‘Most of what there is to learn about poetry has to be learnt in one’s own language. But it is mostly learnt by reading and turning over poems in one’s head, and little by deliberate criticism.’ Peter Levi’s essay – meditated, as he says in his preface, with passion and written with great excitement – is entertaining, stimulating and controversial. It is ‘not a thesis but a consideration of some important themes which are inter-related.’