In fact, some of the best poems combine a sense of personal present with a universal resonance that emanates from myth, symbol and metaphor. Yet most of the readers of this magazine, if questioned, would undoubtedly agree that some of their most powerful experiences have been 'literary'. Then there's the tendency to associate the emotions with the personal, and the intellect with the literary. Of course, some poets will produce work that is so uncerebral as to be positively banal. This, too, is a limitation.
Some neat footwork is called for.
They may induce a sense of order and certainty in the believer but they're about as useful as a map of the inner city when you're broken down somewhere back of Bourke. Geraldine McKenzie Springwood, NSW From Hilary Beaton Dear Editor, I read Marion Halligan's review of Maria's War in the October issue of ABR with interest as I had recently been asked to review the book for the Courier Mail . As I am sure you are aware, literary criticism has come under a lot of scrutiny over the past few years with good reason, and I am pleased that ABR does use the term review not criticism when examining major new titles . However, I am of the opinion that reviews such as these are better suited to the book pages of newspapers or popular magazines. Hilary Beaton Queensland Writers' Centre.