Two Friends Two Poems

Today we hear poems by Margaret Atwood and Farugh Farrokhzad , the rebel poet of Iran. Tom and Paul then share some first drafts of their own.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Hi. Today we bring you the rest of our conversation about the poetry of Joy Harjo as Paul reads “How to Write a Poem in a Time of War. ” Tom reads “ Confession ” by Louise Gluck, before sharing is own little diddy called “ Indifference .”  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

We’re back! After a little break, we’re excited to bring you our first episode of season 2. Paul reads “She Had Some Horses” by Joy Harjo , Tom reads “The Wish Poem” by Louise Gluck , as well his latest called “Ululations .”  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Today’s episode is part 2 of our fantastic conversation with Atlanta actor, director, and writer Tom Key. We discuss what makes a poem a poem, if and how grief can feel good, and read our own humble offerings.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

It’s a special three-friend episode! We’re joined by Atlanta actor, writer, director Tom Key. He reads a poem by Emily Dickinson, then Tom and Paul read theirs by Gwendolyn Brooks and Margaret Atwood. Be sure to subscribe to hear part 2! Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

It’s our first episode of 2025! Today Paul reads a poem by Georgia poet Stephanie Niu and Tom shares some prose poetry by Howie Good , then they read their own stuff too.   Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

In today’s episode Tom and Paul return to Anne Sexton to popcorn read her take on the Brothers Grimm fairytale “Godfather Death.” Then Tom reads a new poem by Paul called “I Have a Glock” and Paul reads Tom’s new one “Lake Lanier.”  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Today is another three-friend episode! Tom and Paul are joined by Atlanta artist Paige Adair to dive into the poetry of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath. Content warning: Description of self-harm Check out Paige Adair’s work Red Riding Hood by Anne Sexton Elm by Sylvia Plath Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium....

Today Paul reads works by Percey Shelley (again) and Joyce Kilmer before sharing his own poem about why there’s grass. Tom reads a poem he forgot writing.   England in 1819 Trees Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Today Paul reads Ozymandias by Shelley, Tom reads a speech from King John by Shakespeare, as well as his own poem ‘cringe’. It’s the day after the election and reading poems helped, for what it’s worth.   SPOILERS FOR ALIEN COVENANT  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Today we have part two of our fantastic conversation with Nellsyn Hill. Three friends! Nellsyn reads The Song of Amergin and Tom reads a poem by Imam Khalifah Marcellus Williams . Check out Into the Mythic podcast Read more about Imam Khalifah Marcellus Williams Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

It’s another three friends episode! We’re joined by guest Nellsyn Hill who shares a favorite poem by Pablo Neruda. Paul reads a poem by Heather McHugh  that inspires a discussion about words often deemed naughty. Listen with discretion!  Epithalmium by Pablo Neruda I Knew I’d Sing by Heather McHugh Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following...

This is part 2 of our fantastic conversation with Nederland Colorado poet Burt Rashbaum. Burt reads one of his poems that has been on his mind lately, Tom and Paul sheepisly turn in their homework assignments, and Burt rounds things out with one of the first poems he wrote in junior high while under the spell of Bob Dylan. Buy Burt’s Book: https://carouselofhappiness.org/product/of-the-carousel/ B...

Today we are thrilled to welcome Colorado poet Burt Rashbaum. Burt has been writing for most of his life and we have a fantastic conversation about what inspired his collection of poetry entitled Of the Carousel . Burt shares how he became a writer and found the Carousel of Happiness , before letting Tom and Paul read two of his poems, inspired by his experiences operating the carousel.  Be sure t...

Today we're joined once again by actor/writer Paden Fallis who shares a poem two ways by poet Christopher Ketcham , Paul shares poems by Anne Carson , and Tom reads one his own called ‘Dancing with Helene.’  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Another three friends episode! Today we’re joined again by Mark Smith who reads poetry by JRR Tolkien and discusses how the podcast has affected his life. Tom reads “The Talker” by Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn , and Paul shares a poem by Argentenian poet Antonio Machado (en Espanol) before reading his own poem inspred by Tom’s new job.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read mor...

In a special three friends episode, Foster Wilson joins the show to discuss her collection of poetry Afternoon Abundance: Poetry for Wild Souls . She lets Tom and Paul each read a favorite before sharing a poem by Kate Baer . But first, Paul gets kicked out of the library!  Afternoon Abundance: Poetry for Wild Souls is a raw and honest exploration of womanhood, inviting readers to shed societal pr...

In today’s episode Tom dives into another Shakespeare sonnet (30) and Paul reads a poem by Colorado poet Julie Carr. Paul reads his poem “The Theory of Every” and Tom gets greedy with two of his own: “Silent Subway Bit” and “Breakup Song.”  Thanks for listening!  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

Today Tom reads some verse from one of the greats, Samuel Beckett. Then, Paul shares a poem by Brian Bilston (America is a Gun) before wrapping things up with new poems by Tom and Paul.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

In today’s episode Tom and Paul read poems by Irish poet Padraig O’Tuama and Eukranian poet Ella Yevtushenko. Paul reads his poem "(I have to) Write a Poem” and Tom reads “A Poem for the Angry Young Man and his Family.” But first, Tom came up with a segment.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com

A special THREE friends episode! Tom and Paul are joined by Mark Smith, founder and artistic director of the Legacy Theatre in Atlanta, and creator of the stunning new musical Pelagius. Hear poems by Gerard Manly Hopkins, WS Merwin, and Kahil Gibran before Tom reads his new one: Jailbreak.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at t...

In today’s episode, Tom and Paul read amazing poetry by Noor Hindi and Natalie Shapero before sharing their own. They also ponder the first time “to whom it concerns” was used.  “F*ck Your Lecture on Craft, My People Are Dying” by Noor Hindi “The Sky” by Natalie Shapero  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium....

Today Tom sits down with singer/songwriter Wes Cunningham to discuss how he arrives at lyrics (poems with music). Wes shares poems by John Lennon and Carol Bieleck, while Tom dives into Bukowski before sharing his own poem “The Orphan Tree.”  To listen to Wes’s music go to:  https://wescunningham.bandcamp.com/album/courage Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and ot...

In this week’s episode, Tom and Paul read poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye and Dylan Thomas. Tom and Paul also discuss if the podcast has had any effect on them to answer the question, “What happens when two friends read poems to each other?” Eventually, they quit stalling and read their own poems: Nova (by Paul) and Acting for Humans (by Tom). Thanks for listening! Do all the things!   Support the show...

In today’s episode Paul reads a poem by Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson , Tom reads a poem by Billy Collins . Tom also reads a poem he wrote to the Xfinity chatbot before he and Paul read their original poetry for the day.  Support the show Music by Wes Cunningham . Read more of Tom’s poetry and other writing by following him at tomwardwrites.medium.com