Welsh
poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) suffered with asthma all
his life. His best-known works include the "play for
voices "Under Milk Wood" and the celebrated
villanelle for his dying father, " Do not go gentle
into that good night". Appreciative critics have
also noted the superb craftsmanship and compression of
poems such as In my craft or sullen art and the rhapsodic
lyricism of Fern Hill.
Dylan Thomas suffered with asthma and bronchitis his whole
life. Thomas was known to be a sickly child and was
considered too frail to fight in World War II, instead
serving the war effort by writing scripts for the government.
Thomas was well known for being a versatile and dynamic
speaker, best known for his poetry readings. His powerful
voice would captivate American audiences during his speaking
tours of the early 1950s. He made over 200 broadcasts for
the BBC.
The 2008 film "The Edge of Love" starring Keira
Knightley and Sienna Miller loosely based on Thomas
and wife Caitlin Mac Namara revived interest in the brilliant
and charismatic poet. |
