Prize Poem Competition

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 14, 17 October 1930, Page 32

Prize Poem Competition

"THE prize of half a guinea for the best poem is awarded to "D.P." for "The Menagerie," a brief and poignant impressionist study of dwellers in the jungle, imprisoned by mankind’ to indulge the amused curiosity of inquisitive sightseers. This poem is instinct with an ironic indignation against captivity of wild things-a spectacle, as an old poet said, caleulated to put "all Heaven in a rage." Good work has been received during the fortnight. that has elapsed since our last competition, and though not up to prize-winning standard, we select for commendation "Greta’s" two . contributions, "The Birth of a Day" in particular; revealing imaginative quality combined with attractive expression. "Wild Rose" possesses a dainty facility for one so young, and her small, sweet poem anent the mists of spring holds promise for literary future. "Betty K.": Thanks for letter and rapturous verses, which express some of the radiance of a "Dream-come-True." Tennyson was not far out, was he, when he wrote of the spring in "Locksley Hall." Kia ora! "An HEtching’: An apt title for a vividly-phrased impression. "Oh Mack’s" work is at all times skilful and effective, and this week’s contribution is no exception. : "Annabel Lee": Slight in texture and mediocre in expression. C.S.: We like your letter of appreciation and what you say of the writing of verse. The poet’s path is "uphill all the way," but to scale even a few of the hills of difficulty is well worth while. , "The Punga World" is all for a life of hard work "far from the madding crowd," and makes out quite a gov. case for it, too. M.J. sets forth in two short verses a poetic conception of music imprisoned in the dark heart of a fiddle. Her poem has something of the blessed quality of originality. "Alpha": A conscientious catalogue, but the incidents don’t "click."