The Modern Poet: A Song of Derivations is a collection of poems by Alice Meynell, a British poet and essayist. The collection is divided into three sections: “The Modern Poet,” “The Ancient Poet,” and “The Poet of Nature.” In each section, Meynell explores the various ways in which poetry has been derived from its sources, from the ancient Greeks to the modern day. She examines the influence of the past on the present, and how the modern poet is able to draw on the works of the ancients to create something new. Meynell also looks at the relationship between the poet and nature, and how the poet can use nature as a source of inspiration. The collection is a celebration of the power of poetry, and a reminder of the importance of looking to the past for guidance and inspiration.
By Alice Meynell · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Modern Poetry, Romanticism