Further to the critique in PN Review that you report (Literary world split as poet attacks rise of social media ‘noble amateur’, 24 January), the wonderful thing about the current poetry scene is there is room for all – both experimental and traditional. I enjoyed listening to Hollie McNish on YouTube as much as I enjoyed listening to those nominated for the TS Eliot prize; and to poets reading at Kings Place and other venues across London and elsewhere.
The appreciation of poetry is highly subjective and, it is encouraging to find workshops and readings across the country embracing people of all ages and from all walks of life. I am neither a professor of English nor a publisher, but as for some poetry being “easy to read” and containing “few challenges” – that can be refreshing compared with the pretentious work sometimes promoted, which can be off-putting if not innovative beyond comprehension. Each poet has his/her own voice and variety is surely to be welcomed above cultural homogenisation. The more the merrier, I say (cliche notwithstanding.)
Angela Croft
London
• It is difficult not to sniff a wee bit of the green-eyed goddess in Rebecca Watts’ disdain for “the open denigration of intellectual engagement and rejection of craft” in the performance poetry on social media. Perchance it is this very holier-than-thou stance and up-itself attitude that encourages more accessible and therefore popular material. The world is big enough, grown-up enough, to cope with all artistic attempts. Poetry of all tastes and genres should be celebrated, not begrudged.
Catherine Roome
Staplehurst, Kent
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