In 1940 when Europe was being ravaged by war a 33 year old W. H. Auden penned his ‘New Year Letter’ to a friend. In 1990 Gil Bailie spent some time reflecting on this long poem full of erudite references to historical, literary, political and religious subjects.

“We are, I know not how, double in ourselves, so that what we believe we disbelieve and cannot rid ourselves of what we condemn.” – Montainge