To me, the spirit and content of an inspired poem is potential form; and in its natural verbal expression, of necessity organic. The inspiration shapes and perfects the form. This is why I regard the actual form as only, at most, equal in importance to what is expressed.
The old saying, "There is nothing new under the sun," is an absurdity. Universal life is ever evolving or becoming, and new phases are constantly appearing. To detect and reveal these in original and artistic forms is the work of genius. Generally speaking, the world of art is the world of concepts, emotions and actions, illumined by the imagination.
This volume contains most of the Canadian poems of the Great War, which are worth preserving. They are two hundred and twenty in number, representing seventy-three poets. As the poetic expression of a young nation, involved for the first time in a life and death struggle, it is unique, and has psychological and historic value.
For valuable suggestions received the Editor's thanks are particularly due to R. H. Hathaway and M. O. Hammond, of Toronto; to Dr. J. D. Logan, of Halifax; to Alfred Buckley, M.A., of Ottawa; and to A. M. Pound, notary public, of Vancouver.
The Editor is also grateful to the following, for permission to use copyright poems: the poets included, or, in a few instances, the executors of their estates; G. P. Putnam's Sons; William Briggs; Thomas Allen; J. M. Dent & Sons; McClelland, Goodchild & Stewart; Punch, London, Eng.; Canadian Magazine; and University Magazine.
Toronto, Canada,
November 1st, 1918
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