Poetry in Motion
On Friday of 0th week, whilst the hoi polloi kick-start the term with a traditional post-Collections pint or ten in the Kings Arms, I smugly take a seat in New College's Long Room to await the arrival of, count them, four Great Women Poets. Sadly such novel, and I admit perhaps delusional, sensations of cultural superiority rapidly dissipate, as a surreptitious glance about the room reveals it to be packed with ladies of a certain age, kitted out in twin sets and sensible shoes. I briefly wonder if I've inadvertently wandered into a meeting of the WI, before recalling Germaine Greer's recent insight that middle-aged women in this country support culture like the men support sport. Crisis averted, brow wiped, I settle back as the first and best known of the evening's poets takes the floor. ...
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