The Poems of Rowan Williams

by Williams

The Poems of Rowan Williams gathers all of the poems from the Archbishop's two previous collections, After Silent Centuries (1994) and Remembering Jerusalem (2001), and includes some more recent ones as well. The subject matter of these sixty-five poems ranges broadly - the natural world, works of art, a visit to the Holy Land at Easter, ancient Celtic artifacts, a group of thin girls waiting at a bus stop, grief at the loss of loved ones.

Genres: Poetry, Theology

111 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ethan McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Nesta Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Kamilia Åkerlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Atrocious. Gosh.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dull.

[Andrew Stout · Rating 3 out of 5]

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