Scribblings of a Swansea Jack

I have tried to select my poems and stories set in and around Swansea for this little book or featuring Swansea characters. It follows the path of my own life from my boyhood in St Thomas to my youth in the Merchant Navy and then my occupations as a Steel Erector (Iron Fighter) and teacher and lecturer. But there are quite a few digressions from this general theme in the text -you will probably be glad to know!



Of course, the poems were written to be said not read and this can make for a difference in the nuance of the piece e.g. I used to read the first poem 'Dylan's Townie' in a Swansea accent for the first two verses and then take on the 'posh' English accent of Dylan Thomas for the third verse with its more ambiguous and flamboyant imagery.



I hasten to add that I don't see myself as anywhere near as accomplished and brilliant poet as Dylan. However, my favourite poet of the 20 Century is W.B.Yeats and this can lead to even greater problems!