In this episode of Words That Burn , I sit down with poet Shannon Kuta Kelly to explore the beautifully haunting landscapes of her debut poetry collection, The Tree is Missing (coming this April from Faber and Faber). Shannon’s work has been featured in the New England Review , Poetry Ireland Review , and The Irish Times . As a PhD graduate from the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast and a 2025 Ciaran Carson Fellow, she brings a profound depth of knowledge and intuition to her cr...
Mar 25, 2026•44 min
Celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge with a closer look at "Oidhreacht" (Heredity), a powerful piece by Irish poet and Gaeilgeoir, Louis De Paor. In this episode of Words That Burn , we explore the complex psychogeography of Ireland and the tension between holding onto the past and embracing the future of the Irish language. Discover how De Paor captures generational trauma and linguistic lineage through striking metaphors, from an ancient, shouting Ogham stone to a snarled tooth that evokes the myth ...
Mar 14, 2026•28 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Does the constant barrage of global news make you want to turn off the screens and bury your head? You aren’t alone. In a world that feels like a "round puddle of sunless water," how do we keep going? In this episode of Words That Burn , I analyse Audre Lorde’s powerful poem, "Coping." Written by the self-described "Black lesbian mother warrior poet," this piece from The Black Unicorn collection offers a vital lesson on resilience, parenting as revolution, and the refusal to drown easily. We exp...
Feb 17, 2026•20 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In the final episode of Words That Burn for 2025, we turn our attention to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the American poet who captured its delicate balance of darkness and light: W.S. Merwin. This episode's poem "The Solstice," a work of minimalist verse that explores the intersection of nature, personal vulnerability, and the cyclical nature of time. This episode traces Merwin’s evolution from a rigid formalist to an experimental voice for environmental activism. It lo...
Dec 18, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode of Words That Burn , I'm joined by Irish poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach to discuss her debut pamphlet, Pink Roses and Green . Together, we chat about a collection that sits at the intersection of the "nine-to-five grind," Millennial burnout, and a deep, tactile longing for the natural world. Clíodhna breaks down her unique approach to the "Millennial Lyric"; moving away from the pastoral and into the office kitchenette. We discuss how she navigates the Post-Celtic Tiger landscape, usin...
Dec 08, 2025•42 min
For Halloween 2025, Words That Burn resurrects one of the most chilling poems in English literature: "This Living Hand" by John Keats. This short, macabre poem wasn't published until 77 years after Keats's death, making it feel like a genuine message from beyond the grave. In this special episode, we explore the poem's dark, gothic imagery and the terrifying "strange bargain" it offers the reader. We dissect its uncanny duality, its sense of dread, and the horrifying biographical context of Keat...
Oct 29, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Ever woken up to rain and felt the urge to stay in bed all day? On this episode of Words That Burn "Rain" by Raymond Carver. This is a poem that seems ideally suited to September, exploring that universal feeling of surrendering to the weather and the comfort of your own bed. Over the course of the episode I'll explore how Carver, a titan of the American short story, applies his signature "dirty realism" and sparse prose to his first love: poetry. We'll break down "Rain" stanza by stanza, examin...
Sep 11, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 6
This week on Words That Burn, we delve into the powerful and moving poem "The Language Ban" from Annemarie Ní Churreáin's acclaimed 2021 collection, The Poison Glen . Join me as we explore the hidden history of Irish Sign Language (ISL) and the devastating impact of its suppression. Discover the story of St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys in Cabra, Dublin, and how the controversial 1880 Milan Conference led to a policy of "Oralism," forcing a spoken language upon deaf children and branding their ...
Jun 26, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate In this episode of Words That Burn , I take a closer look at "Door on the Road," by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha. The poem opens with the aftermath of an explosion in a refugee camp, where a fallen door becomes a grave marker for a young man whose only remaining connection to his past is a worn key — the key to his family’s lost home in Yaffa. As I unpack the powerful imagery in Abu Toha’s work, I explore ...
May 19, 2025•29 min
In this episode of Words That Burn , I take a closer look at Ophelia’s Head Is Finished by the brilliant poet Olga Dermott-Bond—a haunting and layered ekphrastic response to John Everett Millais’ iconic painting Ophelia . Inspired by a chilling epigraph from one of Millais’ 1852 letters, the poem invites us to reconsider what lies beneath the surface of this romanticised artwork, and to centre the overlooked woman at its heart: Elizabeth Siddal. As I explore the poem stanza by stanza, I reflect ...
Apr 10, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode of Words That Burn , poet Maurice Riordan joins Ben to reflect on a career-spanning selection of poems curated by former student and fellow poet Jack Underwood. With the new Selected Poems from Faber and Faber arranged out of chronology, Riordan discusses how themes like rural life, modernity, nature, and time emerge more clearly—and more hauntingly—across decades of work. Together, they explore how poetry manipulates time, the influence of film and science, the uncanny weight of...
Mar 26, 2025•40 min
Spring Song by Reg Saner: an eternal cycle we're all lucky to have In this episode of 'Words That Burn,' Reg Saner's poem 'Spring Song.' is the central focus With spring setting in, the episode explores the poetic beauty and profound themes in Saner's work, such as points of intersection and transition, cyclical nature, and the ineffable qualities of the natural world. It also uncovers some fascinating aspects of Saner's life, including the roots of his obsession with conservation, his varied ca...
Feb 07, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Exploring Louise Glück's 'Snowdrops': A Tale of Resilience and Renewal It's a new year and with it comes the common pressure cooker that is January. You will be awash in a sea of resolutions and you might be feeling the need to ''hit the ground running'' so to speak. In short; I think it's awful. So for the start of 2025, this episode focusing Snowdrops by Louise Glück, a Nobel Prize-winning poet whose work captures the delicate balance of grief, resilience, and renewal. The snowdrop, a fragile ...
Jan 01, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 1
An In-Depth Analysis of 'November' by Maggie Dietz | Words That Burn Podcast Join me, your host Ben, in this episode of 'Words That Burn' as I take a closer look at Maggie Dietz's poignant poem 'November.' Together, we'll explore the evocative imagery, the interplay of surface and underlying themes, and Dietz's ability to gild the everyday moments of a bleak month. I'll zone in on how the poem encapsulates the transition from the vibrant October to the cold, harsh November, examining Dietz's uni...
Nov 13, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate The Symbolism and Legacy of Refaat Alareer's Work In this episode, we explore 'If I Must Die' by Palestinian poet Refat Al Arir, whose work powerfully voices the struggles and resilience of Palestinians. We delve into Refaat Alareer's , his tragic death in an Israeli airstrike, and the prophetic nature of his poetry. The episode also touches on the symbolic significance of kites in Gaza as emblems of hope and...
Oct 21, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of Words That Burn, I look at 'Blossom' by Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie. The episode explores Jamie's profound engagement with nature and the existential themes woven throughout her poem. Known for her realistic, non-romanticised depictions of the natural world, Jamie’s work prompts reflection on humanity's place in nature. The discussion touches on her careful observation and meditation-like practices in nature. The analysis focuses on the poem's compelling opening line on morta...
Sep 12, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Exploring Poetry with Jamie McKendrick: Memory, Mortality, and Art In this episode of 'Words That Burn', host Ben interviews Jamie McKendrick, one of Britain's leading poets and a foremost translator of Italian poetry. They walk through McKendrick's newest collection, ' Drypoint ,' discussing themes of memory, mortality, art, and the intricate processes behind poetry writing. McKendrick shares insights into his fascination with etching, his (sometimes) laborious poetry process, and the interplay...
Aug 26, 2024•41 min
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate This episode takes a closer look at Khaled Juma's poignant poem, 'O Rascal Children of Gaza.' . Written in response to the violence during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, the poem heartbreakingly laments the loss of Gaza's children. The episode highlights the poem's structure, the use of juxtaposition between joyful past and sorrowful present, and its stark portrayal of the silence that follows tragedy. Ju...
Aug 15, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this week's episode, we take a closer look at "There Are Mornings" by Liesl Mueller. A poem filled with undertones of threatened endings, but one that holds a burning ember of hope at its core that resonates deeply with readers Liesl Mueller, an American-German poet born in 1924, brings a rich mythological context to her work. "There Are Mornings" intertwines mythological and biblical imagery with the ordinary, creating a compelling narrative that balances inner turmoil with quiet resilience....
Jul 25, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Last week I had an interview with the acclaimed poet Sam Riviere on his new collection Conflicted Copy . As AI technology continues to evolve, many artists feel apprehensive about its impact on their craft. However, Sam has chosen a different path by embracing AI as a unique writing companion, culminating in his innovative poetry collection, Conflicted Copy . Join us as Sam shares his journey of curiosity and experimentation, exploring how he navigated the creative process with an earlier, less ...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min
In this episode, we delve into "The God of Stories," a poignant poem by Rowan Ricardo Phillips from his latest collection, Silver (2024). This piece captures the essence of creation myths and the search for meaning, offering a fresh perspective on how we, as humans, assign significance to gods and everyday achievements alike. I take a look at the layers of Phillips' verse, exploring themes of perception, identity, and the fluidity of meaning. From the intriguing opening lines to the dense, image...
Jun 19, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 8
On this episode of Words That Burn, I feature the poetry of Milena Williamson, a celebrated poet and author of the haunting collection Into the Night That Flies So Fast published by Daedalus Press. In this episode, Milena shares her journey from Pennsylvania to Belfast, her academic and creative endeavours at Queen's University Belfast, and the deeply personal project that turned into her latest book. Dive deep into the tragic yet intriguing history of Bridget Cleary, a figure from l Irish histo...
May 15, 2024•40 min
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate In this week's episode of Words That Burn , I take a look at the powerful poem ' Fuck Your Lecture On Craft, My People Are Dying ' by Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi. The poem found a surge of interest during the lockdowns of 2020 and became phenomenally popular on social media, with thousands of shares and retweets. Given its unflinching disdain for injustice and searing language that refuses to allow p...
May 09, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 7
This week on Words That Burn, I am joined by poet Camille Ralphs, whose debut collection After You Were, I Am mesmerises with its vibrant exploration of historical and mythological narratives often overlooked. In this enlightening interview, Ralphs shares the inspiration behind her compelling work, featured in esteemed publications like the New York Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement. Discover the electrifying language and empathetic depth that animate figures from Elizabethan occ...
Apr 11, 2024•30 min
Welcome to this special Seachtain Na Gaeilge edition of Words That Burn , where we dive deep into the heart of Irish poetry. In this episode, we explore " Doineann " by Caitlín Nic Íomhair, a poignant piece that mirrors the seasonal changes with the personal and linguistic rebirths of its narrator. Translated by the celebrated Colette Bryce for the anthology Calling Cards , this poem is not just a call for the revival of the Irish language but a testament to the enduring connection between our t...
Mar 13, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Enter the poetic world of Leonard Cohen with this special episode of Words That Burn, dedicated to the transformative power of love and mysticism in Cohen's work. In this episode, we unravel the layers of "Owning Everything," a poem that captures the essence of Cohen's early poetic ventures through its intricate blend of romantic mysticism, spirituality, and the profound connections between the divine and the mundane. This is a very special episode dedicated to my gorgeous partner, Hannah. We bo...
Feb 21, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 5
On this episode, I explore the world of Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of America's first celebrity poets. I unravel the layers of " Siege ," a poem that showcases Millay's brilliant manipulation of traditional forms to express themes of desire, and the inexorable presence of death. Discover how Millay, a luminary of the 1920s, defied societal norms with her bold exploration of sexuality, politics, and the human condition, earning her a place as a pivotal figure in literary history. I take a close...
Feb 09, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate On this episode of Words That Burn, I take a look at the poignant work of Palestinian poet Najwan Darwish and his devastating poem "Nothing More to Lose." This poem was written over ten years ago, but its message seems more important and contemporary today than ever before. His words explore the heart-wrenching realities of Palestinian life under occupation. The poem, expertly translated by Kareem James Abu-Z...
Jan 25, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode, we explore Susannah Dickey’s Outtake #3 , a thought-provoking piece from her debut collection, Isdal. This poem critically examines the true crime genre, questioning the ethics of deriving entertainment from real-life tragedies. Dickey’s work is inspired by the mysterious case of the Isdal Woman, weaving a narrative that challenges our fascination with true crime. Through a fictional podcast setting, the poet addresses the problematic nature of exploiting such stories for entert...
Jan 17, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In this episode of "Words That Burn," I delve into the enthralling microcosm of James Tate's poem "Dear Reader." Our journey through "Dear Reader's" 13 lines reveals the intricate layers and emotional depth that Tate, a beloved poet of the surreal, weaves into his direct dialogue with the reader. His poem is sometimes playful in tone, other times pure tongue in cheek, but always draws the reader deeper and deeper into the lines. I will look at Tate's distinct blend of suspenseful and macabre ima...
Jan 10, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 1
