The Glimpse: A Poetry Podcast

Menna Elfyn chats with host Hannah Lowe about writing in Welsh and English, overturning syntax, and finding common ground through shared language. Menna reads her poem “Let the World’s People Sing” in Welsh and English and R. S. Thomas’ poem “Don’t Ask Me.”

Jane Clarke joins Seán Hewitt for the final episode in this season of The Glimpse, discussing the power of writing with restraint, dry stone walls, and bringing queerness to the Irish pastoral tradition. Jane reads her poem “Spalls” and Natasha Trethewey’s “Incident.”

Poet Gustav Parker Hibbett joins host Seán Hewitt for a chat about metamorphosis poems, trusting the rhythm of the body, and Joni Mitchell’s artistic betrayal. Parker reads their poem “Joni Mitchell dresses up as me (parts one and two)” and Donika Kelly’s poem “Love Poem: Chimera.”

Poet Stephen Sexton speaks with host Seán Hewitt about the need for mystery, the exoticism of American English, and making meaning with the reader. Stephen reads his poem “The Capital of Heaven” and Oni Buchanan’s poem “The Only Yak in Batesville, Virginia.”

Poet Martina Evans and host Seán Hewitt take part in a wide-ranging conversation on the connection between place and voice, the pressure of living, sun worship, and, of course, cats. Martina reads her poem “The Day My Cat Spoke to Me” and Frank O’Hara’s “A True Account of Talking to the Sun at Fire Island.”

Poet Kit Fryatt joins host Seán Hewitt for a conversation about erasure and rearrangement, poetic edgelord and chancer Ezra Pound, and poetry’s transitional moment between the medieval and modern eras. Kit reads his poem “bodyservant” and Thomas Wyatt’s “They fle from me.”

Note: Thomas Wyatt's poem is presented in its original form.

Poet Nithy Kasa speaks with host Seán Hewitt about carrying two countries, line breaks, and the taboo of black female sexuality in Congolese culture. Nithy reads her poem “My People Dance by Their Hips” and C. P. Cavafy’s poem “Ithaka.”

Mícheál McCann joins host Seán Hewitt to chat about bringing queerness to the traditional Irish lament, writers as magpies and cheesecloths, and a brilliant, brave parenthesis placement. Mícheál reads his poem “To an Imagined Child” and Fiona Benson’s “Big Dipper Fireflies (Photinus pyralis).”

Poet Omotara James and host Camille Rankine explore the tension between vulnerability and confidence in poetry. They also delve into the language of pleasure and cruelty as well as the importance of subverting tropes.

Poet Solmaz Sharif speaks about her relationship to silence, the cost of speaking up for people whose narratives have been silenced and June Jordan’s impact on her writing.

WARNING: a poem in this episode describes violence that some may find disturbing.

Poet Rachel McKibbens explores the role violence and has played in her life, her poetry and motherhood. She talks to host Camille Rankine about her poem "glutton" and the impact Brigit Pegeen Kelly's poem "Song" has had on her work.

Warning: This episode contains some descriptions of violence that listeners may find disturbing.

Poet Chen Chen talks about petitioning the universe on multiple levels, the personification of grief and finding inspiration in a ketchup packet.

Poet Hafizah Geter talks about the power of a good line break, her love of Carl Phillips and how memory can be affected by grief.