THE MOVEMENT AND THE GROUP
S112,—M r. Hill is right, of course. Poetry is an in- dividual not a group activity. The fact that certain poets with strong individual voices attend the meet- ings of a particular group seems to me irrelevant: for they come to discuss, not to create. Their poetry
written elsewhere—in spite of, not because of, the 'seminars.'
The act of criticism is. naturally, very different from the act of creation, and dependent upon it. But when the discussions of a group grow too loud and too public, criticism can become a substitute for poetry. It is then necessary for someone to point out -to the reading public that there are other poets— as good or better—writing. Writing, that is. not talking. Dannie Abse did it with his 'Mavericks' anthology, when there was Movement everywhere. Now it is Mr. Hill's turn to right the balance.
7 Hillcrest Avenue, NW I I JEREMY ROBSON
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