Since his death in 1986, W.S. Graham has become widely acknowledged as a major voice in post-war British poetry. 'Approaches To How They Behave' first appeared in his landmark collection Malcolm Mooney's Land. It is reproduced here together with a selection of extracts from Graham's correspondence and an introduction from the acclaimed poet-critic Sean O'Brien.

“‘Approaches to How They Behave’ is quintessential W.S. Graham, one of the clearest examples of his personal aesthetic. It has everything – his authority, philosophy, and also his humour. The engaging courtesy with which he speaks to his reader (whilst holding him painlessly by the ear) disguises the skill with which he projects us into an unexpectedly serious consideration of the real nature of poetry and its relevance to life. Nothing trivial here!” – Michael Seward Snow