Thursday, 2 February 2012

Body Beautiful by Ifor Thomas

Body Beautiful

This collection of poems records Ifor Thomas' treatment for prostrate cancer. 

While some of the poems don't quiet work as a collection it has a real life. Ifor is witty, able to face the indignity of hospital life, the absurdity of it, and the fears that come when facing a potentially terminal disease 

There is a danger for the poet in writing such an 'issue' based collection, to say it would be a 'help' to others facing cancer is glib and patronising both to the poet and those with cancer. 
We should ask 'is this good poetry?' And the answer is yes. 


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