I FEEL sorry for Ida Mary Goodrick (Auden's shame, Letters, March 7) if she is unable to separate politics from every other walk of life. The fact that W H Auden was a pacifist is widely known and yes, he moved to America for the duration of the Second World War, but please, why should that put us in denial regarding his merits as a highly-regarded and talented poet of the 20th century?

With Auden having been born in York, it is only right that we should celebrate this fact.

Despite being one of the most accomplished writers of verse during the last century, he received no honours, etc (primarily due to his political views). It seems a pity that the only recognition in his home city is a plaque on the house where he was born on Bootham.

I would suggest that Ida (and others) put politics to one side (we have far too much of that in any case, for goodness sake) and read some of Auden's verse; he had a good deal of insight into human nature (both at its best and worst).

You never know Ida, you might enjoy it.

Ian McCart, Church Close, Tollerton, York.