Poetic Plonk

On this episode, we delve into the imperialist world of Rudyard Kipling. Despite Kiplings admiration of colonialism, his penmanship can't be questioned, after all he did publish "The Jungle Book". Join us on this episode where I liken imperialism to a dick measuring contest, compare Disney films and mispronounce Mowgli. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up...

On this episode, I explore an existential crisis we're all experiencing everyday. Annie Dillard, the lyrical genius and essayist, outlines just where humanity as been and even where we could be going. Join us on this episode where I list out a few things, die of thirst and tease a new form of content. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on TikTok:  Poetic Plonk Cre...

Send us a textEpisode eight revolves all around a herb that is used and lauded in everyday cooking, a herb that some love and some hate. Coriander (cilantro across the pond). I explore the origin story of coriander and how it leeched it's way into cuisines all across the globe. I read an original poem that I wrote about coriander, written from a place of disgust and disdain. I'm not a fan. So sit...

Send us a textOn episode seven, Paul Kalanithi shines light into the dark of living life with cancer, after being diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. A heartfelt essay written months before Pauls death draws on short stories such as the tortoise and the hare to detail his altered perspective post diagnosis. The essay itself contains emotive pictures of his wife Lucy and their daughter Cady and...

Send us a textOn episode six, we explore something completely new. An opinion piece from the New York Times that centres around anxiety. I discuss how anxiety manifests itself in my life and explore the various ways that we can box it up and get on with life. It's ever-present nature means that a lot of us experience anxiety on a daily basis in different ways. So sit back, relax and I'll see you o...

Send us a textEpisode five explores a naturalistic poem devoted to Cape Cod. Mary Oliver highlights the sights to behold through her use of imagery and imaginative language. Olivers poem "Tides" centres around the waters in Cape Cod. Disclaimer: Mary and her wife Molly lived in Provincetown not "Princetown" as I refer to during the episode. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep...

Send us a textEpisode four delves into the relationship between love & loss. Through Richard Feynman's letter to his deceased wife, it's clear to see how both play a pivotal role in our lives. Feynman's letter is heartfelt and emphasises the effects that everlasting love has on us all. I talk about my experiences with love & loss and reflect on the five love languages. So sit back, relax a...

Send us a textEpisode three explores the song "A Case of You" written by the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. The song delves into the emotions that are tied to loving someone that you know deep inside isn't necessarily the right person for you. Joni's life was filled with a lot of ups but a fair amount of downs as well, such as having to give up her daughter but then being reun...

Send us a textEpisode two explores a letter written by one close friend to another in a time of struggle. Sol LeWitt puts pen to paper to emphasise his belief in his close friend and artist Eva Hesse. Sol harnesses his own frustrations to show Eva that fear and anxiety can be used to create art. This extensive letter embodies friendship and what it entails in times of struggle. So sit back, relax...

Send us a textSeason two kicks off with Naomi Shihab Nye and her poem "Kindness". This episode explores the impact kindness has on our everyday lives. Naomi's poem also explores the stages we go through to recognise the importance of kindness. The next episode will explore a letter written from one friend to another in a time of artistic struggle so sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one...

Send us a textA short interlude between season one and season two. This episode features three poetry readings; three of my favourite poems from season one. Turn on the podcast notifications and go give us a follow over on Instagram to keep up to date on the release of season two. Go ahead and sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Instagram: poeticplonkPoems: An Image From A Past Life...

Send us a textOn this episode we explore the concept of "Past Lives" and how love affects that. William Butler Yeats' poem explores a vision that a man has of a woman he thinks he may have known in a past life. But his vision frustrates him. This episode is the final episode of season one, so sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplonkCredits:Poem: A...

Send us a textOn the penultimate episode of the first season we explore the theme of death. Dylan Thomas' poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" discusses different perspectives of escaping death. Why should we embrace life? None other than Christopher Nolan also makes a cameo. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplonkCredits:Poem: Do not...

Send us a textEpisode eighteen explores one of the most renowned poets in the postwar era, Sylvia Plath. Plath's intensely autobiographical poems reflect her troubled relationships and inner self conflict. The poem "The Munich Mannequins" delves into the dehumanising effect of the objectification of women. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplo...

Send us a textOn this episode we explore the life and poetry of Shakespeare. Shakespeare's legacy will live on for what seems like the rest of time, and his impact on literature and culture is global. But what were Shakespeare's Sonnets about? Sonnet 104 is explored on this episode and it explores age, beauty and the future. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on I...

Send us a textOn this episode we explore Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!" alongside it's role in the film Dead Poets Society. Whitman dedicates this poem to the former President Abraham Lincoln, which unravels the theme of Victory and Loss. Towards the end of the episode we explore how Robin Williams brought this poem to life in his role as John Keating. So sit back, relax and I'll see...

Send us a textEpisode fifteen explores a torchbearer Eavan Boland and her impact on the Irish female literature community. Boland single-handedly created the downfall to the Patriarchy that seeked to rule and define Irish poetry. We explore Boland's poem "And Soul", a touching tribute to her mother that discusses the link between nature and mortality. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the nex...

Send us a textOn this episode we explore "True Love", more specifically John Clare and his poem "True Love Lives in Absence". Whilst Clare's own story is far from happy, his poem emphasises the power absence plays in our relationships. We explore love in the 19th Century and how it's changed today and whether "True Love" still exists. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to...

Send us a textEpisode 13 highlights acceptance. Laura Gilpin's tear-jerking poem "Two-Headed Calf" contrasts the last night of a two-headed calf's life and the joy and sadness that comes with it. Gilpin's poem guarantees that there is a lot of themes to explore. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplonkCredits:Poem: Two-Headed Calf - Laura Gilpi...

Send us a textEpisode twelve sheds light on the romantic poet Felicia Hemans. Hemans' poem "Casabianca" explores the topic of the unwavering loyalty of a young boy to his father and their cause. We also explore the impact and motives of rhyming scheme that Hemans uses in this poem. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplonkCredits:Poem: Casabianc...

Send us a textThe second half of season one is underway with a timeless poem. On this episode we explore William Blake's poem "A Poison Tree" that details the consequences of suppressing anger. The poem is written in old English, which brings a few challenges along the way. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: poeticplonkTrigger warning: suicide is men...

Send us a textOn the tenth episode we embrace Christmas. Anne Brontë's poem explores the power that music has and what Christmas means through her eyes. Episode ten also marks the halfway mark in our first season, meaning that we will be taking a short break. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Trigger warning: alcohol and drug addiction are mentioned very briefly in this episode....

Send us a textEpisode nine of Poetic Plonk links poetry with the notorious Peaky Blinders. Benjamin Zephaniah is the link and we explore his poem "We Refugees". This episode acts as both a tribute to Zephaniah's body of work, but also highlights the social issues surrounding refugees and how people view refugees. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: po...

Send us a textThe eighth episode of Poetic Plonk is a tribute to all Grandfathers. Denise Low's heartfelt poem explores the relationship we have to our Grandfathers and our ancestors and how they influence us. Episode eight unravels my personal relationship to my Grandfather and exactly how I relate to this poem. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. Keep up to date on Instagram: po...

Send us a textHow important is our hometown? Episode seven of Poetic Plonk, explores the significance of our hometown. Terrance Hayes presents us with a story of a father and son connecting with their hometown through a baby. Whether you're new to poetry or just want something calming to listen to then sit back, relax and hit play. Keep up to date here: poeticplonkCredits:Poem: The Same City - Ter...