Ten Best Poems

[Terry]

How about 'The Droving days', must be worth a mention!

Terry

[Neville Briggs]

I posed the question Stephen, because it is apparent from just a few replies that the choices here are on personal preference. That's fine, anyone is entitled to their favourites, but how does favouritism translate into quality.

I reckon that the best poem by Henry Lawson is Middleton's Rouseabout, but I doubt if many here would agree with me. I think that Banjo Paterson's best poem was The Travelling Post Office.

As for bush poems I would rate Nancy Cato's poem The Dead Swagman and Mary Hannay Foote's poem Where the Pelican Builds as the finest of bush poems. ( although Vic didn't stipulate bush poems, only Australian poems )

I'll also put in a vote for Kenneth Slessor's Country Towns and one by anon, Click Go the Shears. also The Pub with no Beer ( Dan Sheahan/Gordon Parsons )

[Stephen Whiteside]

Neville, that is the point. Everybody knows there is no objective measure of poetry, so why bother to say it? The fun comes from pretending there is, when we all know it is a fantasy. Why do I have to spell this out?

[Vic Jefferies]

Stephen I can't see your original comment re Rolph Harris. I don't agree with Kath Walker being there as I struggle with her poetry.
Some good nominations coming up and I think perhaps it might be easier if we all nominate our ten favourites and then we can talk about the order of those poems nominated. I don't want to dominate the discussion with my choices but I think this subject could prove very interesting and informative.
at the moment I would like to nominate:
Alice Werner's Bannerman of the Dandenong;
The Death of Ben Hall by Will Ogilvie;
The Roaring Days by Henry Lawson;
The Traveling Post Office by Banjo;
Said Hanrah by John O'Brien
and South of My Days by Judith Wright in the pre 60's section.

I think the post 60's section will prove very interesting!

[Terry]

I guess no one person can ever select the top ten poems to the satisfaction of everybody, no matter how knowledgable they might be.
But as Stephen says it's fun putting forward our own opinions.

It gives you an idea how difficult a job judges have, all they can really do is select well written poems that appeal to them.

Terry