Ffeil / File AAA/8 - Individual poems (loose papers)

Poems by Tony Curtis found loose in the archive, the work dating from the 1960s through to approximately the late 1990s/2000. Many of the poems have been included in published collections of Curtis's work, some of which are described within this archive (for a bibliographical list, see, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Curtis_(Welsh_poet). Some of the poems reflect Curtis's life situation at the time of writing, for example his periods of teaching in Cheshire and Yorkshire during the 1970s ('New Post'. 'End of Term', 'Quatrains for a Cheshire May', 'Quatrains for a Cheshire November'). Different versions of the same poem are grouped together so that Curtis's development of the poem from initial rough draft(s) may be traced, with some poem titles changing over time (order in which drafts appear here does not necessarily reflect original development of poems). Occasionally, more than one poem (eg 'Annie', 'The Loft') bear the same title. Some poems have been signed by Curtis and some are dated, occasionally with a brief note relating to, for example, where the poem was published or whether or not the poem had been reworked. Untitled poems are identified by their first line. The poem 'Tramp' is included as a contribution to the 1968 issue of Swansea University student magazine Dawn. Related material, such as press cuttings, information from printed sources and correspondence, are attached to some of the poems. Additional material relating to the poem 'Reg Webb' includes a prose piece by Curtis titled 'Standing in the drafts: writing Reg Webb'.

The poem 'Trek Across Kinder Scout' was contributed by Tony Curtis to the volume Three Young Anglo-Welsh Poets, published by the then Welsh Arts Council in 1974, the other two contributors being Duncan Bush and Nigel Jenkins (see, for example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Bush and Nigel Jenkins Papers at the National Library of Wales). For the collection, see, for example, under heading Three Young Anglo-Welsh Poets (Welsh Arts Council, 1974) and https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1652408.3_Young_Anglo_Welsh_Poets.

Please note that many of these poems may also be found under other headings within this archive.

The material includes an adaptation by Curtis of a poem translated from the Italian by the writer and translator Andrea Bianchi (see 'Sunday Morning in Alba') (for Andrea Bianchi, see, for example: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/minorities-not-minority-series-2-poets-from-romagna/various/9781907090783) .

Additionally, the following are kept in box containing poems T-Y:
Untitled, fragmentary and rough draft poems (kept in marked folder).
Drafts of contents and acknowledgements pages, many annotated, in preparation for inclusion in published collections of Tony Curtis's poems.
Various poems by Curtis, titled 'Inspiration', 'Tidal', 'Soup', 'Nativity', 'Reg Webb', 'My Papa's Waltz', 'Spring Fed', and the prose piece 'Tortoise' (for which see under heading General prose), the individual works pasted together on sheets of paper.

For Denise Levertov and Michael Harper (see 'Third Didactic Poem' and 'At Abercanaid with Denise Levertov and Michael Harper'), see under heading USA: festivals, inspirations and collaborations. Included with the poem 'At Abercanaid with Denise Levertov and Michael Harper' is a poem by Michael Harper titled 'Visit to Abercanaid', subtitled 'for Denise Levertov'.

WARNING: POEM TITLED 'AFTER THE CRASH' CONTAINS REFERENCES TO CANNIBALISM (See also under heading 'Preparations' within this archive) FACTUAL ACCOUNT, WITH PRESS CUTTING REPORTING THE EVENT

WARNING: POEM TITLED 'WOLF' REFERENCES THE FACTUAL EVENT OF A BABY BORN WITH FACIAL DEFORMITIES, WITH (HYPOTHETICAL) RESPONSES TO THE BABY

WARNING: POEM 'POEM FROM MY FATHER' CONTAINS DETAILED REFERENCES TO A WOMAN'S BODY WASHED UP ON A BEACH; FACTUAL ACCOUNT, WITH PRESS CUTTINGS REPORTING THE EVENT

WARNING: UNTITLED POEM BEGINNING 'WHEN THEY FINALLY BROKE IN ...' CONTAINS REFERENCE TO THE DISCOVERY OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL REMAINS IN A HOUSE. NO APPARENT EVIDENCE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE EVENT WAS FACTUAL. See April 2016 papers under heading Goddard College, where this poem is titled 'The Freezer'.

WARNING: POEM 'ICARUS' REFERENCES A STOWAWAY FROM DELHI FALLING TO HIS DEATH FROM AN AIRCRAFT. WHILE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS PARTICULAR OCCURRENCE IS FACTUAL, SIMILAR EVENTS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE PRESS