Thursday 7 October 2021

National Poetry Day

                               

Where else to spend National Poetry Day? You couldn't beat a walk in Cwmdonkin Park, the childhood playground of Dylan Thomas, the inspiration for some of his most famous words, where "the memories of childhood have no order and no end". I spent most of today in Swansea on the Dylan Thomas Trail, visiting the Dylan Thomas Centre, the park and the house in which he was born. From a very early age I've read and reread his poetry and his prose, listened to his recordings, visited the places with which he was associated. I can never tire of his work - I find more in it at every visit. And on my desk I have a postcard with his photo and words that cheer me immeasurably as I'm struggling with draft after draft of a poem : "I write a poem on innumerable sheets of scrap paper, write on both sides of the paper, often upside down and criss cross ..."

I do hope you've had the chance to take part one way or another in National Poetry Day too - there have been so many nationwide events, in person this year (thank goodness) as well as on line, or perhaps you've been reading some favourite old or some recently found new poems. Which ever - happy National Poetry Day!