RIDE OFF ANY HORIZON: NEW POETRY WEST, VOLUME 1 Edited by Peter Christensen and Lorne Daniel. Edmonton, NeWest Press, c1983. 160pp, paper, $14.95 (cloth), $6.95 (paper). ISBN 0-920316-824 (cloth), 0-920316-78-6 (paper). Grades 10 and up. Reviewed by Pat Bolger. Volume 12 Number 5 1984 September The first in a series of collections of new poetry of the West (with further collections to follow in 1985 and 1987), this anthology proves that Canadian poetry is out there, alive and thriving. Of the seventeen poets included, John Newlove, Sid Marty, and Dale Zieroth are perhaps best known, being represented in anthologies such as Laurence Ricou's Twelve Prairie Poets.* It appears that the others are well on their way to similar recognition on the Canadian literary scene. The standard of work here is high and the range of subjects is broad. Boys would especially like Jim Green's "Dead Horse Winter" and Charles Noble's tributes to machines in "Swather as Threshold" and "At One in the Morning." Two other standouts: Wiseman's "Retirement Day" (must-read for teachers) and Zieroth's "Night Prayers of the Child," which would appeal to any teenager. The book is handsomely and quite durably bound, and the format is spacious and attractive. There is a little background information supplied for each poet; this feature seems rather skimpy and casual. Librarians will suggest this to readers who like poetry, to students who have assigned reading in Canadian literature, and to English teachers who want something new for a class. Very highly recommended. *Reviewed vol. V/l Winter 1977,p.21. Pat Bolger, Renfrew C. I., Renfrew, ON.