Dannie Abse

Dannie Abse, 2014

Dannie Abse (Daniel Abse, born 22 September 1923 – 28 September 2014) is a Welsh poet and retired doctor; medicine, his Jewish culture and Welsh nationality are frequent themes in his work.

Quotes

• Praying is another way of singing.
  You plant in the tree the soul of lemons.
  You plant in the gardens the spirit of roses.
  • Poem Song for Dov Shamir in: Dannie Abse (1963), Dannie Abse, p. 8

• I know the colour rose, and it is lovely,
  But not when it ripens in a tumour.

 And healing greens, leaves and grass, so springlike, 
In limbs that fester are not springlike.

• • Poem The Pathology of Colours in: Dannie Abse (1981) Miscellany One - Volume 1, p. 65

• You sod, Leave my soul alone, leave my soul alone
  • Poem In the theatre, in: Dannie Abse (1997) Welsh retrospective, p. 43

• And silence matched the silence under snow.
  • Poem In the theatre; Quoted in: Tony Curtis (1985) Dannie Abse, p. 32

• Are all men in disguise except those crying?
  • ‘Encounter at a greyhound bus station’ (1986)

External links

• Entry in Contemporary Writers