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Joined: Sep 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
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 thomasAnd 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.htmFor our German friends (or run the translator): http://www.berlinonline.de/kultur/lesen/belle/.html/belle.199914.03.htmlI 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.htmlThomas was a unique voice, and he’ll be missed.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Pooh-Bah
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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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
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!
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
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
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Re: Song for Gwdion
Entirely too realistic for my taste.
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
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my tasteSorry - can't find the one about bicycling down a mountainside
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Pooh-Bah
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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.
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