Poetic Plonk
Welcome to Poetic Plonk, an offbeat and unconventional episodic podcast that uncorks the world of creative expression. Join me as I explore a different poem, heartfelt letter or short story in each episode—from classic and contemporary works to some of my own creations now and then. Whether you're a beginner like me or a well-versed literary enthusiast, Poetic Plonk is the podcast for discovering, exploring, and celebrating all forms of literature.
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Episodes
29 episodes
S2, E8: A Most Distasteful Herb
Episode 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 a...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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16:10
S2, E7: Two Years Left to Live
On 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 h...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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21:33
S2, E6: I Know What You Think of Me
On 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...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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22:17
S2, E5: Longnook Tides
Episode 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 a...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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11:26
S2, E4: What It Means To Love You
Episode 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...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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18:40
S2, E3: A Case of You
Episode 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 fo...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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17:15
S2, E2: Dear Eva,
Episode 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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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15:38
S2, E1: Kindness is Everything
Season 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 episo...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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19:02
3 for 1 - BONUS
A 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...
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12:24
Ep 20: A Past Love
On 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 episo...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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22:10
Ep 19: Why should we live?
On 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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18:07
Ep 18: Female "Perfection"
Episode 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 deh...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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18:55
Ep 17: Shakespeare's Lost Lover?
On 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 1...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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19:35
Ep 16: A Dead Poets Society?
On 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. Towar...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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16:55
Ep 15: Downfall of the Patriarchy
Episode 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 "An...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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20:33
Ep 14: Does Love Still Exist?
On 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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20:54
Ep 13: The Two-Headed Calf
Episode 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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20:17
Ep 12: Casabianca
Episode 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 H...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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16:22
Ep 11: Suppressing Emotions
The 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 challenge...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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16:31
Ep 10: Brontë's Christmas
On 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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16:19
Ep 9: The Peaky Blinders
Episode 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 i...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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20:06
Ep 8: Grandfathers Tribute
The 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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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18:43
Ep 7: My Hometown
How 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 p...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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18:39
Ep 6: The Key to Happiness
Episode six provides us with the key to happiness. Peter Wimbrow's poem "The Guy in the Glass" explores the importance of truly realising deep down whether you're a good person or not. So sit back, relax and I'll see you on the next one. <...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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17:56
