THE SNOW LEOPARD

Born in England, Mr. West has taught at universities in the United States; many of these poems, written in the last ten years, have been published in magazines in both countries. He has also written six books of criticism and two of poetry. The poems in this present collection are certainly full of words, and frequently splendid and poetic words, but somehow they often fail to convey a coherent image, idea, or even an irrational emotional force. Many of them are also quite static, revolving around an obscure center, without moving on. Curiously, however, they improve a great deal when read aloud; their language has a music and even ideas and impressions come through which are not obvious to the eye or intellect. This is a pleasant surprise, like being able to read a symphony from printed music, although frustrating for some. Many of the poems were broadcast in England, which almost seems a more natural medium for them than print.