Crowe, Thomas Rain

The Laugharne Poems

ISBN: 0863814328
Llandysul, Wales: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1997. First Edition. Softcover. Inscribed & signed by Thomas Rain Crowe. "Thomas Rain Crowe is a poet native to America who believes in journeys. His poems stem from a sensibility that is far reaching and world wide in its intensity while at the same time able to absorb the particularity of everyday life. One senses a great struggle between worlds in his poetry and a restless dialectic between light and darkness, between movement and immobility. While visiting Wales for the first time in 1993, he immediately adopted a love for the culture and community...and was given permission...to be the first person since Dylan (Thomas') death in 1953, Welsh or otherwise, to use the Boat House in Laugharne as a place from which to write. The collection The Laugharne Poems is the result of that collaboration between poet and place..." (from Foreword by Menna Elfyn, pg. 9) a collection of poems that celebrate & are inspired by the places & people of Wales, especially its most iconic poet, Dylan Thomas. Acclaimed poet & publisher Thomas Rain Crowe was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s (see our book, Starting from San Francisco, Item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). Since that critical early literary period, Crowe has been based in his beloved state of North Carolina where he was born, & has explored the world's histories, cultures & languages. Of Crowe's particular interest & expertise are those of Ireland, Scotland & Wales. This volume is the apotheosis of his immersion in Thomas' Wales over two summers during the 1990s. With foreword by the noted & prolific Welsh poet & children's book author Menna Elfyn (quoted above); prose prologue by Crowe; section of "Notes on Terms and Titles" following poems. All text in English. Trade-format softcover original Welsh production, first edition. On the title page, Crowe has hand-written, signed & dated not long after publication: "For Bill-/ who knows Dylan's song/ and sings-!/ All best/ (signed) Thomas Rain Crowe/ 5/1/99/ Ossaban(?)." An essential & rewarding Crowe collectible, especially with this relevant inscription. In very fine condition with only very light rubbing & sparse spotting to front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; mild rubbing & spotting to edges of text block. Interior very fine with only mild spotting to blank front endpaper; tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #3922]

Price: $35.00 save 20% $28.00