ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

After seeing the comments of bush poetry competition judges, I was interested to see what criteria of judgement was applied by Geoffrey Lehmann and Robert Gray in choosing "well done" poetry for their book. Australian Poetry Since 1788. UNSW PRESS 2012.

Quote;

" We have found that we mainly judged poetry by a readily comparative measure, by it's use of the techniques of poetry....Of course content is what is most moving in a poem; but the language first has to be effective. A good poem is appreciated at least as much as poetry as it is as message.....
What we looked for, were the marks of poetry; imagery, rhythm, musical texture, aphoristic phrasing, mastery of form, and an original tone of voice...We were attracted to all the manifestations of poetry .......anything that persuaded us that it was well done "

hmmm. I'll have to think on these things. So much to learn, so little time.

I think it's reasonable to question this, too. Surely substance should always have primacy over style?

Stephen Whiteside wrote:Surely substance should always have primacy over style?

Too right. And surely effective language is the substance of poetry, as our friends have pointed out.

I would have thought Stephen, that you of all people, would understand

wrote: the marks of poetry; imagery, rhythm, musical texture, aphoristic phrasing, mastery of form, and an original tone of voice../quote] in my limited ability to comment I think I see all of these in your poetry.

Thank you, Neville. Yes, of course, but I still think they are all secondary. Ultimately what matters most - to my mind - is what the poem is saying, not how it is being said.

I might use the analogy of a present. The message, or story, or whatever, is the present itself. The style and other literary trappings are the wrapping. An unwrapped present loses a lot of the magic, but no matter how prettily you wrap an empty cardboard box, it leaves you with a hollow feeling at the end of the day.

What the poem is saying and how it is being said are the same thing, if it's going to be poetry.

Maybe you're right. I'm not so sure.

Neville Briggs wrote:What the poem is saying and how it is being said are the same thing, if it going to be poetry.

Now this should spark some debate, Neville!!

Neil

Neil, it's like Spike Milligan used to say for a sly joke " it's the way you say it folks "

Sorry Stephen. The difference between poetry and prose is the way the message is "said." Poetry is: the best thoughts expressed in the best words in the best way. The way poetry is written is often more important than what is being said.

G'day all,

Finally have my head above water for a little breath.

I agree with Vic. Poetry should be the best was to express the best ideas. The content of a poem (or the story, as I think of it) should be written in the best words possible, to convey the story. However - I have, on occasion, been struck with a phrase, in a lesser work that has hooked me. When this happens I often say "I wish I had written that!".

One of my mob (IBP) wrote a cracker of a poem about the colours of the sea. It is such a powerful poem that I can't even find the correct words to convey how strong and expressive it is. He is not interested in polishing it for competition. It makes me want to cry.... I wish I had written it and I have told him so. I am even thinking of asking him to let me 'have' it for performance. In fact I'm going to do it now!