Some Reflections on Reading Contemporary British Poetry

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to consider several aspects related to the reception of contemporary British poetry. An interview with the poet Michael Symmons Roberts will help us in our discussion. We will bear in mind Michael Schmidt’s experience as an editor and his views on the role of literary critics with respect to poetry readership as well. In addition, we will provide a brief account of some British poetry magazines and of their impact in the forging of a wide and varied poetry reading audience. We will also argue that University poetry teachers play a decisive role in this matter as well.