‘Never predictable or dull’
Carol Rumens, whose column ran for nearly two decades and garnered a devoted readership, passed away this week at the age of 81. She was widely recognized for her insightful and accessible commentary on poetry. Her selections were eclectic and original, often challenging but never predictable or dull.
Carol was an excellent commentator on poetry, shrewd and deep-thinking but able to express her thoughts in plain English rather than academic jargon. Her taste in poems was eclectic and very original; one didn’t always share it, but it was never predictable or dull. Sheenagh Pugh, Shetland
‘Carol made Mondays something to look forward to’
Many readers found anticipation in Carol’s weekly poem, which became a fixture that brightened their Mondays. Her selections introduced audiences to poets and works they might not have encountered otherwise. Since her final column, some have continued to check the culture section in hope of her return.
Looking out for Carol Rumens’ poem of the week made Mondays something to look forward to. It was a weekly fixture to break off for a few minutes at some point in the day and be introduced to something or someone I inevitably didn’t know, but was glad to meet. I’ve been checking the culture section weekly since her last column and hoping Carol was enjoying a holiday somewhere. So I’m sad to hear we won’t be getting the benefit of her generous insights again, but to have left us. Thank you Carol. Anonymous
‘She was a sympathetic ear when snarky comments about my poem rolled in!’
Carol was known for her kindness and support toward poets, including those whose work she featured. One poet recalled her thoughtful introduction to his poem and her empathetic response to critical comments from readers, which encouraged him to explore her own poetry.
Carol was good enough to choose my poem, as a poem of the week in 2015. Not only did she give it an acute introduction – probably better than it deserved – she also was a sympathetic ear when the, shall we say, rather snarky comments rolled in below the line from ’s famous poetry reading public! Her kindness to me as well as column led me to her own poetry, which is very fine. I’m surprised that she was 81: she seemed much younger. David Ward, retired poet, Virginia
‘She lit the way for female poets’
Carol’s influence extended beyond her column; she inspired many through workshops and mentorship, particularly supporting female poets. Her insight and encouragement were deeply appreciated by those who worked with her.
I took workshops with Carol in University College Cork in the 1990s and she was an inspiration. Always very grateful for her support of my work and many other poets – and as a way-lighter for female poets – whose work I admire, and for her insight into poetry through column. One of a kind. She will be much missed. Anonymous
‘A tremendous poet, cosmopolitan humanist, inspiring mentor and friend’
Carol was recognized for her political awareness and promotion of poetry as a meaningful discourse on global events. Her generosity and mentorship left a lasting impact on fellow poets and readers alike.
Carol was always politically relevant, always promoted poetry as a vital, nuanced, informed and emotionally intelligent discourse about world events. I’ll be for ever grateful for her attention to my work in the column and am glad I could help publish her work as well. Rest in poetry, Carol Rumens – tremendous poet, sparkling, generous, cosmopolitan humanist and my wonderful, inspiring mentor and friend. My deepest sympathies to Carol’s family and all her loved ones. Naomi Foyle, Chichester
‘She had a common touch that made her columns profoundly democratic’
Carol’s even-handed appreciation of poetry from diverse voices made her column accessible and democratic. Her personal kindness was remembered by many who encountered her support during challenging moments.
How much of a loss Carol Rumens is to us poets and to . I’m shocked by her sudden death (she used two of my poems in the column within the last 18 months). She was a uniquely even-handed appreciator of poems from all sectors of the poetry world but had a common touch that made her columns profoundly democratic. Her achievement was exceptional and remarkable. She was personally kind to me when a hostile poet upset me at one of my first festival readings, and I’ve never forgotten that humanity in her. Gwyneth Lewis, poet, Wales
‘Enormous generosity’
Carol’s generosity extended to featuring poets multiple times and including them in special selections, an act that was deeply meaningful to many in the poetry community.
I was amazed the first time that Carol featured my work in poem of the week. And when she did so a second time, I was beyond astounded. She also included me in the Smart Devices selection, which meant an awful lot to me. But these things are just personal examples of her enormous generosity. She will be missed by poets, publishers and readers of poetry. Billy Mills, Ireland
‘You will always be in my heart’
Readers expressed their sadness at Carol’s passing, acknowledging the impact of her words, wisdom, and humor over the years.
I feel so sad tonight having just read this article about Carol Rumens’ death. I am sure all of us who followed and commented on her weekly poetry choices are feeling the same. I can’t write you a poem Carol. but you will always be in my heart for your words and wisdom and humour over the years. Thank you Carol. Patricia, England
‘She featured a poet I recommended to her — then dedicated a poem to him after his death’
Though never met in person by some, Carol’s influence was felt through her stewardship of the poem of the week column. She welcomed recommendations and honored poets such as Nigerian literary scholar Harry Garuba by featuring his work and dedicating a poem to him after his passing.
I never met Carol Rumens in person but, from May 2016 by the English late-modernist poet RF Langley, I began posting comments below the line of poem of the week, sometimes engaging in discussions with her and others in that space. She became the most influential facilitator of poetic talent in the English-language media through her stewardship of poem of the week. In between, she wrote often astute critical commentaries introducing work by poets from all over the world. She may have been underrated or undervalued as a contemporary British poet and critic, but she never condescended to the unknown or unsung. She was generous enough to consider recommendations from others, as when, in June 2018, she featured, from Nigerian poet and literary scholar Harry Garuba’s final collection Animist Chants and Memorials (2017), a copy of which I had sent her. Garuba died of leukaemia, aged 61, in Cape Town, South Africa in February 2020, and Carol wrote the poem A Bed of Wild Strawberries, dedicated to him, and published in Chants, Dreams and Other Grammars of Love: A Gedenkschrift for Harry Garuba (2022). Idowu Omoyele, Kent
‘Carol’s choices were eclectic, not always to my taste but that didn’t matter’
For some readers, Carol’s selections offered valuable insight into poetry creation, even when the poems were not to their personal taste. Her engagement with readers was appreciated.
I’ve always liked poetry but it hovered in the background playing second fiddle to novels and films. When I discovered online 20 years ago, I noticed the PotW column and decided to join in to bring poetry in from the cold. Carol’s choices were eclectic, not always to my taste, but that often didn’t matter as it was a great insight into how work was created. She joined in too, so wasn’t aloof. Edward Taylor, Lancashire
‘I lacked confidence, then Carol chose one of my poems for her column’
Being featured by Carol provided emerging poets with validation and confidence. One poet described how her sensitive and insightful treatment of his work affirmed his poetic voice early in his career.
Carol chose one of my poems early on for her poem of the week: it was ahead of my first book publication and I was still a little confused about “how to poet” and “whether to poet”: I lacked confidence and couldn’t feel my voice as actually mine. Every poem I wrote seemed to me a mishmash of other, older, better poems. It’s impossible to overstate how much the mere fact of being taken seriously, of having my poem delicately and seriously taken apart, each piece held up to the light, made me certain that I wasn’t going wrong or presuming too much. I have been grateful for more than 20 years for that sensitivity and insight. Anonymous
‘Many of her selections have become my favourite poems’
Carol’s weekly poem became a highlight for many readers, introducing them to new poets and works that became personal favorites.
I looked forward to Mondays with Carol’s choice of poem. So many of her selections have become favourite poems and she introduced me to many new poets. Douglas Kemp
