We have received two small books of poetry, On a
Lydian Flute and On an Oaten Reed (Stockwell), by Mr. Charles Saunders —with the information that the author is a Hampshire cowman who is educating himself while continuing to do his work on the farm. That anyone with a cowman's work to get through dady—as hard and honest a job as there„ is in the.eountry—! should have, time to study and write poetry is sufficiently astonishing : but (and we must risk being accused of " pat- ronizing " in saying this) that Mr. Saunders' work should show real merit is much more unusual. Poetry is, or should be; more of a whole-time job than many people imagine : when made a. second interest in life it is apt to be second-rate.; yet, whilst we cannot in honesty call Mr. Saunders' work highly original, we find in it an understanding of poetic principles and of the-use of words which is at any rate out of the common. If Mr. Saunders will concern himself more in future with the simplicities of the life about him instead of taking themes such as The Compleynt of the Banished Lover, he may yet do some really good work. Good luck to him, anyhow
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