Interview by Zoë Brigley “It’s a funny thing with writing, as so much of the time I find I don’t really know where I’m going to end up with a poem… I guess what I’m trying to say is sometimes it does happen ‘organically’ and sometimes it’s more purposeful“ How It Is Ac mi glywaf grafangau Cymru’n dirdynnu fy mron. Duw a’m gwaredo, ni allaf ddianc rhag hon. Hon, T.H. Parry Williams And here it holds me in its grip, safe, sounding consonants that roll around these hills, a fi heb fedru mynd. I was away once, never daring in my head or heart to think of how, yng Nghymru, yn y gogledd, roedd y ..read more

Photo credit: Deborah Denker | Interview by Zoë Brigley “Sometimes a short poem or phrase feels a little like a gift: it arrives almost fully formed and I get the sense that adding too much deflates the impact of the image and sound of the poem.“ ​​BUS STOP, GWYNEDD two boys kissing in the shelter of a bus stop in the shadow of a cemetery along the A5 towards Penrhyn and the Afon Cegin Kitchen River one lad clutches the other’s jaw cupped in both hands his hips flexed forward the other’s leant back as if to say how far will you go? how far will you follow ..read more

On 12th May 2023, the online Awarding Ceremony for Wales Poetry Award 2022 (sponsored by Literature Wales) was held, hosted by judge Gwyneth Lewis and Poetry Wales editor Zoë Brigley. If you were able to join us on the evening, thank you so much for your attendance, and for making the event such a special one. If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry – a recording of the event will be made available soon. In the meantime, you can watch previous years awards on our YouTube page – or scroll down to find out who won this year’s awards, and read their poems… FIRST AWARD WINNER Translations of G ..read more

Written by John Goodby | 9th May 2023 This year is the seventieth anniversary of Dylan Thomas’s death in 1953, and appreciation of his work seems to be high as we approach Dylan Day. But appearances can be deceptive, and appreciation is not always understanding. Even now, for such a well-known writer, Thomas’ work is still surprisingly little-understood. There are reasons for this. He had the popular touch, unlike almost any other poet of his stature, and produced work that has mass appeal, but at the same time much of his poetry is ‘difficult’, or rumoured to be. He also led a colourful ..read more

Interview by Zoë Brigley “This poem was unusual for me in that it was written very quickly. Although I experimented with different stanza lengths, this version is close to the very first sketched out draft which was in couplets” The Mistle Thrush I walk after the storm and before the storm coming and as the storm abated the Stormcock sang and I wondered, what is it like to be a bird not knowing the names of storms what is it like to be a bird weathering storm after storm and in that moment I knew and I would tell you but I have no words for that tune and no voice to sing in I am alwa ..read more

Interview by Zoë Brigley “When I’m writing something new, I tend to let it splurge out however it lands, without thinking about form too much, as this holds me back during this initial draft. Then I curate the form more carefully when editing.” I Am In the dream I was beautiful and skinny. Everybody cried when I walked down the aisle. My husband wore a veil and held my wrists. When told to kiss the bride he lifted the tulle from his face and said: Mine, Mine, Mine. My period is six weeks late. There’s a growing damp patch on my ceiling; spots appear, multiply. The Landlord tells me to open ..read more

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for Wales Poetry Award 2022, sponsored by Literature Wales and judged by Gwyneth Lewis Scroll down to learn more about our thirteen shortlisted poets, read their poems, and don’t forget to register for your free ticket (at the bottom of the page) to join us at our online Awarding Ceremony on 12th May 2023 at 7PM BST to find out who will be the three Award Winners Wales Poetry Award 2022 Shortlist In order to preserve the original formatting of the poems, we present the shortlist in PDF format, which you can download/open below or scroll through to rea ..read more

Workshop by Zoë Brigley | Social media compiled and article written by Frances Turpin Welcome to Overcoming Rejection, a series focused on dealing with the worst but most inescapable part of being a writer. In June 2022, we asked our friends on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram what the best advice they could give to someone who’s work had been rejected would be. This series is a collection of that advice, as well as some insights and thoughts from the Poetry Wales team.  Poetry Wales editor Zoë Brigley has written an ‘Overcoming Rejection’ workshop to accompany this ser ..read more

We’re excited to announce a reading from some of our favourite Cardiff-based poets from previous issues at Cardiff Waterstones on May 15th 2023 to celebrate Dylan Thomas Day 2023. Hosted by PW Advisory Committee Chair Taz Rahman (featured in 58.2, 58.1, 57.2, 57.1, 56.3, and judge of our 2021 Pamphlets Award), with readings from: John Freeman (58.3, 58.1, 57.2, 56.2, 55.3, and more) Leigh Anthony Manley (58.3, How I Write a Poem) Des Mannay (58.2, How I Write a Poem) Free refreshments will be provided! Get your tickets below, or via Waterstones’ website here Register on Eventbrite The post D ..read more

Workshop by Zoë Brigley | Social media compiled and article written by Frances Turpin Welcome to Overcoming Rejection, a series focused on dealing with the worst but most inescapable part of being a writer. In June 2022, we asked our friends on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram what the best advice they could give to someone who’s work had been rejected would be. This series is a collection of that advice, as well as some insights and thoughts from the Poetry Wales team.  Poetry Wales editor Zoë Brigley has written an ‘Overcoming Rejection’ workshop to accompany this ser ..read more