Lies in the simplicity of his words.
With a poet like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Hardy or Blake, there is sometimes a certain masking of meaning with the words, which simply isn't present with Betjeman. In the introduction to the edition I have of collected Betjeman poetry, Hugo Williams writes:
"He lays out his wares for us to judge my his own standards, not his. Instead of a manifesto we get the whole man."
This is an idea I am wholly on board with, and while it has prompted criticism, from snobs and purists, it doesn't, and couldn't stop the ultimate end of poetry being fulfilled; people read it, and enjoy it. In fact, Betjeman's popularity seems fuelled by this accessible style, allowing people without the patience (perhaps) or trained eye of a metaphor specialist to enjoy poetry, and delight in the true purpose of this (to some degree) lost art; to feel like there are others out there who feel your feelings.
I urge you to read some Betjeman.
Sq.
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