THOMAS DYLAN: (1914-1953) Welsh Poet.

THOMAS DYLAN: (1914-1953) Welsh Poet.
An interesting A.L.S., Dylan Thomas, one page, 8vo, Boat House, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, 25th August 1953, to George Rogers. Thomas apologises for not replying to his correspondent's letter earlier and continues to remark 'I was very interested to hear of the issue of 'Les Forces Vive' that is to be devoted to 'Les Forces Vives Anglaises', and most grateful that you have asked me to write a short section on Wales.' Thomas adds 'I would of course, be only too delighted to, under ordinary circumstances, but I'm afraid I find it impossible now' explaining 'I have some urgent commissioned work to finish by the end of this month & then I am leaving for the States.' A letter of good content written just months before the poet's untimely death at the age of 39. Rare. VGThe 'urgent commissioned work' Thomas refers to was a final version of Under Milk Wood, his 'play for voices', commissioned by the BBC. In May Dylan, had been in America, and a stage performance of its then state took place at the Poetry Centre of the 'Y' in New York on 14th May. Thirty minutes before it started, Dylan was in a locked room being forced to write the beginning and end. At the beginning of June, he began revisions for the BBC. Dylan handed the manuscript to producer Douglas Cleverdon on 15th October, shortly before the visit to America that closed his life.The monograph Les Forces Vives Anglaises appeared in Pas à pas, published by the Fédération Française des Maisons des Jeunes et de la Culture, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Nos. 50-51, Janvier-Février, 1955Although writing exclusively in the English language, Thomas has been acknowledged as one of the most important Welsh poets of the 20th century. He is noted for his original, rhythmic and ingenious use of words and imagery. Thomas became widely popular in his lifetime and remained so after his premature death in New York City. By then he had required a reputation, which he had encouraged, as a 'roistering, drunken and doomed poet'.