Matching form to function

[larryhammer]

   It's not like designers at Penguin Classics are lacking
          the knowledge
Of how to handle hexameters. Why then their failure
          to use it
In Raeburn's recent translation of Metamorphoses?
On an average page, there's barely three verses that's
          typeset within
A single line, with all others continued with vast
          indent—
And most roving over a single word. The pages are
          ugly,
Everything awkward to read. The font size is generous,
          though,
So why not reduce it a point and gather more verses
          together?
   Nor does it help that the poem is written in thumping
          sub-Longfellow,
With all of the beats but now with just one third the
          sonority—
Dietetically versed. Avoid this volume. Feh, and more
          feh.

---L.