Yeah, I know the feeling. I grew up reading Kipling's work as a boy- I have no idea how many times I have read through both Jungle Book collections. But I didn't realise until a few years ago just what a great poet he was too.

Funnily enough it was John Ringo (surprise surprise) who clued me into Kipling's verse. And I'm quite glad he did; there really is something about his writing that speaks to a man's soul.

Despite having and reading Captains Courageous, The Jungle Book (and having seen the WB cartoons of Rikki and the White Seal), and Just So Stories, I had not known he was a fucking poet of the first order until I read Pournelles "There Will Be War" (4th one I believe) and ran into "The 'Eathen"

I promptly dug up a copy of his complete verse, and that has had a place of pride on my desk (not my bookshelf) since.

I owe Pournelle for that, a love of history, and so many things.

Still have it. It has a place of honor in my desk.

I owe Pournelle many thanks for that, and other things, and look askance at those who badmouth him.