Letter: True grit of bards

Monday 22 August 1994 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: I happened to have stopped in Betws-y-coed, on my way back from a poetry course, when I saw your front-page account of the challenge issued to James Fenton by Adrian Mitchell ('Fenton shadow-boxes as Mitchell hypes big fight', 20 August).

It did not surprise me. Poetry is taken seriously in Wales. Poets in the pub in the village of Llanystumdwy, where I was staying, sparred and fought in defence of their art long after lock-in time, while bemused visitors could only marvel at the passion created by the verse.

Perhaps James Fenton should take up the challenge - such a battle of the giants would forever dispel the myth that the writing and performance of poetry is a genteel pursuit.

Yours faithfully,

MADELEINE HEANEY

Northampton

22 August

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Letter: True grit of bards

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering