How were poems composed and refined in Kiribati according to Arthur Grimble?

According to Sir Arthur Grimble’s account in Return to the Islands (1957), the composition of poetry in Kiribati begins with a divine spark of inspiration that grants the poet mana. This inspiration compels the poet to withdraw into a "house of song" to labor over the creation of the poem.1

Once the poet has formed a "rough draft" in their mind, they invite close friends—who are often poets themselves—to hear the work. These friends provide critical feedback, offering suggestions, applause, or harsh criticism. Following this collaborative session, the poet returns to solitude for several days to reflect on the advice, ultimately deciding which elements to accept, reject, or improve based on their own creative judgment.1