Described as witty and original, the work of SYLVIA TOWNSEND WARNER has been having a revival in recent years. Although known primarily as a writer of novels and short stories, her poetry also attracted a lot of attention. Her first book of poetry was published in 1925 and was followed by three more collections over the years. She became a committed Communist in the 1930's and lived for many years with her partner Valentine Ackland near Maiden Newton in Dorset. She died on 1 May 1978, aged eighty-four.