Darken the Night

[Terry]

G/day David

As I mentioned elsewhere great poem - mind you you might loose the Catholic vote with this one.

If heaven forbid I was the judge, I'd certainly accept the poem.
How well it did would of course would depend - like all poems - on what it was up against.

Cheers Terry

[Neville Briggs]

David, It's interesting that you use the sort of answering dialogue format for this poem.
I think I'm right in saying that this is a traditional form going back a long way. There are a couple of ancient anonymous ballads such as Edward, Edward and The Unquiet Grave that use the answering dialogue. I know that Rudyard Kipling used it in the ballad Danny Deever. I think it is a good form to use for "bush" poetry, I don't know of any around other than yours.

C.J. Dennis might have, but I can't think of any at the moment.

[manfredvijars]

David, I may not say it very often, but your works shine, they really do!
Without pissing in your pocket, you are a master of your craft, and have the ability to surgically implant the appropriate device ("Call and Response") to give a powerful insight into an abhorrent subject.

I dips me lid!!

[Catherine Lee]

Hear hear, I'm definitely with Mannie on this one David!

[Neville Briggs]

sort of answering dialogue format

("Call and Response

Thanks Mannie, now I've got the correct term

[David Campbell]

Thank you, Terry...as you say, it all depends on what you're up against.

Interesting thought, Neville, although the history aspect is not something I'd consciously considered, and the term "call and response" is new to me. I've used this sort of dialogue approach in a number of newspaper articles, and, of course, it's common in short stories, so it probably just grew out of that. I've tried it a few times in poems, including The Lucky Country from Robyn's Binalong comp, and found it an effective way of highlighting contrasting views in controversial situations. I don't know if anybody else is doing it.

Many thanks, Manfred and Catherine. Your kind words are greatly appreciated!

Cheers
David

[Glenny Palmer]

oh WOW! & Wow again. I may get the sack, but if that poem crossed my judging desk it would certainly figure in my top selections (very likely 1st!) Huge congratulations David. It's an incredible poem.

[Bob Pacey]

Stick it in that comp out at Theodore "Copper Croc " David I reckon it might do ok ?



Bob

[David Campbell]

Gosh, Glenny, now I'm going to need a new 'at for my 'ead too!

Bob:

Cheers
David