THE WIND SOUTHERLY

Born is North Carolina in 1939, the author of these poems now lives in a state park where her husband is chief forester. She has published two novels, The Edge of the Woods and Tenants of the House. The poems in this volume reflect her unusual background. Lyric, quiet, so oblique in their reference that their meanings are felt before being understood, these poems touch on the South and the world of nature, but interweave both realities with strange personalities and a pervading sense of myth. The book suffers from being poorly arranged; personal poems jostle myth-stories, and lyric descriptions are mixed with memories of the war; a pity, since the abrupt mood-changes are confusing, and tend to conceal the delicacy and skill with which each poem focuses on its particular emotion. But this is good poetry; the work of a strong, sure, interesting poet, who uses odd, personal imagery to express fragile emotions and incidents forcefully despite an apparent restraint and quietness.