U.A. Fanthorpe Poems

U. A. Fanthorpe was an English poet born in 1929. She passed away in 2009 after publishing numerous poetry collections, many of which comment on social issues. Her awards include the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. 

First Flight

by U.A. Fanthorpe

‘First Flight’ by U.A. Fanthorpe follows a narrator’s first flight as they rise above the ground and commentate on their journey.

This great U.A. Fanthorpe poem should be considered among her best. The poem is thoughtful, complicated, and filled with unique images that are compelling and interesting. She is known for her distinctive and often witty style and her exploration of ordinary people and everyday life in her poetry.

Plane moves. I don’t like the feel of it.

In a car I’d suspect low tyre pressure.

A sudden swiftness, earth slithers

Off at an angle. The experienced solidly

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Not my Best Side

by U.A. Fanthorpe

‘Not my Best Side’ by U. A. Fanthorpe depicts a humorous transformation of the dynamic between the characters in Paolo Uccello’s Saint George and the Dragon. 

This poem stands out among the poet's work for its playful and imaginative approach to its subject matter. While many of Fanthorpe's poems deal with more somber themes, such as death and loss, "Not My Best Side" is lighthearted and satirical.

Not my best side, I'm afraid.

The artist didn't give me a chance to

Pose properly, and as you can see,

Poor chap, he had this obsession with

A Minor Role

by U.A. Fanthorpe

‘A Minor Role’ by U.A. Fanthorpe is a reflection on the role the poet has been forced to play within

Half-Past Two

by U.A. Fanthorpe

In her poem, ‘Half-Past Two,’ U. A. Fanthorpe utilizes childish vernacular and mismatched capitalization to reflect the stress of a young child who in the past was punished for “Something.”

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