One of the first major influences in my own poetry journey was the Welsh writer Dylan Thomas. Heard of him? He is arguably the most celebrated Welsh poet of all time. His work was so profound on my own writing that I now own everything he ever published. I even went on a pilgrimage to the little Welsh town of Laugharne. It sits on the estuary of the river Taf and is the location for Thomas's last home, his boat house (where he sat to write facing out toward the sea) and his final resting place ... a plain white wooden cross in a sea of grey tombstones in the churchyard. Dylan Thomas was literally buried beneath a milk-wood. So what of Welsh poetry?
Well, it stretches back more than a thousand years, but the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have witnessed significant developments in both Welsh-language and English-language poetry. Since 1900, as we would expect, Welsh poets have explored themes of national identity, industrialisation, war, language, politics, and the changing relationship between people and the landscape. While remaining rooted in Wales's unique cultural traditions, modern Welsh poetry has become increasingly diverse and internationally recognised.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Wales was experiencing rapid social and economic change. Coal mining, heavy industry and urbanisation transformed many communities, yet the Welsh language remained central to its cultural identity, particularly in rural areas. Poets writing in Welsh continued the ancient bardic tradition, often using traditional poetic forms such as cynghanedd, a complex system of alliteration and internal harmony that seems unique to Welsh poetry. The annual National Eisteddfod was the country's most important celebration of poetry and literature, encouraging new generations of poets writing in both Welsh and English.
A prominent Welsh-language poets of the twentieth century was T. H. Parry-Williams. His work combined traditional Welsh forms with modern philosophical themes, exploring faith, doubt, nature and the challenges of contemporary life. Another influential Welsh-language poet, Waldo Williams, became known for his deeply spiritual poetry, pacifism, and commitment to social justice. His poems celebrated compassion, community and the Welsh landscape while reflecting universal human values.
Dylan Thomas wrote primarily in English, although his work was deeply influenced by Welsh rhythms, landscapes and storytelling traditions. Collections such as 18 Poems and Deaths and Entrances, together with his famous villanelle Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night, established him as one of the greatest poets writing in English. Watch legendary Welsh actor Michael Sheen's astonishing rendering of this poem. Thomas's richly musical language and vivid imagery continue to inspire readers and writers around the world even to this day.
Following the Second World War, Welsh poetry increasingly reflected social and political change. R. S. Thomas, an Anglican priest and one of Wales's most respected poets, explored rural life, religious faith, loneliness, and the effects of modernisation on Welsh communities. His austere, deeply philosophical poems often expressed concern for the decline of the Welsh language and traditional ways of life. Alongside him, Harri Webb wrote politically engaged poetry celebrating Welsh nationalism, working-class culture, and historical identity with wit and passion.
The latter half of the twentieth century saw Welsh poetry become more diverse in both language and subject matter. Gillian Clarke, appointed National Poet of Wales in 2008, has written extensively about nature, family, history, and the environment. Her accessible yet richly detailed poetry has helped bring Welsh literature to international audiences. Menna Elfyn, one of the leading contemporary poets writing in Welsh, has championed the language through poems addressing identity, feminism, human rights, and cultural survival. Her work has been widely translated, demonstrating the continuing vitality of Welsh-language poetry.
Contemporary Welsh poetry reflects the multicultural character of modern Wales. Poets such as Owen Sheers have explored themes of landscape, history, memory, and national identity through poetry, fiction, and drama. Welsh-language poets including Mererid Hopwood, the first woman to win the Chair at the National Eisteddfod, continue to combine traditional forms with modern concerns, ensuring that ancient poetic techniques remain relevant in the twenty-first century.
Performance poetry and spoken word have also become increasingly important in Wales. Festivals such as the Hay Festival of literature and arts and Poetry Wales Live provide platforms for established and emerging poets, while poetry slams and community events encourage wider participation. Many younger poets address issues including climate change, mental health, migration, gender equality and bilingual identity, reflecting the evolving nature of Welsh society and its enduring culture.
Welsh poets continue to shape one of Europe's most distinctive literary traditions. Whether written in Welsh or English, modern Welsh poetry is a powerful expression of the country's language, culture, history and indomitable creative spirit. And I still love Dylan Thomas!
Steve Wheeler
Photo copyright by Steve Wheeler 2025
