This poetry handbook is for anyone interested in poetry today - members of poetry workshops, students, or individuals at home. The book covers traditional metres, sound patterns and forms, but strongly emphasizes the more difficult questions of the rhythm, sound and shape of contemporary poetry. It discusses poetry's content and scope, and poetry in society - both in Britain and, by way of contrast, revolutionary Nicaragua. This is followed by a chapter on translating poetry. The conclusion makes some suggestions about where to look for poetry in Britain today. Included is a list of addresses and publications. Dinah Livingstone runs Camden Voices Poetry Group and has translated Poems by the Chilean poet Maria Eugenia Bravo.