or not at all. Sometimes face
bon the street or the train will suggest
subject, q blossom in the meadow,
or the roadside, a peculiar-shaped
cloud or a bar of music in passing.
But when the inspiration comes, it is
overpowering and I must write, write
1until the poem is complete. Real
poetry must come out Of the very soul,
| it must be felt, it cannot be artificial,
it cannot be made without feeling. I
believe the poet puts spark Of di-
Evinity into every poem Of merit-cer-
tainly he puts large part of'his own
aroused feeling.
"A poem is a beautiful thought,
dressed in the most: beautiful words
that the writer is capable of using.
AS rule, brevity adds to it's beauty.
AS an art of the highest chracter, all
superfluity must be avoided. Clear-cut
must be the lines and the readers
vision must see clearly the picture
that is printed. When deep feeling can
be aroused by the use of choice lang
uage, the poets art IS greatly en-
hanced.''
| All Mr.. Harman's writings, both
prose and poetry, are marked by
finished style. His charming studies Of
Sidney Lanier. Joel Chandler Harris,
Walter H. Page and other famous
southern authors show a freshness of
expression and deep personal appre-
c;a tiop which will make these UaDerS