A Few Verses in Praise of George Orwell

I wrote this poem after reading what struck me as an overly snide review written by Barry Gewen in this weekend's NYT's Book Review about George Orwell's recently published diaries.

A writer’s credibility rests upon

His or her ability with words

To impress upon readers

A love for truth unvarnished

So George Orwell towers

Above all others

Of the 20^th century

As a devotee 

By instinct abhorring

All cant

And please remember

Counting eggs is a

Time honored occupation

Among English empiricists
Down through the  centuries
Those who truly relished

The beautiful taste
Of what's been home laid

By a bird in the hand