Wilfred Owen became a kind of sacred text for Andrew Motion, the former UK Poet Laureate, who credits the war poet with igniting his passion for literature. In a recent interview, Motion reflected on the books that shaped his life, from childhood favorites to enduring poetic influences.
Early Reading Memories
Motion recalls that his parents were country people who valued animals over books. His father claimed to have read only half a book in his life—The Lonely Skier by Hammond Innes—while his mother managed three or four novels a year. Despite this, a gift from his grandmother, My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, sparked his imagination at age seven.
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The Book That Changed Him as a Teenager
At his first school, Motion got his hands on White Eagles Over Serbia by Lawrence Durrell, which his parents deemed unsuitably violent. Though he never finished it, carrying it made him feel grown-up. Later, a history teacher read Wilfred Owen’s war poetry during a lesson on World War I. “The poetry-lights in my mind immediately flickered on,” Motion says. He bought Owen’s Collected Poems, which became a sacred text he still treasures.
Becoming a Writer
Motion never consciously “wanted to be a writer” until he found himself writing. His A-level poetry anthology, Theme and Variations edited by RB Heath, felt like “Carter breaking into Tutankhamun’s tomb.” This book inspired him to tinker with his own poems.
Returning to Alexander Pope
Motion admits that Alexander Pope’s An Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot initially baffled him with its obscure references. Fifty years later, Pope is one of the poets he most admires for his genius of thought and technique.
Books He Rereads
Motion regularly returns to Wordsworth’s The Prelude and John Berryman’s 77 Dream Songs. He describes both as poetic autobiographies that feel like “the breath of life.”
Comparison of Influential Poets
| Poet | Work | Impact on Motion |
|---|---|---|
| Wilfred Owen | Collected Poems | Sacred text, ignited passion for poetry |
| Alexander Pope | An Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot | Initially baffling, now deeply admired |
| John Berryman | 77 Dream Songs | Poetic autobiography, breath of life |
Key Takeaways
- Wilfred Owen’s poetry was a pivotal influence on Andrew Motion’s literary journey.
- Childhood reading, even from non-reader parents, can spark lifelong passion.
- Difficult poetry like Pope’s can become beloved with time and study.
- Rereading favorite works offers fresh inspiration and connection.
FAQ
What was Andrew Motion’s earliest reading memory?
Motion enjoyed My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, given by his grandmother when he was about seven years old.
How did Wilfred Owen influence Andrew Motion?
A history teacher read Owen’s war poetry aloud, and Motion bought his Collected Poems, which became a sacred text that still inspires him.
Which poets does Andrew Motion reread?
He regularly rereads Wordsworth’s The Prelude and John Berryman’s 77 Dream Songs, calling them poetic autobiographies.
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