22 FEBRUARY 1963, Page 8

Sylvia Math The news of a poet's death always saddens

me much more than that of a distinguished states- man or other 'important' figure. 1 had never met Sylvia Plath and know nothing of her except- her poems and the haunting photograph which appeared in Sunday's Observer. So soon after her early death 1 do not find it appropriate to try to say anything in the form of a judgment of her work. But I and many others read and enjoyed her poems, and perhaps that is the best epitaph a poet could wish.