Modern Poetry in Translation

131 Episodes

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The early days of MPT – Richard Hollis speaks to J.S. Tennant

2025-10-2227:14

In this special edition, celebrating the magazine's 60th anniversary, we returned to its earliest days with one of the founding members, the graphic designer of Richard Hollis. Richard Hollis designed the very first issue of MPT, working closely with editors Ted Hughes and Daniel Weissbort, and he remained with the magazine as design of a four decades from the broad sheet format, the first issue through to the paperback designs of the 1990s and early two thousands. Joining Richard in conversation about the magazine's history is writer, translator and MPT trustee JS Tennant co-author with Hollis of Cuba, 62.

Atmosphere: Subhro Bandopadhyay, translated from Bengali by Sampurna Chattarji

2025-09-2208:11

Atmosphere by Subhro Bandopadhyay, translated from Bengali by Sampurna Chattarji Published in MPT Rhythms of the Land: Focus on the Poetry of Nature Read this poem online: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/atmosphere/

Kafi : Sanwal Gurmani, translated from Saraiki by Mediah Ahmed

2025-09-1702:27

Kafi: Sanwal Gurmani, translated from Saraiki by Mediah Ahmed, introduced and read by Mediah Ahmed, and the original poet Sanwal Gurmani Published in MPT Rhythms of the Land: Focus on the Poetry of Nature This Kafi by Sanwal Gurmani pulses with the rhythms of love, land, and longing. Set against the backdrop of nature—the forest, the deer, the red earth—it weaves the emotional terrain of human connection into the physical landscape. The forest’s anxiety for its fawn mirrors our own vulnerabilities, while the path of love becomes a metaphorical journey across the land. The naghaaraa of love, traditionally used in communal celebrations and declarations, is reimagined here as an instrument of peace—resolving wars through rhythm and resonance. In a world increasingly marked by conflict, this poem calls us back to tenderness, rootedness, and reconciliation—the true rhythms of the land and heart alike.

Summer: N.S. Sigogo, translated from isiNdebele by Stephen Walsh

2025-09-1506:32

Published in MPT Rhythms of the Land: Focus on the Poetry of Nature Summer: N.S. Sigogo, translated from isiNdebele by Stephen Walsh Read by Stephen Walsh with isiNdebele read by Albert Nyathi Read online: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/summer-2/

My heart is an active volcano: Begoña Ugalde, translated by Drago Yurac

2025-09-0921:37

Published in MPT Rhythms of the Land: Focus on the Poetry of Nature My heart is an active volcano by Begoña Ugalde, translated from Spanish (Chile) by Drago Yurac Read this poem online: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/my-heart-is-an-active-volcano/

Two poems by M.P. Bonde, translated by by Beth Hickling-Moore

2025-07-2804:26

Listen to 'Desire' and 'Half-open Doorway' by M/P. Bonde, translated from Mozambican Portuguese by Beth Hickling-Moore. Featuring the translations read by Beth Hickling-Moore and the original poems read by the poet, M.P Bonde. These poems are published in MPT Presently Proximal Person: Focus on Experimental Translations, No.2 2025. You can find more poems from this series and the introduction by Beth Hickling-Moore on the MPT website https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/five-poems-2/

Two poems from 'Battleground'. Moon Bo Young, translated from Korean by Dabin Jeong

2025-07-1607:31

Listen to two poems in English and Korean, written by Moon Bo Young and translated from Korean by Dabin Jeong. This recording features an introduction by the translator Dabin Jeong, followed by alternating English translations and the Korean original poems read by Moon Bo Young and Dabin Jeong. This poem is published in MPT Presently Proximal Person: Focus on Experimental Translations, No.2 2025. You can find the full text of this poem and the introduction on the MPT website: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/two-poems-from-battleground/

Inna Krasnoper, Three poems. Translated from Russian by Inna Krasnoper and Elina Alter

2025-07-0910:16

Listen to three poems by Inna Krasnoper, translated from Russian by Inna Krasnoper and Elina Alter. This recording features an introduction by the translator Elina Alter, followed by alternating English translations and the Russian original poems read by Elina Alter and Inna Krasnoper. This poem is published in MPT Presently Proximal Person: Focus on Experimental Translations, No.2 2025. You can find the full text of this poem and the introduction on the MPT website: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/three-poems-2/

Clarice 6-4-68, Ana Cristina Cesar translated Mónica De La Torre

2025-07-0809:23

Listen to 'Clarice 6-4-68' by Ana Cristina Cesar, translated from Portuguese by Mónica De La Torre. Including the translation by Mónica De La Torre , the original poem read in Portuguese by Andrea Lerner, and the introduction in the form of a letter by Mónica De La Torre. This poem is published in MPT Presently Proximal Person: Focus on Experimental Translations, No.2 2025. You can find the full text of this poem and the introduction on the MPT website https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/poem/clarice-6-4-68/

Literature Lesson, Liu Ligan translated by Dong Li

2025-07-0212:14

Dong Li reads the Endglish translation of Liu Ligan's poem'Literature Lesson', along with the original poem recorded by Liu Ligan, and Dong Li's own introduction, published in MPT 'Presently Proximal Person: Focus on Experimental Translations'.