Poetry occupies a paradoxical place in contemporary British and American culture, where it is perceived both as a difficult form of high art and as a straightforward, accessible means of self-expression. This work addresses the place of poetry through the cultural institutions and practices which mediate our sense of its value, from anthologies and academia to film and the Internet. Attention is also given to the role of political ideologies and local, national and ethnic identities in the formation of poetic values. With chapters by critics from both sides of the Atlantic, the book ranges widely over contemporary poetry in America and the British Isles as well as exploring transatlantic connections. Informed by current theological debates around ideas of value, the chapters focus these through clear discussion of texts in various media, including the work of a wide variety of poets and movements. The book seeks to carry forward the debate on the value of contemporary poetry amongst critics, scholars and practitioners while offering material for students and teachers of contemporary poetry and culture. Contributors include: Jonathan Allison; Vicki Bertram; Paul Breslin; Cairns Craig; Robert Crawford; Lilias Fraser; Alan Golding; Jane Goldman; Romana Huk; Marjorie Perloff; and Andrew Roberts.