This is the most complete collection of Samuel Beckett's poetry yet to appear, containing much previously uncollected work - both in English and in French. As well as late work written after 1978, when the last volume was published, there is also a section of early poems, probably all written before 1930, when the author was a young man.

This volume illustrates the many stages of development of Beckett's style, from his modernist early work - thick with allusions and references from his readings and studies - to the simpler and very moving post-war poems - many of which have become much loved and quoted, and many set as songs by numerous composers.