"We should look forward as well as backward," Kyle stated, "but in reality the latter is more necessary than the former, and it is particularly essential in relation to a poet who may find the times too noisy, too self-centred and too self-righteous to heed him". During both world wars Kyle paid particular attention to people serving in the armed forces, publishing their work and letters, interested in eye-witness accounts.
"We should look forward as well as backward," Kyle declared, "but in reality the latter is more crucial than the former, and it is especially important for a poet who might find the times too noisy, self-centered, and self-righteous to listen to him. During both world wars, Kyle focused particularly on people serving in the armed forces, publishing their work and letters, interested in firsthand accounts."