Cover of Collected Poems

Collected Poems

The Collected Poems of Dylan Thomascontains poems that Thomas personally decided best represented his work. A year before its publication Thomas died from swelling of the brain triggered by excessive drinking.

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Since its initial publication in 1953, this book has become the definitive edition of the poet's work. Thomas wrote "Prologue" addressed to "my readers, the strangers" — an introduction in verse that was the last poem he would ever write. Also included are classics such as "And Death Shall Have No Dominion," "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night," and "Fern Hill" that have influenced generations of artists from Bob Dylan (who changed his last name from Zimmerman in honor of the poet), to John Lennon (The Beatles included Thomas' portrait on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band); this collection even appears in the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Roadwhen it is retrieved from the rubble of a bookshelf.

Audience
adult
Length
medium · 203 pages

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  1. Collected Poems Shares poetry, poems, classics
  2. Collected Poems Shares poetry, classics, poems
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  4. Selected Poems Shares poetry, classics, poems

“People who read Collected Poems tend to reach for these next.”

  1. The Cantos
  2. Collected Poems
  3. The Collected Poems
  4. The Collected Poems

“If you want more of the same (literary fiction about writers), start with these.”

  1. Selected Poetry and Prose
  2. Gasoline & The Vestal Lady on Brattle
  3. The Poems
  4. Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“If it was the poetry that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Mother Love
  2. Sinners Welcome
  3. Ghost Girl
  4. In the Surgical Theatre

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Selected Poems, 1947–1995
  2. Langston Hughes: American Poet
  3. High Windows
  4. Death and Fame: Last Poems, 1993-1997