Of Jewish descent, he writes movingly of his father's escape from the Holocaust. He uses ancient Jewish verse models to great effect, as well as modern forms. I found Philip Hammial the least rewarding of the other three, challenging but at times too effusive. Coral Hull's experiments with form are interesting, sometimes blending prose and poetry. Stephen Oliver's directness of address, and sequence of short, intensely personal poems brought yet another distinctive note.
Australian poets seem to be more willing to experiment than many of our own.
2nd July 1999.