Peter Porter

So Peter Porter has died ; one fish fewer swimming against the poetry tide. I don't mean in terms of attitude, but stylistically - an Augustan, metaphysical and satirical poet, in a largely Romantic age. I met him once, a few years ago when he came to read and talk to the creative writing students at Sheffield Hallam. He was good-natured and tolerant, urbane and interesting. He talked about Auden, and read one or two including 'The Cave of Making' - it unlocked Auden for me, and now when I read late Auden there's always the faint hint of an Australian accent somewhere in the background. And - he wouldn't have clumsily written the word 'Auden' three times in one short sentence, as I just have...