"A SAILORS PRAYER"
»ir,- the publication of a poem such as Denis Glover’s "Sailor’s Prayer" can hardly be considered consistent with the principles of good taste or with the standard of The Listener. While the thoughts of the first verse are sincere and well-expressed, the second stanza is nothing but a pitiful and_ sacrilegious parody of a sacred subject. To utter the words "Sunday Church" in one breath and the word "Booze" in the next is to show a poor moral outlook indeed. To find these words published in The Listener is also distressing in ‘the extreme. I am prepared to accept’ Coming Round the Bend and other samples of Gloverian humour with tolerance, though the literary value and beauty of quotations in the mass is perhaps questionable. When, however, a poem such as "Tha Sailor’s Prayer’ is published ina periodica] such as this it is time to query both the moral and the reading tastes of this "enlightened Christian. country." A correspondence on "Children Swearing" has just concluded in your columns. Perhaps another similar topic for discussion could have been "Adults Blaspheming." May I suggest that, before Mr. Glover writes any further poems in a similar vein. he reads Exodus XX: 7.
SCRIBERE
(Timaru).
(We suggest that offr correspondent read
Matthew LA: 10, 11, 12,--Ed.)
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19530417.2.12.8
Bibliographic details
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 718, 17 April 1953, Page 5
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216"A SAILORS PRAYER" New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 718, 17 April 1953, Page 5
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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