Words That Burn Podcast
1) The Solstice by W.S. Merwin
In the final episode of Words That Burn for 2025, we turn our attention to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the American poet who captured its delicate balance of darkness and li...Show More
2) An Interview with Irish Poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach
In this episode of Words That Burn, I'm joined by Irish poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach to discuss her debut pamphlet, Pink Roses and Green. Together, we chat about a collection that sits at the intersection...Show More
3) This Living Hand by John Keats
For Halloween 2025, Words That Burn resurrects one of the most chilling poems in English literature: "This Living Hand" by John Keats. This short, macabre poem wasn't published until 77 years after Ke...Show More
4) Rain by Raymond Carver
Ever woken up to rain and felt the urge to stay in bed all day? On this episode of Words That Burn "Rain" by Raymond Carver. This is a poem that seems ideally suited to September, exploring that unive...Show More
5) The Language Ban by Annemarie Ní Churreáin
This week on Words That Burn, we delve into the powerful and moving poem "The Language Ban" from Annemarie Ní Churreáin's acclaimed 2021 collection, The Poison Glen. Join me as we explore the hidden h...Show More
6) Door On The Road by Mosab Abu Toha
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donateIn this episode of Words That Burn, I take a closer look at "Door on the Road," by Palestinian poet Mo...Show More
7) Ophelia's Head Is Finished by Olga Dermott-Bond
In this episode of Words That Burn, I take a closer look at Ophelia’s Head Is Finished by the brilliant poet Olga Dermott-Bond—a haunting and layered ekphrastic response to John Everett Millais’ iconi...Show More
8) An Interview with Maurice Riordan
In this episode of Words That Burn, poet Maurice Riordan joins Ben to reflect on a career-spanning selection of poems curated by former student and fellow poet Jack Underwood. With the new Selected Po...Show More
9) Spring Song by Reg Saner
Spring Song by Reg Saner: an eternal cycle we're all lucky to haveIn this episode of 'Words That Burn,' Reg Saner's poem 'Spring Song.' is the central focus With spring setting in, the episode explor...Show More
10) Snowdrops by Louise Glück
Exploring Louise Glück's 'Snowdrops': A Tale of Resilience and RenewalIt's a new year and with it comes the common pressure cooker that is January. You will be awash in a sea of resolutions and you mi...Show More