Versify - Poetry and English Literature

We blunder our way through our first ever poet in translation with predictably confused results. Our victim this time is revered Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).Poems:EveningThe PantherArchaic Torso of Apollo

We discuss the life and poetry of Maya Angelou (1928-2014).

We tackle one of the almighty greats of English poetry with predictably sketchy results.'Reading King Lear', and odes on 'Melancholy' and 'A Grecian Urn' befuddle us plenty.

A Very Merry Versify Xmas 2023Poetrye e cummingsJames MerrillHenry Longfellow

Poetry discussionLouis MacNeice Louis MacNeice - MuseumsLouis MacNeice - Alcohol Louis MacNeice- Soap Suds

After an unacceptable delay waiting for Rob to edit this episode, it is finally available!Three poems by American poet Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979)

Three poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Three oafish English guys tackle the Poet Laureate of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes (1901-1967).

Three poems by the former poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. 

Betjeman, Bly, Hardy - Three Christmas Poems and Seasons Greetings from the Versify Podcast.

Philip Larkin.  The North Ship;  Mr Bleaney;  The Explosion.

Robert Frost - The Tuft of Flowers;  On a Tree Fallen Across the Road;  Acquainted with the Night

High excitement on the pod as we interview actual living poet Mai Black.Mai's book Thirty Angry Ghosts takes figures from across the world and gives their anger voice.In this Episode,  we meet Anne Boleyn;  Henry VIII and the Unknown Soldier.From Mai:'Thirty Angry Ghosts' is the result of my year in lockdown. Someone on 'Suffolk Writers Group' Facebook challenged us all to write from the point of view of a famous person's ghost. I did Anne Boleyn and loved it, so the next day I wrote a poem in the voice of Helen of Troy. I've always loved history as well as poetry so it was the perfect project for me.I'm so pleased with the finished book and with the response it's had so far. Next, I'm hoping to share it with local high schools as it seems a fairly natural follow-on from the popular 'Horrible Histories' series and fits in well with quite a few curriculum areas.Currently I'm writing and researching a novel set in 18th Century London. I'm also running a variety of poetry courses on Zoom and leading writing workshops for the well-being charity 'Inside Out Community'.Details of the book and the courses I run can be found at www.suffolkwritersgroup.com

Three of Shakespeare's sonnets get dusted off and stared at for a bit.

Three poems by Andrew Marvell go under the blurry microscope.

Three poems by Sir Stephen Spender."Hamburg, 1929""An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum""I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great"

Departure  Recuerdo  Dirge Without MusicThe pod reads and reflects on three poems by Edna St Vincent Millay

Three Poems by Theodore Roethke (1908-1963).

Three poems by  Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892).email: poetrypodcats@gmail.comTwitter: @poetrypodcats

Three poems by A.E. Housman (1859 – 1936).