Rumens, whose column ran for nearly 20 years and developed a loyal readership, died this week aged 81
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
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 what an archive to have left us. Thank you Carol. Anonymous
Carol was good enough to choose my poem, Material Culture, 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 the Guardian’s famous poetry reading public! Her kindness to me as well as the Guardian 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
