List Of Writers
ELFYN, MENNA
Cysgod y Graig, Stryd y Gwynt, Llandysul SA44 4BH
Tel: (01559) 362122
Email: menna@elfyn.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.mennaelfyn.co.uk
Award–winning poet and playwright. She is a full time writer and has published seven volumes of poetry. She has also written five stage plays and adapted two for S4C. Her work has been translated into many languages and she has presented her work in festivals around the world. Although Menna writes only in Welsh [in Wales], her translators include Tony Conran, Gillian Clarke, Joseph Clancy and Elin ap Hywel. During the last two years she has been working in the US on a number of projects, mainly libretti.
Reviews:
With respect to Perfect Blemish: New & Selected Poems 1995-2007 (Bloodaxe, 2007):
"…Elfyn’s poetic has been made from the bandaging of the wounds of Wales, the Welsh, women and the world..."
Claire Crowther
"...Elfyn is a poet of healing who, despite satirical impulses, is fundamentally both compassionate and celebratory. Like a soul doctor she questions and probes, like St Teresa she endures the darkness, but in the end she sings a song which affirms that flawed humanity is indeed perfectible..."
Katie Gramich
"...It is deeply reflective, poignant, and empathetic of the dispossessed… Possibly, one of the best books of contemporary poetry there is, and has to be a must have for any reader of poetry. It is certainly one that you will read and re-read to unearth limitless gems of discovery..."
Mike Clement
"...one of the few great voices to emerge from Wales at the end of the 20th century...Elfyn releases her soul as song..."
Hayden Murphy
Selected Publications:
Mwyara (J.D. Lewis, 1976)
Stafelloedd Aros (J.D. Lewis, 1978)
Tro’r Haul Arno (Gomer, 1982)
Hel Dail Gwyrdd (Gomer, 1985)
Mynd lawr i’r nefoedd (Gomer, 1986)
Aderyn Bach Mewn Llaw: Detholiad O Gerddi, 1976-1990 (Gomer, 1990)
Y teulu a’r gymuned (Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg, 1991)
O’r Iawn Ryw: Cerddi Gan Fenywod Yng Nghymru (Honno, 1991)
Madfall Ar Y Mur (Cyfres Cled) (Gomer, 1993)
Eucalyptus (Gomer, 1995)
Cell Angel (Bloodaxe, 1997)
Trying the Line: A Volume of Tributes to Gillian Clark (Gomer, 1997)
Camlas Y Cwm: Pontardawe (Cyfres Y Man A’r Lle/Places Series) (Gwasg Gregynog, 1999)
Ffwl Yn Y Dwr: Casgliad O Gerddi I Bobl Ifanc (Gomer, 1999)
Cusan Dyn Dall: Blind Man’s Kiss (Bloodaxe, 2001)
Rana Rebel (Gomer, 2002)
Caneri Pinc Ar Dywod Euraid: Cerddi Bardd Plant Cymru 2002-3 a Beirdd Ifanc Cymru (Hughes & Sons, 2003)
Perffaith Nam (Gomer, 2005)
Perfect Blemish: New & Selected Poems 1995-2007 (Bloodaxe, 2007)
Er Dy Fod (Gomer, 2007)
Contributed to:
Glas-nos: Poems for Peace/Cerddi dros Heddwch (co-writer) (CND Cymru, 1987)
Seren Poets: The Bloodstream No. 1 (co-writer) (Seren, 1989)
The Adulterer’s Tongue: An Anthology of Welsh Poetry in Translation (co-writer) (Carcanet, 2003)
The Bloodaxe Book of Modern Welsh Poetry (co-writer) (Bloodaxe, 2003)