I don't like any of them. I would agree, I suppose, that the Larkin is in some sense the best but I find it performative and annoying; it has no sonic interest; and I think it's a mistake to use a large number of words that your reader cannot reasonably be expected to know how to pronounce. I also think it's silly to shortlist a poem that has already won a major prize. So just grumpiness from me I'm afraid.
The first page of Kizziah Burton’s poem compelled me to read the rest and I liked it a lot. I enjoy the word play and I like that it’s understandable while not always making complete sense. There are thoughts and phrases I want to go back to which is always a good thing. I also very much enjoyed Absence has a grammar and, like you, can’t find much to criticise there.
I don't like any of them. I would agree, I suppose, that the Larkin is in some sense the best but I find it performative and annoying; it has no sonic interest; and I think it's a mistake to use a large number of words that your reader cannot reasonably be expected to know how to pronounce. I also think it's silly to shortlist a poem that has already won a major prize. So just grumpiness from me I'm afraid.
Victoria, we love your grumpiness.
The first page of Kizziah Burton’s poem compelled me to read the rest and I liked it a lot. I enjoy the word play and I like that it’s understandable while not always making complete sense. There are thoughts and phrases I want to go back to which is always a good thing. I also very much enjoyed Absence has a grammar and, like you, can’t find much to criticise there.
Spot on, I'd say. The Larkin would get my vote, though I did like Kizziah Burton's too -- I stayed beguiled in the fractal flowering :)