November 15, 2024 4:49 pm

WHAT IS MAN? – Poem by Waldo Williams, one of the finest poets Wales has ever produced

Clear days in the Preseli Hills

Waldo Williams, born in 1904, is said to had been a teacher, passionate and enthusiastic, who used wooden silhouette cutouts of farm animals, with their “Welsh” name painted on one side. He was one of the leading Welsh language poets of the 20th century. His father was a schoolteacher, who spoke Welsh as his native language. After attending the grammar school at Narberth, he studied at the University College of Wales, (Aberystwyth), where he graduated in English in 1926. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egjSgSDMAaE He trained as a teacher and worked in various schools in Pembrokeshire, the rest of Wales and England. He was a Christian pacifist, anti-war campaigner, and Welsh nationalist. In 1911, his father was appointed head of the primary school at Mynachlog-ddu, and there he learnt to speak Welsh. “Cofio”, one in a series of iconic poster poems first published by the Wales Arts Council in the 1970s, is now re-published by Graffeg and represent the very best of Welsh poetry in English language. Poster poems are illustrated through the unique and evocative artwork of Sue Shields. You can discover Pembrokeshire coastal scenery, protected by Britain’s only coastal National Park. Pembrokeshire http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/contact-us/ can be your holiday destination, with golden sands backed by towering cliffs teeming with wildlife. From Victorian seaside towns to atmosphere and intimate coves, this land is a magnet for nature lovers, foodies and families.

WHAT IS MANWhat is living? The broad hall found between narrow walls. What is acknowledging? Finding the one root under the branches’ tangle. What is believing? Watching at home till the time arrives for welcome. What is forgiving? Pushing your way through thorns to stand alongside your old enemy. What is singing? The ancient gifted breath drawn in creating. What is labour but making songs from the wood and the wheat? What is it to govern kingdoms? A skill still crawling on all fours. And arming kingdoms? A knife placed in a baby’s fist. What is it to be a people? A gift lodged in the heart’s deep folds. What is love of country? Keeping house among a cloud of witnesses. What is the world to the wealthy and strong? A wheel, turning and turning. What is the world to earth’s little ones? A cradle, rocking and rocking.

The intellectual property of the images that appear in this blog correspond to their authors. The sole purpose of this site, is to spread the knowledge of these artists and that other people enjoy their works. To pursue this issue, you can digit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cofio-Waldo-Williams-Poster-Poem/dp/1909823678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511776375&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3AWaldo+Williams

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