Fifty or so contemporary poets share both their thoughts about Edward Thomas, and their poetry, in this new anthology from Enitharmon Press. That Edward Thomas, who was killed in the Great War, influences modern poets so much should be no surprise to anyone who has read his work. 

When I held my copy of the book yesterday, for the first time, I couldn’t believe it. It was so beautifully produced, with enormous attention given to design and appearance.  Then I had waited nearly two years for it to appear [perfectly normal, not a complaint], since  I was invited to submit two poems.  And I turned the pages slowly, savouring the alphabetical company I was in.  Surely they must know I’m an interloper here, somewhere after Seamus Heaney and Andre Motion, and somewhere before Owen Sheers and Ann Stevenson?   
I was on a bus.  Who could I show it to? 

I looked at the woman on my right, sniffling with a cold, or the girl behind me playing music on her mobile, with supreme disregard for anyone about her.  I carefully folded Branch-Lines away, back in its packaging, and into my bag.  And all day I felt it glow like a heat source amongst my diary, woolly hat and pens...