The Poems of Rowan Williams

by Rowan Williams

‘I dislike the idea of being a religious poet. I would prefer to be a poet for whom religious things mattered intensely.’

In the poems collected in this book, Rowan Williams writes of many things. He visits the Holy Land, commemorates the deaths of parents and close friends, explores elements of ancient Celtic culture; poems are inspired by works of art, landscapes rural and urban, and historical figures from Tolstoy to Simone Weil. What connects poem to poem is the poet’s vividly sensual language, his formal mastery, and how he can address, specifically and particularly, what matters most intensely. ‘Earth is a hard text to read’, writes Welsh poet Waldo Williams in a poem translated here. For Rowan Williams, this very reading is the task of the poet.

Reading this poet, at such a period in our history, is like feeling the first drops of rain after a long season of drought.
A.N. Wilson, Daily Telegraph

His poetry opens windows on a rich and restless imagination.
Boyd Tonkin, Independent

Genres: Poetry, Theology

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.

Reviews

[Ethan McCarthy]

Some of these get past me, but even those are stretching in helpful ways. Such vivid, evocative language, and such a wide range. A few favorites:

Our Lady of Vladimir
Advent Calendar
Oystermouth Cemetery
Third Station
September Birds
Penrhys
Murchison Falls
Jerusalem Limestone

And from the translations:
Hymn for the Mercy Seat (Ann Griffiths)
In the Days of Caesar (Waldo Williams)
Die Bibelforscher (Waldo Williams)

[Mary Margaret]

I expected to love this a lot more than I did. It is a nice collection of poems, for sure. However, I find Williams’ other writing to feel more poetic, to me.
I did appreciate his references to art and philosophers, a lot.
It was a good read for me, but, personally, not that compelling. I do love Williams’ writing, though, so I will always read more of it.
3/5 stars.

[Robert Heckner]

A very nice collection of tranquil, technically sound, and moving poems.

[Nesta Newman]

I personally preferred the latter half of the collection, particularly Remembering Jerusalem, Celtia, and the translations.

[An Te]

A rich and restless imagination. Allusions to his Welsh homeland found throughout. A joy to explore the lands of Wales with.

[Kamilia Åkerlund]

3.75⭐️

[Douglas Wilson]

Atrocious. Gosh.

[Steve]

Pretty dull.

[Andrew Stout]

Very good. I particularly enjoyed Williams' translations of various Welsh poets.