Prize Poem Competition

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 22, 9 December 1932, Unnumbered Page

Prize Poem Competition

(Conducted by

John

O'Dreams

f BED prize of half a guinea in the current, competition is awarded to "Beaumont," who, having chosen "delicate death" as the theme, brings ‘to bear skilled é¢raftsmanship and restrained but dynamic emotional force. Much work of high artistic quality has been received, the contribution of one highly-gifted versifier unfortunately proving to be out of the running on account of length, our limit being 25 lines. Highly commended, and hel in hope of publication, are two strikingly able poems by "QQ." ; a "Oh Mack" harks back to an Old World fancy worthy of Dobson, and dilates thereon with characteristic fresh charm. atioks D.P. sends a rather exquisite exposition of beauty that enchains her lover's in a world of golden days and ways. Ode XIII is scholarly work by that deft manipulator of phrase, R.B.C. Alpha: No need for diffidence. There is much of imaginative charm ‘in your sheaf of poems, though occasionally a pedestrian word creeps in. "Position" «and "necessary," for example, rather jar in juxtaposition with muck that is delightful.. Perhaps the concluding Reminiscenc« is the most, attractive of -all. s oi 1, Mary Gurney’s very lovely poem is held in the meantime. \ ." Kve: Your ambition soars, but immaturity hasn’t a hope in this column. Why’ not ’study the poets? They will repay your devotion. _ "Merrie’: The quaintly-phrased poem has its lure, and may be publishedsome day: : . F "Fatima," in verbal excursion into somewhat neurotic ether, reveals herself as unconscious humorist. . . Many spontaneous and very welcome letters and messages have come in regard to..the Book of Verses recently published by. the "Record," from which a few are quoted. From "Linn," whose "Lament," lately a prizewinning poem, brought forth a shoal of admiring comments: "IL congratulate you on the charming way the book has been done. ‘It gives‘ me much pleasure to see again the work of C. R. Allen, Doreen Price and: Alma Chamberlain." "O.McD." says: "The book is altogether beautiful. . Also, I liked the last prize-winning poem about the Cotswold hills and tors of Devon; it brought tears.to my eyes." O.K.H. says: "I: was delighted to renew acquaintance with ‘Farewell, My Friend,’ "Che Blind Potter’ and ‘The Blackbird in New. Zealand’." C.R.A, says: "There is individuality in this anthology." "Thur" finds the book "a dignified collection and a credit to New Zealand." And a sound critic and lifelong student of poetry thus expresses himself: "Amongst so’ much that is beautiful it is difficult to :particularise but C. R. Allen’s fine sonnet on Milton and his stoically-patheti¢ "Lo a Child Who Died’ I loved greatly. Others I thought especially ‘good were ‘Persephone,’ ‘On Reading de la Mare, ‘Disillusioned,’ "The Friend’ and "Lo a Skylark’ A charming collection in which there is nothing mean or base -- all is true metal." . | ;