Since the beginning of the 20th century traditional poetic forms have been felt to be unsuitable for the expression of the modern sensibility. Poets have therefore evolved new and more flexible forms and more oblique modes of expression. Often, however, freedom from set forms has resulted in formlessness, incoherence and obscurity. Colin Wood's poems strike a balance between traditional and modern forms, aiming at clarity and conciseness whilst still embracing contemporary themes. His translations - from French, Russian and Spanish - aim to capture the spirit of the originals without slavish adherence to the letter. The result is a varied and entertaining first volume of poetry.