JUDGES' REPORT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 361, 24 May 1946, Page 21

JUDGES' REPORT

HE report of the judges, Isobel Andrews and O. N. Gillespie, is as follows: _ "Out of the 57 entries we found few which could be called poems in the true sense of the word. Too many ens trants did not seem to be able to distinguish free verse from prose, many of the sentiments were banal, and although on the whole there were more poems of idea than formerly, these were not often carried out with any sense of form, A number of poems could quite easily find publication in the columns of the weekly or monthly magazines, as they are quite slick and well put together, but this type is not, we feel, what the P.E.N. has in mind for its annual award. "After a series of weedings-out, the possibilities were finally brought down to the following: Group 36-38, Group 44-46, and numbers 57 and 40. "Of these, we think that the first group has our vote f@r first place, particularly the ‘New Philosopher’ (No. 38), We would suggest that if the terms of the award allow, the prize be awarded to the author of the first group of poemis rather than to one particular poem, as this work shows promise and a good sense of words, although none of the individual poems are, perhaps, long enough to warrant a prize on their own. The second place would then go to Group 44-46. This author has a good sense of imagery, although preoccupation with the one theme-ships and the seatends to monotony and certain cliches spoil the general effect. ‘Midas and Hig Daughter’ (57) and ‘Epitaph for the Future’ (40) have also certain things to recommend them."