PRIZE POEM COMPETITION

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 36, 20 March 1931, Unnumbered Page

PRIZE POEM COMPETITION

7 "THE prize of half a guinea in the current competition is awarded to M.W.S., whose "Sonnet-Just Hngland" we feel sure will appeal to lovers of verse by reason of its beauty of thought and phraseology. Selected for commendation, though widely. differing in subject and treatment, .are poems on "Music’’and "Shelley," by "Oh Mack" and D.A.S. respectively. In its lilting cadences the former justifies its title, while the latter is arresting. in treatment of lonely life.and death of that prince of ‘jpoesy, Percy Bysshe Shelley. 3 "Basblen": Your sad little plaint and prayer is carefully composed, but does not rise above mediocrity. K.M.N.: A sweet and joyous lay, showing poetic comprehension, but somewhat over-repetitive. "Alone" ;. A gentle songlet of heart-hunger. M.W.S.: We liked your interesting comments, and agree with your admiration of aristocratic background of- sonnet form in the world of letters. However, ballad or triolet or sonnet. sequence, ancient or modern, so long as a degree of quality exists, each has its interest, "Tn Place of Fear": This contribution exudes life and animation, but’ shows frequent tendency to lipse "into the colloquial. "Heraclitus": We like your impressionistic etching of a wanderer in 2 city street, which has. the authentic atmosphere, "Yvonne Mack": Your lines fail to scan, and lack the gracious spark ° ‘that transmutes prose into poetry. "Zuyder Zee’: We rejoice in the suggestion of humour imparted to your erratic lines, "Prue": "The Wreck of the Hesperus" is a poetic gem in comparison with "Blue Water Beyond," of which it has obviously been the inspiration. "HKyangeline’; "Still is the song of the Dairy !" Shades of Longfellow! eee 6 be