A rich tapestry of creative contemporary writing by 30 Welsh poets, comprising 105 poems in English and 36 poems in Welsh with English translations by Grahame Davies, the majority of poems having appeared previously in other publications, with an introduction by both editors, full acknowledgements of previous publications and short biographical notes on the poets.

Clytwaith cyfoethog o ysgrifennu creadigol cyfoes gan 30 bardd Cymreig, yn cynnwys 105 cerdd Saesneg a 36 cerdd Gymraeg gyda chyfieithiadau Saesneg gan Grahame Davies, y mwyafrif o'r cerddi wedi ymddangos mewn cyhoeddiadau blaenorol, gyda chyflwyniad gan y ddau olygydd, cydnabyddiaeth lawn o gyhoeddiadau blaenorol a nodiadau bywgraffyddol byr ar bob bardd.

Oxygen brings together a wealth of contemporary poets from Wales, showcasing a fine range of voices, styles and approaches that underscore the current vein of writing emerging from this country.

Confident, audacious and often very wise, this book is both a welcome and necessary demonstration of the creative and artistic skill that such a culturally rich country as Wales is producing. Through combining work written in English and Welsh, the book also shows that a poetic spirit is alive and practised in both linguistic mediums. As Amy Wack expounds in her introduction, "Wales does reasonably well in the production of poets" considering the size of its population. Indeed, both editors of Oxygen are to be praised for their judicious and exciting selection. It is a book that, above all, proves writing in Wales continues to develop and grow.

The poets provide an emotional sophistication and intellectual agility that endows many compositions with a fierce, uncompromising energy. These are poems of elegance and insight, equally effective whether probing private feeling or exploring public spaces. Serious thought and ironic vigour successfully meld in shaping this book's depth of resonance. You sense from these poets a sincere and committed engagement with their material. Moreover, their choice of language is telling and their verse carefully etched. Reinforcing the skills and daring accomplished by earlier generations of Welsh poets, Oxygen confirms that literary talent in Wales continues to breathe with confidence and with verve. The trenchant work of this present ensemble should be congratulated and finely nutured.

David Wareham

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.