POETRY BY RADIO.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3378, 13 June 1927, Page 7

POETRY BY RADIO.

(By Constance Collier.) Perhaps poetry seems a, little out of date to some people—partly because it is not always easy to appreciate at first, and partly because the names of Keats, Shelley, and the other great poets are not flaunted on the electric signs and hoardings of London and the \ suburbs!

At the same time, I was pleasantly surprised at the response on the part of the public to poetry which I have occasionally read for the 8.8.0. Many letters of appreciation came from listeners, and this leads me to hope that the broadcasting of poetry may do something to revive the waning interest of the public in it. Even in these days of hustle it is a wise course occasionally to spare a little time for beauty. Even as recently as Victorian times tile publication of a new poem by Tennyson was a national event, but no living poet would create such a stir with a new work. Why has poetryand the public interest in it—declined? The appreciation of poetry, like the appreciation of good music or good pictures, is an art—something which comes hy degrees; something which proceeds from steeping oneself in the subject.

There are many, of courses who, quite honestly believe that poetry’is not worth the bother of appreciation: that valuable tiffie in these days of hustle would be wasted in, trying to understand what appears to he little more than a long-winded way of saying something which is not particularly important or helpful. Opinion may be divided as to the advisability of spending the time necessary, but the poet is certainly not one who wastes woids on trivialities, for his whole object is to discover the most efficient way of saying things. I should 1 like to give just one example of the added expressiveness of the words when a poet uses l them. Here are three famous lines from Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale” :

. . . . The same that oft-times hath Charmed magic casements, opening on the foam . Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn. i •'

My sole comment on this is that a cinema Him producer might spend thousands of pounds in an attempt to suggest in pictures the magic of this marvellous choice and arrangement of words . . . . and the changes are that lie would not succeed!

Life commonly consists of long, monotonous stretches of drabness interspersed ' with golden moments of real living . . . moments when our emotional chords respond to some stimulating touch from outside, and we feel we must sing for the sheer joy of life. Too soon these precious moments pass, but part of the function of the poet is to preserve these ecstasies for us with a perfection of -expression which we could never hope to attain. Not only does he preseive these bright flashes of being; he sees more clearly than we do and reveals beauty where we should have scarcely suspected its existence. There is so much in poetry to charm every radio listener, and broadcast poetry has the obvious advantage of being read aloud. All poetry was, of course, originally intended to he enjoyed in this,way, and it is conceivable that the new experience of hearing poetry recited by someone who can give correct value to the words and correctly interpret their inherent beauty may awaken a new popular interest in poetry. Wireless can do much to assist in i this direction, and I sincerely hope it will. 1