Chronic Women - Menywod Cronig - Poetry by women living with ongoing health conditions - Cerddi gan fenywod sy'n byw gyda chyflyrau iechyd parhaus

Gwyneth Lewis, Hanan Issa

Summary

A collection to inspire discussions, debate and embolden the difficulties faced by women in the healthcare system.

This is a bilingual anthology of new writing from 13 women poets of Wales who suffer with pain and/or chronic illness and health conditions. The aim of the book is to bring about change in legislation, and a voice for the women of Wales and beyond, who are not given the autonomy and power of voice to speak up about their own bodies within the patriarchal healthcare system. The book will be distributed in GP surgeries and healthcare settings and is designed to open up conversations for the women and men that use them and work in them. The book is edited by Hanan Issa and Gwyneth Lewis. A powerful and unflinching collection of poems about living with long term health conditions.

'It is an act of testimony, a call to awareness, and, in many ways, a rallying cry.' – Dr Helen Munro, Clinical Lead Women's Health Network in Wales

'I hope that any woman reading this will find comfort in these pages. You may be unwell. The future may be uncertain. But you are not alone and do not have to endure pain by yourself.' – Hanan Issa, National Poet of Wales

'All the poets in this book have, in some way … found the creative resources to respond to the surreal world of illness in poems that show insight, generosity and a joy that defy the downward pull of being constantly ill at ease. This is a significant human achievement.' – Gwyneth Lewis

Casgliad pwerus a dewr o gerddi yn trafod byw gyda chyflyrau iechyd hirdymor.

'Fel cyfanwaith, mae'r gyfrol hon yn weithred o dystiolaeth, yn alwad am ymwybyddiaeth, ac, mewn sawl ffordd, yn gri i godi llais.' – Dr Helen Munro, Arweinydd Clinigol Rhwydwaith Iechyd Menywod yng Nghymru

'Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd unrhyw fenyw sy'n darllen yn canfod cysur yn y tudalennau hyn. Efallai eich bod yn sâl. Efallai bod y dyfodol yn ansicr. Ond dydych chi ddim ar eich pen eich hun a does dim rhaid i chi ddioddef poen ar eich pen eich hun.' – Hanan Issa, Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru

'Mae pob un o'r beirdd yn y gyfrol hon wedi ... dod o hyd i adnoddau creadigol i ymateb i fyd swrrealaidd salwch mewn cerddi sy'n dangos dealltwriaeth a haelioni yn ogystal a llawenydd sy'n gwrthsefyll syrthni anhwylder. Mae hon yn gamp 'fenywol' arwyddocaol.' – Gwyneth Lewis

Available since: 02/19/2026.

Print length: 200 pages.

Poetry & Theatre

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