State College Times Column on SJSTC Poets

October 6, 1926

page 6

Sketches (appears to be a regular column in the paper)

   THAT POETRY of a respectable nature is being written right in our midst is being manifested every day.

***

   FIRST COMES Dr. Henry Meade Bland and his splendid new book, "California and Other Poems." "California," a chant royal, is a most scholarly work, filled with many lines of fragile beauty. This poem probably more than any other Californian's work catches the essence of our superbly beautiful wets. The chant royal is a task for a big poet.

***

   IF YOU are interested in poetry drop around and talk to  Dr. Bland. If you aren't interested go anyway, and if you return without admiring Dr. Bland, there is something wrong with your make-up. And go prepared to buy this excellent new work; every student of this school should own it.

***

   SIBYL CROLY HANCHETT dedicates this poem to him:

THE TEACHER

Passing through this world like a flame,

I have warmed,

I have seared,

I have illumined.

Tell me, before I flicker into darness,

Is there somewhere

A torch that I have kindled?

   THIS WITHOUT its personal significance is a great poem. No doubt you know by this time that she was the winner of the Phelan Poetry Contest. And as usual we hear little of our own poets, but Mrs. Hanchett has already attracted some attention in the literary world. "The Saturday Review of Literature" recently devoted an article to her and a sonnet form of which she is the inventor, while Lomse  (sp?) Bogan, former editor of "The Measure," a magazine of poetry, in a criticism speaks most favorable of her future:

***

MRS. HANCHETT'S work is largely divided in sonnets and free verse. The sonnets are sensitized with a modern trend that makes them a most suitable medium for her highly original mind.

***

  THOSE OF us who have read Virginia Sanderson's book of poems look with a great deal of expectancy at her homecoming. We hope that we may see in print some of the color of Europe, which never fails to catch the eye of the poet.

***

   ELWYN BELL won the second prize in the Phelan Contest, and his poetry is most commendable. There is a delicate finished vein in his verse which is not evident in the work of most young poets. His free verse seems to be of the greatest significance, though he has done several things in the orthodox forms that bear notice, while in all there is to be found a rich, masculine beauty.

***

   ALMA WILLIAMS has been writing poetry containing a distinct lyric note, while Mrs. Fayler has won recognition in the stricter forms. These and many more, including myself, are constantly working towards our respective stars, which all goes to show that we have a few, if not several poets in our college worth noticing.

W.M.

SJSU Campus Reading Program

Questions or comments? Please contact us at

sjsureads@sjsu.edu