Favourite poet

[Zondrae]

Ah, No gremlins,

There are two posts on similar topics and I have answered them similarly.
Now where did I put that book I started... Oh well, doesn't matter, I have no time for reading today.
Problems with the printer and car trouble and I have a dental abscess.. will life never run smoothly?

[Robyn]

Hope the day picks up Zondrae.
Robyn

[Duncan Williams]

Iam pleased you asked that question Heather! my favourite modern day poet would have to be the great Gertrude Skinner. not only that i knew her has a poet, but also a great teacher and a person to respect and look up too.
My second thoughts go onto the legendary Colin Newsome and Keith Garvey who were there when a lot of other poets were not.


Duncan Williams.

[Bob Pacey]

Pretty varied lot in there folks no wonder we all write different stuff.


Bob

[Vic Jefferies]

Could not choose between Paterson and Lawson but would have to also recommend
Robert W Service, Will Ogilvie, CJ Dennis, Ted Harrington and Bruce Simpson.

Vic Jefferies

[Neville Briggs]

This week I bought a poetry book ( another one !! ) called the Quadrant Book of Poetry 2001-2010, edited by Les Murray.
Having read some already I have decided that my favourite contemporary poet is John Whitworth. He is a Pom and lives in the Old Dart ( sorry Maureen ) and not a bush poet, but he writes faithfully in strict rhyme and metre. His imaginative use of the traditional form is superb. Well worth the attention of any bush poetry writer, because he relates the traditional form of poetry to contemporary life.
I fear that the trap for bush poets, looking back to Lawson and Paterson et al, will be to write stuff that gives the impression that nothing has happened to change Australia since 1918.


I recommend the book, you can buy it off the Quadrant web site.

[manfredvijars]

bloody-ell ... talk about hogging the thread. Martin, thou takest the Bryndons ...

[manfredvijars]

... I fear that the trap for bush poets, looking back to Lawson and Paterson et al, will be to write stuff that gives the impression that nothing has happened to change Australia since 1918.

Take a look at David Campbell, Ron Stevens, and Graham Fredriksen and you'll change your mind ...

[Heather]

Thanks for posting the essay Marty. I found it all interesting but particularly the following sentences.

I would even argue that the search for rhyme (and metre) allows the poem to creep up on you unawares, frees your unconscious, which is where many of the best poems come from.

I'd agree with that statement. A poem tends to find its own way when the metre and right rhymes are found.

Rhyme is so artificial that it suggests insincerity.

The trick is to find a rhyme that isn't artificial. That's not easy but when it's done well it's brilliant.

[Neville Briggs]

I said it was a trap, Manfred. I didn't say everyone fell for it.

Good one Marty. Great wisdom from a very talented bloke. It just shows, as does Les Murrays Quadrant Book of Poetry that the contemporary poetry practice is not some monolithic verse libre, as some think. Or as some might want.