Dafydd ap Gwilym, Wales's greatest poet, explored love, desire and the natural world with startling frankness and virtuoso wit. In this sequence freely adapted from Dafydd's work, I bring him to life for the modern reader: as he waits in the woods for his lover, ogles the girls in church or causes chaos during a midnight assignation. Plants, birds and animals are fondly invoked while weather and the elements - wind, waves, fog and ice - play their part. Passionate in his treatment of sexual themes, Dafydd is equally ready to make fun of his own susceptibility. These delightful poems remain, across the centuries, intimate, urgent and timeless.

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Read a poem from The Green Month here.

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"Matthew Francis's lively versions of medieval poet Dafydd ap Gwilym pay skilful tribute to the randiest of bards. The 'green month' is May, when sap rises; even in church he's ogling girls. 'If I could only get one of them / out of this echoing stone / into soft forest!' Alas, they don't succumb: 'I'll have to pray on my own / in my green chapel.'" Financial Times.

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"Essentially fresh poems based on Dafydd's originals. They brilliantly capture the essence of his poetic gift... in language that is specific and vivid. Highly recommended." Neil Philip.