Since it was founded in 1965, Poetry Wales has consistently published the best poetry by Welsh writers.

This selection of 117 contributions is a fascinating record of twenty-five years of poetry writing. It includes not only poetry but also articles about famous poets such as Dylan Thomas and Gwenallt, and controversial letters and editorials on Anglo-Welsh poetry and politics.

Poetry Wales has never been a coterie magazine and has always embraced the wide world of poetry outside Wales, even outside Britain. Although this anthology focuses on Welsh writers, the magazine's extraordinary range and variety is represented here by poets such as Herbert and Heaney and by articles on subjects as diverse as 'Women's Poetry' and 'Poetry in the USA'.

Cary Archard was born in south Wales, close to Aberdare, Alun Lewis's home town. The editor of Poetry Wales from 1980-86, and founder of Poetry Wales Press, he is the general editor of the uniform edition of Alun Lewis's works. Until recently he taught English and Philosophy in Bridgend.