In this episode, acclaimed film, TV and Theatre Director John Crowley talks about the poem that has been a friend to him: 'The Death by Heroin of Sid Vicious' by Paul Durcan. BAFTA winner and Tony nominated director John Crowley is internationally acclaimed for his work both on the stage and the screen, with credits including The Goldfinch (2019) and Brooklyn , which was nominated for three Academy Awards (including Best Motion Picture) and won the 2016 BAFTA for Best British Film. John visite...
Nov 27, 2019•26 min•Ep. 40
In this episode, Alida talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'De Ceder' / 'The Cedar' by Han G. Hoekstra. You will hear the poem in Dutch and in an English translation by Alida herself. Dr. Alida Gersie is a widely published author and world authority on therapeutic story-work, the arts therapies, the uses of the arts in health and popular education. She designed and directed Postgraduate Arts Therapies training programmes at universities in the UK and abroad. Since the 1970’s she...
Oct 18, 2019•26 min•Ep. 39
In this special feature length episode, recorded live at Latitude Festival, musician Nadine Shah and writer & theatre-maker Hannah Jane Walker talk about the poems that have been friends to them. You can find out more about the brilliant work of Nadine and Hannah Jane Walker here: www.nadineshah.co.uk www.hannahjanewalker.co.uk This is our first live show episode and features work by Philip Larkin, Elizabeth Alexander, Salena Godden and WB Yeats. Discover more of the brilliant Salena Godden'...
Aug 20, 2019•53 min•Ep. 38
In this episode, Farah talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'O Captain! My Captain!' by Walt Whitman. Farah visited The Poetry Exchange in London. She is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange hosts, Michael Shaeffer and Fiona Bennett. Fiona reads the gift reading of 'O Captain! my Captain!' Fiona also mentions 'The Brittle Sea' by Paul Henry as part of this epsiode, which is available from Seren Books. ***** O Captain! my Captain! by Walt Whitman O Captain! my Captain! our fea...
Jul 19, 2019•26 min•Ep. 37
In this episode, Yasmin talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘The Guest House' by Rumi. You can find ‘The Guest House’ in SELECTED POEMS by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks (Penguin Classics, 2004). We would like to thank Coleman Barks for granting us permission to share the poem in this way. Yasmin visited The Poetry Exchange at Manchester Central Library, as part of the celebrations of International Mother Languages Day in the city. Many thanks to our partners Manchester Libra...
Jun 26, 2019•22 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, poet John McAuliffe talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Mathios Paskalis Among The Roses' by George Seferis. John McAuliffe was born in 1973 and grew up in Listowel, County Kerry. He has published six collections with The Gallery Press. His first, A Better Life (2002), was shortlisted for a Forward Prize. His fifth collection, The Kabul Olympics , was published in April 2020 and was an Observer Poetry Book of the Month . John McAuliffe’s Selected Poems was publ...
May 22, 2019•27 min•Ep. 35
In this episode, Hannah talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘Of Mutability’ by Jo Shapcott. We’re delighted to feature ‘Of Mutability’ in this episode and would like to thank Faber & Faber for granting us permission to share the poem in this way. You can find ‘Of Mutability’ in OF MUTABILITY by Jo Shapcott (Faber & Faber, 2011) . Hannah visited The Poetry Exchange at Manchester Central Library, as part of the celebrations of International Mother Languages Day in the city...
Apr 25, 2019•21 min•Ep. 34
In this episode, Angela talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘The force that through the green fuse drives the flower' by Dylan Thomas. We’re delighted to feature ‘The force that through the green fuse drives the flower’ in this episode and would like to thank Weidenfeld and Nicolson for granting us permission to share the poem in this way. You can find ‘The force that through the green fuse drives the flower’ in The Collected Poems of Dylan Thomas: the Centenary Edition , publis...
Mar 20, 2019•27 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, Mark talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – ‘Barcarole' by Pablo Neruda - translated by Robert Hass. We’re delighted to feature ‘Barcarole’ in this episode and would like to thank Agencia Literaria Carmen Balcells, City Lights Books and Frederick Courtright for granting us permission to share the poem in this way. You can find ‘Barcarole’ in ‘The Essential Neruda’ - Selected Poems - edited by Mark Eisner, published by Bloodaxe Books in the UK and City Lights Books ...
Feb 20, 2019•28 min•Ep. 32
In this episode, Katharine talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘Dich’ / ‘You’ by Erich Fried. We are delighted to feature ‘Dich’ / ‘You’ in this episode and would like to thank Verlag Klaus Wagenbach for allowing us to use it in this way. Katharine visited The Poetry Exchange at St Chad's College Chapel in Durham, during Durham Book Festival, in association with Durham University Foundation Programme. We’re very grateful to all our Durham partners for hosting us so warmly. Katha...
Jan 23, 2019•28 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Hannah talk about the poem that has been a friend to her: 'This Be The Verse' by Philip Larkin. We are delighted to feature 'This Be The Verse' in this episode and would like to thank Faber & Faber for allowing us to use the poem in this way. Hannah visited The Poetry Exchange at St Chad's College Chapel in Durham, during Durham Book Festival, in association with Durham University Foundation Programme. We’re very grateful to all our Durham partne...
Dec 14, 2018•26 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Jackie talk about the poem that has been a friend to her: 'Last Post' by Carol Ann Duffy. We are delighted to feature 'Last Post' in this episode and would like to thank Carol Ann Duffy and Peter Strauss at Rogers, Coleridge & White for allowing us to use it in this way. Carol Ann Duffy has recently published a collection of poems written over the course of her laureateship, entitled 'Sincerity' , which is available from Picador. She has also edi...
Nov 12, 2018•24 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear extraordinary poet Roy Mcfarlane talk about the poem that has been a friend to him: 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' by Langston Hughes. Roy McFarlane was born in Birmingham of Jamaican parentage and has spent most of his years living in Wolverhampton - and more recently Brighton. He has held the role of Birmingham’s Poet Laureate, Starbucks’ Poet in Residence and Birmingham & Midland Institute’s Poet in Residence. Roy’s writing has appeared in magaz...
Oct 12, 2018•22 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Peter talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: 'Continuous' by Tony Harrison. We are delighted to feature 'Continuous' in this episode and would like to thank both Faber & Faber and Tony Harrison for granting us permission to use the poem in this way. www.faber.co.uk/author/tony-harrison/ Peter visited The Poetry Exchange at BALTIC Contemporary Arts Centre in Gateshead, as part of the Raising The Flag Event. We’re very grateful to BA...
Sep 13, 2018•22 min•Ep. 27
In this episode you will hear Tom talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'The Lake Isle Of Innisfree' by W. B. Yeats. Tom visited us at HOME in Manchester. We are very grateful to HOME for hosting The Poetry Exchange - you can discover more about them and their work here: www.homemcr.org Tom is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, Fiona Bennett and Alastair Snell. 'The Lake Isle Of Innisfree' is read by Fiona Bennett. ***** The Lake Isle Of Innisfree by W.B. Yea...
Jul 13, 2018•21 min•Ep. 26
In this episode you will hear writer and performer Roxy Dunn talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'How The World Gets Bigger' by Alyson Hallett. Roxy Dunn is a poet, scriptwriter, performer and novelist. A graduate of the BBC Comedy Writersroom, Roxy has acted in multiple television sitcoms and her shows have received sell-out runs at The Edinburgh Fringe and SOHO Theatre. Her scripts have been optioned by several production companies and her comedy pilot Useless Millennials wa...
Jun 15, 2018•23 min•Ep. 25
In this episode you will hear writer, editor and all-round-champion of Carribean literature Nicholas Laughlin talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Proem' by Martin Carter. Nicholas Laughlin is programme director of the Bocas Lit Fest , based in Trinidad and Tobago, which runs an annual literary festival, a series of literary prizes, and year-round writer development and literary promotion activities for Caribbean authors. He is also editor of The Caribbean Review of Books and ...
May 15, 2018•24 min•Ep. 24
In this episode you will hear the founder and co-host of The Poetry Exchange, Fiona Bennett talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'A Kite for Aibhín' by Seamus Heaney. Fiona founded The Poetry Exchange in 2014 and it is wonderful to hear her in the guest's chair, talking about a poem that means so much to her. You can discover more about Seamus Heaney's work here: www.seamusheaneyhome.com . 'A Kite for Aibhín' can be found in 'Human Chain' by Seamus Heaney, published by Faber &a...
Apr 17, 2018•24 min•Ep. 23
In this episode you will hear renowned actor Andrew Scott talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Love (III)' by George Herbert. Andrew visited us Battersea, London and is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members Fiona Bennett and Michael Schaeffer. 'Love' is read by Michael Schaeffer. ***** Love (III) by George Herbert Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nea...
Mar 15, 2018•23 min•Ep. 22
In this episode you will hear Lisa talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'How Surely Gravity's Law' by Rainer Maria Rilke. Lisa visited us at John Ryland's Library in Manchester and is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members Fiona Bennett and Michael Shaeffer. 'How Surely Gravity's Law' is read by Fiona Bennett. ***** How Surely Gravity's Law by Rainer Maria Rilke How surely gravity’s law, strong as an ocean current, takes hold of the smallest thing and pulls it to...
Feb 15, 2018•22 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, our guest is John Davis, who talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Return' by C. P. Cavafy, translated by Rae Dalven. John is our first 'Long Distance' visitor to The Poetry Exchange via Skype! Joining us from Athens, John is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, Fiona Bennett and John Prebble, who were in London for the conversation. 'Return' is read by John Prebble. ***** Return by C.P. Cavafy, translated by Rae Dalven Return often and ...
Jan 18, 2018•21 min•Ep. 20
In this episode you will hear Dan Simpson talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'This Poem' by Salena Godden. Our huge thanks to Dan for joining us and speaking so eloquently and openly about his friendship with this poem. And to the ever-wonderful Salena Godden for granting us permission to feature the poem in this way. 'This Poem' can be found in Salena's collection 'Fishing In The Aftermath - Poems 1994-2014' from Burning Eye Books (2014). Dan visited us in Lambeth, London an...
Dec 14, 2017•19 min•Ep. 19
In this episode you will hear poet Joolz Sparkes talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'Dulce et decorum est' by Wilfred Owen. Joolz visited us in Lambeth, London and is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members Fiona Bennett and Michael Shaeffer. Dulce et Decorum Est is read by Michael Shaeffer. ***** Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares ...
Nov 09, 2017•23 min•Ep. 18
In this episode you will hear extraordinary actor Paterson Joseph talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - '5 AM' by Roxy Dunn. Paterson Joseph is a beloved British actor and writer. Recently seen on Vigil and Noughts and Crosses , he has also starred in Peep Show and Law & Order UK and he plays Arthur Slugworth in the forthcoming Wonka movie. Paterson's debut novel is The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho, published by Dialogue Books in 2022 to great acclaim. https://w...
Sep 28, 2017•26 min•Ep. 17
In this episode you will hear Liis talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'The Island' by A.A. Milne. Liis visited us at Wise Words Festival in Canterbury. For the first time, we held The Poetry Exchange in an open, public setting, amongst the poetry books at Waterstones, Rose Lane, Canterbury. We are very grateful to both Waterstones and to Wise Words for hosting The Poetry Exchange so warmly. Liis is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members Sarah Salway and John Pr...
Aug 24, 2017•21 min•Ep. 16
In this episode you will hear Jonathan Barnes talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Love (III)' by George Herbert. Jonathan visited us at Wise Words Festival in Canterbury. For the first time, we held The Poetry Exchange in an open, public setting, amongst the poetry books at Waterstones, Rose Lane, Canterbury. We are very grateful to both Waterstones and to Wise Words for hosting The Poetry Exchange so warmly. Jonathan Barnes is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team me...
Jul 27, 2017•22 min•Ep. 15
In this episode, you will hear the brilliant actor Maxine Peake talking about the poem that has been a friend to her: ’Turns' by Tony Harrison. Maxine visited The Poetry Exchange at John Rylands Library in May 2016. We’re very grateful to John Rylands Library for hosting The Poetry Exchange. Thank you also to Tony Harrison and Penguin Books for kindly granting permission for us to use the poem in this way. Maxine Peake is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange hosts, Fiona Bennett and Michael ...
Feb 22, 2017•22 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Harry talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: ’Poem (Lana Turner Has Collapsed)' by Frank O'Hara. Harry visited The Poetry Exchange at John Rylands Library in May 2016. We’re very grateful to John Rylands Library for hosting The Poetry Exchange. Thank you also to City Lights Publishers for kindly granting permission for us to use the poem in this way. Harry is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, Jacqueline Kington and...
Dec 21, 2016•20 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of our podcast, you will hear the brilliant poet and theatre-maker Hafsah Aneela Bashir talking about the poem that has been a friend to her: ’On Children' by Kahlil Gibran. Hafsah Aneela Bashir is a Manchester-based poet, playwright, performer and mother, originally from East London. Founder and co-director of Outside The Frame Arts , she is passionate about championing voices outside the mainstream. Winner of the Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowship 2019 , she was writer-in-reside...
Nov 21, 2016•21 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of the podcast, you will hear Mark talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: ’For Sigrid' by Derek Walcott. Mark visited The Poetry Exchange at The Chapel in St Chad's College as part of Durham Book Festival in October 2015. We’re very grateful to Durham Book Festival, New Writing North and St Chad’s College for hosting The Poetry Exchange. Thank you also to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for kindly granting permission for us to use the poem in this way. Mark is in convers...
May 23, 2016•21 min•Ep. 11
