Foliage (version 2)
William Henry Davies
Read by Craig Franklin
W.H.Davies was born in Newport, South Wales. He had a difficult childhood and spent several years in the US as a tramp or hobo. He spent one winter moving between jails in Michigan under the ‘boodle’ system; an illicit system where a tramp could make an arrangement to be housed in a prison without being an actual prisoner. He later lost his right foot below the knee after a failed attempt to jump a freight train in Ontario on a journey to the Klondike to try to make his fortune.
On his return to the UK he continued to live rough or in doss-houses for some time, before eventually settling down with his wife Helen and moving on to a quiet and happy life.
Poetry was his staple throughout his life and he was eventually recognised for his talents.
Much of his poetry reflects on themes of hardship and the natural world.
Summary by Craig Franklin (1 hr 5 min)
Chapters
| Thunderstorms | 0:45 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Strong Moments | 1:00 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| A Greeting | 1:07 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Sweet Stay-A-Home | 1:58 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Starved | 1:26 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| A May Morning | 1:05 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Lonely Dreamer | 1:06 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Christmas | 2:23 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Laughing Rose | 0:59 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Seeking Joy | 1:03 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Old Oak Tree | 1:29 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Poor Kings | 0:56 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Love and The Muse | 1:03 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| My Youth | 0:47 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Smiles | 0:54 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Mad Poll | 1:25 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Joy Supreme | 1:36 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Francis Thompson | 1:57 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Bird-Man | 1:09 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Winter Beauty | 1:23 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Church Organ | 0:46 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Heigh Ho, The Rain | 0:53 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Loves Inspiration | 1:10 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Night Wanderers | 1:06 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Young Beauty | 0:58 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Who I know | 1:08 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Sweet Birds I come | 0:48 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Two Lives | 1:10 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Hidden Love | 1:43 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Life is Jolly | 1:20 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Fog | 1:18 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| A Woman's Charms | 2:00 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Dreams of the Sea | 1:46 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Wonder Maker | 1:09 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| The Helpless | 1:03 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| An Early Love | 1:17 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Dream Tragedies | 1:38 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Children At Play | 1:19 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| When the Cuckoo Sings | 1:09 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| Return to Nature | 9:13 | Read by Craig Franklin |
| A Strange City | 7:17 | Read by Craig Franklin |