Amazing new poem by Ben Mazer in Eyewear

From "Monsieur Barbary Brecht" by Ben Mazer (author of, most recently, POEMS), as appears at the Eyewear blog edited by Todd Swift:

In the hall the rich children glare and they stare

at the poor little visitor who enters there,

his musical prodigy greater than theirs

sends them scuttling in snide little groups up the stairs.

But the hostess is compassionate and hands him a score,

but he just doesn’t feel up to play any more,

and wonders what lies behind the magnificent door

where the children all vanished, and his vision is flecked

by the shadowy mustache of Monsieur Barbary Brecht!

Melita Hume Prize for Poetry

Eyewear Publishing announces its inaugural (2012) THE MELITA HUME PRIZE FOR POETRY. This is an award of £1,000 and a publishing deal for the best first full collection (i.e. debut) of a young poet writing in the English language, born in 1980 or later. The aim of this prize is to support younger emerging writers during difficult economic times, with a quality publication in England and a helpful amount of money which can assist them in their studies, travel or accomodation, for example. This is open to any one of the requisite age, anywhere in the world.

About the sponsor: Melita Hume is a Canadian book collector, and compiler of information about Canadian authors, who lived most of her life in St. Lambert and the Eastern Townships.

Please post your submissions to: Melita Hume Prize for Poetry, Eyewear Publishing, Suite 38, 19-21 Crawford Stree,t London W1H 1PJ United Kingdom.

Please include an SASE or equivalent, a biographical note of 100-250 words, and a brief covering letter including email contact details. The deadline for submission is April 8, 2012. The winner will be announced September 1, 2012. For email queries, contact info @ eyewearpublishing.com