The Elixir Poetry Podcast

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Chen Du about ‘At Home’ by a modern Chinese poet, Zuo You.They discuss:Nostalgia in ChinaDeaf poets including Raymond AntrobusHomesickness Discover poetry through the heart of another…Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here!Receive our newsletter!The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www.helenwing.com/the-

'Soneto de fidelidade' 'Sonnet of Fidelity' by Brazilian poet Vinicius de Moraes. It is read by Eduardo and the musical underscore is composed by Tom Platts.Simply scroll down to listen to the whole episode (6mins52): 4. Soneto de fidelidade: "We Must Enjoy Everything While It Lasts" - EduardoDiscover poetry through the heart of another…Find out more about the poems on Elixir and

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Emma about ‘Lord Ullin’s Daughter’ by Thomas Campbell (1777 – 1844)They discuss:Emma's connection to the poem through her motherAuthoritarian fathersThe "freshness" of Thomas Campbell's poem: the early work of young artistsThe power of hearing poetry read outThe loss of a childDiscover poetry through the heart of another…Find

Extract of 'The Ruin' an Anglo-Saxon poem from The Exeter Book. It is read by Kate and the musical underscore is composed by Tom Platts. Simply scroll down to listen to the whole episode (13mins30): 1. The Ruin: "I Feel Less Lonely When I Read This Poem" - Kate Discover poetry through the heart of another…Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here!Receive our news

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to (our second) Tom about, ‘Mother any distance’ by Simon Armitage.They discuss:Family relationshipsMaternal loveTeaching children emotional literacy through poetry The truth of why this poem makes Tom so emotionalDiscover poetry through the heart of another…Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here!Receive our news

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Richard about an extract from book 22 of the Iliad by Homer.Richard explains the tale of Achilles, and hones in on the brutality of war which the story portrays. Richard is reminded of the Iliad by the violence he sees in the modern world as a war correspondent. How does Homer's work affect us today? All this and much more in this epis

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Vivienne Lo about 2 Daoist poems: Chapter 8 of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching and Zhangzi's (Chuang-Tzu's) Butterfly Dream Parable.They discuss:Learning about Chinese philosophy from European hippies (as a Chinese person).Feminism in Chinese Daoist poetry and philosophy. Violence, sexism & racism: ‘growing up fighting’ being drawn to

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Martyn about [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by e.e. cummings (1894–1962).They discuss: The portability of love e.e. cummings conveys in the poem Otherness due to being an immigrant, or minority in a country - an experience Martyn shares with his wife.Being rooted in a place through one’s love & relationship.Assimila

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Tom, our producer, about one of his own poems, ‘Sharp Edges’. The poem is read twice with a musical underscore on the second reading. They discuss: - Seamus Heaney- Tom's cycling accident and lucky escape- How and why he started writing poetry after the accident- How time slows down in a moment of survival- Applying poetry writing

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Andreea about a Romanian poem called ‘I do not crush the world’s corolla of wonders’ by Lucian Blaga.They discuss:How the poem has shaped Andreea's view of the worldRomanian poet and philosopher Lucian BlagaBeing comfortable with mystery, unknown, and surprise in lifeOvercoming anxietyLove and kindness - finding light in the dark