Report for 2011 W B Yeats Poetry Prize
There was a clear winner in the W B Yeats Poetry Prize this year. ‘www.rainforest/leeches’ was an interestingly complex poem that used adventurous language and compelling imagery. The poet took imagistic risks, trusting the reader, and yet there was nothing wilfully obscure or self-consciously poetic about this solidly crafted, gently humorous poem.
This approach made a sharp contrast with many of its fellows. Too often the poems submitted this year were overwritten, used anachronistic language, or relied on poetic clichés. There is probably on the internet somewhere a list of words contemporary poets should avoid – among them would be tis, midst, o’er, faery and sprite. A contemporary poem has to work very hard to carry words such as these and still sound assured rather than derivative.
Many of the poems simply lacked thematic coherence, as though the poet had forgotten the point he or she was making part way through the poem. Or, when the poem’s theme was clear, the ending was heavy-handedly didactic or repetitive. It’s a good idea, when revising one’s poetry, to scrutinise the final lines and ask if the poem really needs them. Such final lines should be memorable, but shouldn’t tell the reader what to think or feel. They also shouldn’t summarise what the poem is about. It is also a good idea to be fully acquainted with what contemporary poets are doing. As the late Mal Morgan said when asked about the best way to write a poem ‘First read 100 books of poetry’. After such a reading program, poets will discover what has been done before and learn the best ways to get the effects they want, ways that avoid clichéd language and ideas.
It’s always challenging judging any creative endeavour – and it’s equally difficult being judged. All poets who entered the competition are to be congratulated on risking themselves and their work to the judgement of others. In the end, however, what we were looking for in a winning poem was that it took stylistic risks while remaining lucid, showed an intelligent grasp and exploration of poetic craft, enough to give the poem a strong spine, and had a theme and an imagery that resonated long after the poem had been read. ‘www.rainforest/leeches’ ticked all these boxes.
Judge's: Catherine Bateson and Earl Livings
March 2012
