Oxford Byron Society Picnic, June 88

Present:

Fiona Gregory-Smith
Graham Harper
Susan Berridge Harper
Danny Henrey
Steve Hoey
Gregory Klyve
Chris Oakley

Poems presented:

• The Ballad of Graham and Susan, by Susan "Augusta" Berridge Harper. A poignant piece giving us insight into the terrible anguish of the poetess' soul.
• The Rime of the Ancient Sheep Molestor, by Danny Henrey. A somewhat exaggerated account of a sailing weekend in July 1987.
• A Midsummer Night's Memory, by Steve Hoey. Childe Harold's herald disturbs a Byronic idyll.
• Kome who Khan, by Gregory Klyve. A lament for the lack of interest in society debauches.
• Oakleymandias, by Gregory Klyve. Another milestone in literary history.
• A Pastoral Poetaster's Paradise, by Chris Oakley. Byronists in a rustic setting.

The original intention here was to go punting in what turned out to be a perfect summer's day. Could we get a punt? Could we buggery! Hence the excursion to Boar's Hill instead. Susan Harper introduced for the first time an Edward Lear influence in B.S. poesy. More stanzas were added later ... hopefully she will expand this poem further as her life continues to unfold.