Collected Poems 1951-1975

Charles Causley is without question one of Britain's foremost living poets. He has been writing poetry for a quarter century that because it is perfectly crafted and easily comprehensible has moved and entertained a large and admiring audience. Causley is one of our language's last great popular poets: his verse rhymes; he employs traditional forms such as the ballad; he writes of the sea, of children, of war, of Cornwall where he has always lived and taught. This volume presents the perfected version of every poem Causley has wished to preserve, together with 23 new ones. These are poems of vigorous rhythms and diction. They express deep compassion and rare insight. While never unsubtle, Causley is always direct — and consequently always readable. Praise for Collected Poems 1951-1975 The truth about Causley is that he is simply the best poet of his kind we have had since the turn of the century. —Derek Parker