Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 11/28/2003

Question
Just a short question: I know a lyric is a form of poem, but I am unsure whether you would say:

'in Shelley's rapturous lyric To a Skylark...'
or

'in Shelley's rapturous lyric poem To a Skylark'

or either, or neither.

Do you know?

Answer
Elizabeth:

Your question was sent two hours ago.  I don't know why I just got it!  Must be the miserable weather we're having.

Either way is correct, but if your reader/audience is not poetry-oriented, you might want to use the second, "in Shelley's rapturous lyric poem 'To a Skylark' . . . . "
Anyone acquainted with poetry would know both Shelley and lyric, but the uninformed might think you were talking about the lyrics of a song, if they didn't know Shelley.
You could also leave out both lyric and poem, if your audience knows what an "ode" is.   Then you would say, "In Shelley's ode 'To a Skylark' . . . . "

We should write or say things appropriate for the level of understanding of our readers or audiences.  Otherwise, they might be confused.

Ted Nesbitt

Your evaluation of my answer and nomination as volunteer of the month are the ONLY payment I receive for my work at Allexperts.  Thank you.  TN