Rumens, whose column ran for nearly 20 years and developed a loyal readership, died this week aged 81 Rumens, whose column ran for nearly 20 years and developed a loyal readership, died this week aged 81 Carol was an excellent commentator on poetry, shrewd and deep-thinking but able to express her thoughts in plain English rather than academic jargon. Her taste in poems was eclectic and very original; one didn’t always share it, but it was never predictable or dull. Sheenagh Pugh, Shetland