Kathleen Raine: she died a couple of years ago at a ripe old. In the 60's she was briefly married to Gavin Maxwell during one of his denial phases, and a line from Kathleen's poems provided the title for his famous book 'Ring of Bright Water'.

Her pomes iz wikkid, innit? A wilful luminous Classicism ensured she'd never be a contender against the likes of spiteful Phillip Larkin, or the unspeakable Andrew Motion. She died not unlamented but largely unrecognised.

The only prob is that it can be difficult not to hear her as being read by Penelope Keith in full Margot Ledbetter mode. Some of it can get a bit, well, 'overwrought'. Thank you, Kathleen, that was lovely. Now sit down and have cup of tea, dear.

Still, its all good stuff, and got me out of more than one tight spot on quiz nights with the Erdington Chapter of The League of St George. Here's to ye, Kate. In Elysium's fields may ye dwell:-

"Who dreams these isles,
Image bright in eyes
Where waves beat upon rock, or rock-face smiles
Winter and summer, storm or fair.
In eyes of eider clear under ever-moving ripples the dart
and tremor of life;
Bent-grass and wind-dried heather is a curlew's thought,
Gull gazes into being white and shell-strewn sands "
                    --- Eilleann Chanaidh, by Kathleen Raines.