26 JUNE 1941, Page 11

Slit,—In reply to Mr. Williams' question, Mr. Douglas, whilst modestly

disclaiming to be an expert, says " feeling is, and always has been, the only thing that can constitute poetry." This is the kind of thing that drives those of us who really want an answer to the question to despair. Because everyone can see it simply is not true, and just evades the issue.

I may be filled with feeling in looking at a sunrise, but that isn't poetry ; it isn't poetry till I try to put it into words, and not always then. Poetry must be the expression of something—feeling if you like—in words, and it is the outward form which is involved in the question raised by Mr. Williams. Why is Mr. Winser's " poem," which he quotes, poetry?