Selected Poems and Prose

Resumen del libro

The selected poems and prose writings of Edward Thomas, both war poet and eulogizer of peacetime England. Edward Thomas' life was one of astounding literary prolificity - between 1897 and 1917 he published nearly thirty volumes of topography, biography and literary criticism. Yet he regarded his writing largely as a necessary yet burdensome means of supporting his family, and the constant and unabating deadlines contributed to long periods of depression and isolation. It was not until 1914 that, encouraged by his friend and fellow poet Robert Frost, he began to write verse, and in poetry he found the perfect medium to express his exquisite reflections of mood, atmosphere and landscape. He produced poetry of astonishing quality and lasting value on the themes closest to his heart: rural England and those who live in it, transience, endurance and death. By 1917, when he was killed on Easter Monday on the Western Front, he had earned his place as one of England's most valued poets and observers. Poems and prose selected by David Wright in 1981. About the author: Edward Thomas (1878-1917) was an English poet, journalist and essayist. He made his living writing prose for many years, until he was encouraged to compose verse by the American poet Robert Frost. This led to a prolific outburst of extraordinary poetry, which was brought to a tragic end when Thomas was killed in the First World War.