March 2010: New year, new look for website
Happy New Year! Sorry we've not updated the site for so long. As it's a new year, we're in the process of giving the website a whole new look and we've nearly finished! While we are working on the site some functions may not be working for a few days. If you have any problems accessing information email welshpoet@hotmail.com. Thank you for your patience.
Friday, October 02 2009: BBC review and October dates
A lovely review from BBC's Adam Walton after the Melys gig this week. Check it out here. And two dates for October have been added, with a possible third which will be on the gigs page as soon as it's confirmed.
Wednesday, August 26 2009: September gig and YouTube update
Pictures should be up on the gallery page now of Emma's performances at the Fringe. The whole week was a huge success - despite the rain. And plans are already afoot for a return visit next year. Meanwhile, Emma has confirmed a performance with Welsh band Melys at Hendre Hall in North Wales next Month. Details, as well as a link to ticket sales are on the gigs page now.
Tuesday, August 11 2009: Fringe Video and October Dates
Pictures and video of Emma's six shows in the Fringe next week should be on the website by the end of the month. Everything is quiet on the gigs front for September to concentrate on other 'serious' writing, but a few performances at literature and music festivals are in the pipeline for October.
Wednesday, July 29 2009: Fringe Time and Dates Confirmed
Apologies for the lack of news updates recently, but everything has been on hold while the Fringe set is prepared. Emma has now received her buskers licence and times, dates and venues for some 30-min outdoor performance slots at the Edinburgh Fringe. We will be posting these on the Gigs page this afternoon.
Tuesday, June 30 2009: Fringe Dates
Emma will be at this year's Edinburgh Fringe festival between Monday to Friday, August 17 to 21. Most performances will be street performances (times and locations tba) with a few venue performances being lined up too. We will post all the details here and on the gigs pages as soon as it has been confirmed.
Wednesday, June 18 2009: Alun Lewis poem, and 'non-fairytale' comic rhymes
Recently Emma was commissioned to write a tribute poem to Welsh war poet Alun Lewis. The final version is below. A recording of Emma reading the poem has been included on a tribute CD which was launched in the South Wales town of Cwmaman recently.
And due to popular demand we are looking at putting a few of Emma's 'non-fairy' comic rhymes on this website in the next few weeks. Also, to remind anyone that if you have heard Emma performing a poem which is not currently on this site we can arrange to send you a copy if you email welshpoet@hotmail.com
Alun Lewis Selected Poetry by Emma Williams
All day it has rained and I have sat with The Unnamed Soldier,
and Edward Thomas and Old Dafydd.
While you have grown no older,
Forever twenty-eight, showing us what love is.
Letters for your beloved Gweno,
hiraeth for this proud country.
An ode, or few, for the valleys you knew
so well and where your heart was free.
Taken like so many, too soon,
so suddenly the hurt of it won't heal.
And in your notebooks so much room
that aches across the ages to be filled.
A poetic device of destiny for a pacifist
to fall by the war machine.
Sweet Gweno's lips left unkissed,
and the rest of us wondering what should have been.
Tents in muddy fields are for pleasure now,
moments treasured, where young poets have happier times,
and simpler things to tempt their pen to rhymes.
Your voice does not echo from the past,
it shouts us to attention off the page.
All day the sun has shone on this cwm,
you called home but never more will rest,
but we are blessed to love it through your eyes
and keep your words safely by our side.
Tuesday, June 09 2009: Listen to Emma reading her poems!
We have put mp3 tracks of Emma reading some of her poems on the website. Check them out on the new Audio Clips page. There are three up currently, but we will be adding more very soon so please check back.
Friday, June 05 2009: Another gig and Fringe talk!
Emma will be performing in Cwmaman in a few weeks. Click here for details.
There is also exciting talk of taking a few Bedtyme Storyies to the Fringe in Edinburgh this summer as part of a group of performers and artists. Any shows will mainly be as street performances as most Fringe acts are fully booked by now. But a few venues have been booked by the group. Keep an eye on this news page for more details.
Monday, June 01 2009: BBC Radio 4 Poetry Slam - Welsh heat
Emma will be competing at the Welsh Heat of the Radio 4 UK Performance Poetry Slam in July. Two winners from the event will go on to the semi-final which will be recorded for broadcast. We will keep the gigs page updated with details as we get them.
Wednesday, May 27 2009: Possible new gig date in Cardiff
Following a successful gig at a pub in Cardiff the other week Emma is in talks with the event organiser to return. A possible date for this is Wednesday, June 3, but this has not been confirmed so don't make any travel arrangements yet. We will post details on the gigs page as soon as it has been confirmed.
Thursday, May 21 2009: New feature and commissioned poem
Welcome to the newest feature on the website. We will use this page for any information on gigs or work. Currently Emma is rehearsing for her gig in Leamington Spa in June. She has been commissioned to write a poem about Welsh poet Alun Lewis and is hoping to have it finished in a few weeks. We will publish that on this news page when it is complete if there is no copyright issue.