Louis Joel Poetry Pod

The Scottish Play In our final episode for 2025, and a double episode into the bargain, we discuss the work of probably the most highly acknowledged poet in the Western tradition – William Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, predominantly in iambic pentameter, as well many sonnets and other verse. His effect on literature, and culture in general is huge. We have elected to focus on his verse...

The Kindness of Water – Helen Jarvis  In our twelfth episode we discuss the work of one of our very talented local poets, Helen Jarvis, who has just released her first collection, The Kindness of Water, published by 5islands Press. Helen grew up in England and now lives in Melbourne/Naarm, where she teaches English. Her poetry has won many awards and has been published in journals and anthologies....

Simon Says In our eleventh episode we discuss the work of one of our very favourite poets, the extraordinary American singer/songwriter, Paul Simon.  From his enduring early work with Art Garfunkel to his stellar solo career, producing such iconic albums as Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints, Simon has produced lyrics known for their narrative quality, blending autobiographical details with br...

In our tenth episode we take a deep dive into the poetry of little known Australian poet, Lesbia Harford  (1891 – 1927).  John Kinsella, in the introduction to The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry, Kinsella J ed. Penguin, Melbourne,  2009 p 47 - 48  describes her as ‘the radical and unique Lesbia Harford, whose poetry of ambivalent sexuality, working class values and titled syntax would open...

In our ninth episode we move away from European styles of poetry and examine a Japanese form – the tanka, a close relation to haiku. Rodney Williams, poet and editor of the journal Catchment – Poetry of Place returns as our guide to educate us about tanka and share some of his writing in that form. Hobson’s Choice also returns with a focus on poetry we were taught at school. Ann Pilkington and Ann...

In our eighth episode, and our first of 2025,  we take a deep dive into the poetry of acclaimed American poet, Mary Oliver (1935 – 2019) .  Her work is inspired by long walks in nature but she takes a novel approach driven by an unquenchable curiosity and a refusal to bow to negativity or adverse circumstances.  We also enjoy a fun quiz on the 10 greatest poets of all time.  Who do you think shoul...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most im...