TWO SHORT POEMS

Southland Times, Issue 22073, 21 July 1933, Page 4

TWO SHORT POEMS

EX-BLACKSMITH’S PEN. Behind the acceptance by the King and Queen of two short poems—“ Gratitude” and “Sincerity”—is the romantic story of a man who has turned poetphilosopher after 12 years as a blacksmith and five as a naval diver. Mr. Harold Bernard Kentchley, of Copnor, Portsmouth, the author of tire poems, has written hundreds of philosophical treatises. “The letters of acknowledgment from the King’s private secretary and the Queen’s lady-in-waiting are among my most treasured possessions,” Mr. Ketchley said recently. . For the past 14 years Mr. Ketchley has been a ledger-clerk in the Civil Service. But always his hobby has been the study of—life. “ft is not easy. Sometimes I find that I have to destroy 50 or 60 pages before I find the right expressions to convey my . thoughts. Then I lie awake most of the night with the problem still revolving in my' mind. The work of mine accepted the other day by the Prince of Wales was called ‘The Pioneer Spirit.’ ”