I distinguish between modern poetry and contemporary poetry. In this book I discuss and demonstrate what I mean by the latter. One characteristic, perhaps the main one, of contemporary poetry, as of all contemporary creative art, is that thinking and feeling are one. By the same token do beauty and truth not figure separately, as illusion and opinion. This book is itself a contemporary statement in favour poetry, however entirely from a personal practitioner's point of view. I show how it can be done and do not wish to be imitated except perhaps in my belief that contemporary poetry is an eminently worthwhile activity as an aid to mature human being and life.