SIMPLE MUSIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

SIMPLE MUSIC

RICHARD CHURCH'S POEMS Let not the common man, despairing of poetry which neither delights the ear nor inflames the imagination, give up hopo. There are still poets who take pleasure in a rhyme and a heart-beat. One of theso is Richard Church. Ho has tried his hand at novel writing without any real success, and now returns to his proper metier once more. " Twelve Noon " he has called his new book, and the title gives an appropriate foretaste of pleasant sunshine and shade. Immortal might become The poot who could take The rapture that is dumb And simple music make. he cries, which seems to leave out T. S. Elliot and his band of imitators; but one must applaud him even so. He can sing simply, as a beautiful little poem " Drought " testifies, but ho does not neglect modern themes, machinery, the underground, mud, and the poem called " Aspirin," beginning Jangled nerves, snuggle down f.ike lover with lover; The knife is withdrawn, The threat hns passed over. Rest, rest I Sink into sleep. Bear your banner bravely, Richard Church, the world has need of such singers as you! '* Twelve Noon."' by Richard Church. (Dent.)