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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread R.S. Thomas #7012 09/26/2000 4:57 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 maverick Carpal Tunnel maverick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 I would like to indicate a moment’s great respect for another fine Welsh poet, who died yesterday – RS Thomas. He too, like Dylan Thomas, had a mellifluous command of English with a distinctive Welsh voice – though not with Dylan’s humorous ear. His sad and mournful tone had “images like slate - hard and sharp; his style spare, unflinching, honest.” A tiny sample for anyone who doesn’t know his work: "I must go down with the poor Purse of my body and buy courage, Paying for it with the coins of my breath." Brief biog can be seen here: http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/5/0,5716,74055+1+72173,00.html?kw=r s thomas And Jackie, he also learnt his native Welsh later in his life, so if you want to see the full spendour of his language on the site put up by Gomer Press (Gwasg Gomer in Welsh), who are local publishers: http://www.gomer.co.uk/cymraeg/llyfrsaes/cymruorw.htm For our German friends (or run the translator): http://www.berlinonline.de/kultur/lesen/belle/.html/belle.199914.03.html I came across this interesting quote on the address which follows: "I once asked a Welsh Poet...."Why Poetry for Wales?" The answer... 'That Empires have their buildings and their wealth, but small countries have what comes forth from the heart.... its’ words, its’ language, its’ poetry' I agree that a nation without a language is a nation without a soul!" http://www.celticpandc.com/r.s.thomas_&_welsh.poets.html Thomas was a unique voice, and he’ll be missed. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7013 09/27/2000 8:51 AM Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 2,204 RhubarbCommando Pooh-Bah RhubarbCommando Pooh-Bah Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 2,204 As I have written in the "German" thread, I join you, sadly, in your remembrance of this fine man. I am not Welsh - although I suspect that there are welsh genes in me - but this poet reaches the hearts of everyone who has such an organ. He will, indeed, be missed but the Lord be praised that he has left us such a fine legacy. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7014 09/27/2000 11:58 AM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Jackie Carpal Tunnel Jackie Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky maverick, Thank you for introducing me to this fine man. I went to one of the links, and found some of Thomas' poems. Very--gosh I hate to use a cliche, but it fits--picturesque. E.g., "his back comes straight Like an old tree lightened of the snow's weight?". What a wonderful allusion! Will keep him in mind on my next trip to the library. Just now I am waiting for my four requested ones on Rupert Brooke to come in. I am in love with that man! Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7015 10/02/2000 4:33 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 maverick Carpal Tunnel maverick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 I've had a few messages interested in RS Thomas, so thought you might enjoy another taste: this is from his Collected Poems 1946-1968 Song for Gwdion When I was a child and the soft flesh was forming Quietly as snow on the bare boughs of bone, My father brought me trout from the green river From whose chill lips the water song had flown. Dull grew their eyes, the beautiful, blithe garland Of stipples faded, as light shocked the brain; They were the first sweet sacrifice I tasted, A young god, ignorant of the blood’s stain. Bloodaxe Books 1986 ISBN 0 906427 96 7 Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7016 10/02/2000 7:55 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Jackie Carpal Tunnel Jackie Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Re: Song for Gwdion Entirely too realistic for my taste. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7017 10/03/2000 10:46 AM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 maverick Carpal Tunnel maverick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 my taste Sorry - can't find the one about bicycling down a mountainside Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: R.S. Thomas #7018 10/04/2000 3:32 PM Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 2,204 RhubarbCommando Pooh-Bah RhubarbCommando Pooh-Bah Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 2,204 Realistic? yes, on one level, but the imagery is as deep as the pool that yielded up the trout. A wonderful piece, Mav - thanks again. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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