Such a fast God: R. S. Thomas' Poetry and Faith - Carys Walsh (2018)

Please note that this podcast has been edited to remove any poems read out at the workshop due to copyright issues. Poems which were read out were at 00.05.25.517 - 'The Kingdom' from the collection 'Hm'm', at 00.23.50.331 - 'This To Do' which can be found in Collected Poems, at 00.33.52.143 - 'Kneeling' which can be found in Collected Poems and at 00.43.16.446 - 'The Gap' which can be found in 'Frequencies'. R.S. Thomas is one of the finest poets of the 20th century. His subject matter is the search for God, and his insights into the life of faith – from rebellion to reverence – are razor-sharp. Seamus Heaney described him as ‘a loner taking on the universe, a kind of Clint Eastwood of the spirit’. This workshop was originally to be led by Mark Oakley, Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Carys Walsh led the workshop in his place. The Revd Dr Carys Walsh is Tutor and Lecturer in Christian Spirituality at St Mellitus College in the London Diocese, and has a Phd in Christian Spirituality, focussing on the Sacramental Vision of R S Thomas. She previously worked in the Ministry Division of the Church of England, selecting those who go forward for training to be ordained, and as a psychotherapist. Recorded 14 April 2018.