Writing Home

by Hugo Williams

Writing Home is Williams's first full-length collection for ten years. It traces an itinerant childhood and his changing relationship with his actor father. As well as writing home to his father, he writes home from his past--from boarding school, from adolescence, and from the last war,
using material from his father's letters to his mother from North Africa.
"Possibly the most original poet of his generation in England."--Edna Longley, Irish Times

Genres: Poetry

70 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry collection by Hugo Williams is mostly about the death of his father but is nonetheless well-named as it covers his father’s letters sent home during World War II, as well as the poet’s letters sent home from boarding school. As ever with Williams, there is no attempt to be obscure in his communications, which I find refreshing.

Heroes of the Sub-Plot

Look at us, cursed heroes of the sub-plot,
twisting our faces into plaintive masks
over the footlights - terror, desire and glee.
For we are lost, as usual at this hour,
in a wood near the front of the stage -
cuckolds and clowns and palace functionaries,
rolling our eyes to pass the time for you
with one or two approved cross purposes.
See - we have put on character make-up
to distract you from the sound of scenery
being shifted behind our backs. The principals
are waiting in the wings. Too soon
our leading man will make the winding sign
to end our moment balanced in the light.
We smudge our eye-shadow with our tears.

My next book: Reveries Over Childhood and Youth

[Mills College Library]

821.914 W7239w 1985