The Elixir Poetry Podcast
British poet Helen Wing has spent the past 20 years living between the UK, China and the Middle East, experiencing first-hand the human impact of poetry across borders. On The Elixir Poetry Podcast, she asks anonymous individuals from around the world to read the poem that has touched them the most, and to unveil why. (Each episode includes original music)
Episodes
37 episodes
32. The Power of Poetry with Russian-Ukrainian Filmmaker Albina Kovalyova. “Poetry Is An Oral Tradition”.
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Albina Kovalyova about two of her own poems, discussing poetry & filmmaking, the Russian & Ukrainian languages, and much more!Discover poetry through the heart of anoth...
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26:06
31. On Raglan Road: Patrick Kavanagh, Irish Poetry, Rural Poverty, Love, and Cultural Communication with Ann
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Ann Moroney, who is from Ireland, about the poem ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967).Discover poetry through the heart of another…
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30:38
30. "To Be, Or Not To Be, That Is The Poem". Christopher Hamilton reads Shakespeare
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Christopher Hamilton about the soliloquy ‘To be or not to be’ in Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1) by William Shakespeare (1564 –1616)Discover poetry through the heart of another…
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21:32
29. Spring Special: “Why My Dad Loved The Words of John Clare” with Richard
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Richard about a section of ‘The Shepherd’s Calendar’, ‘April’ and ‘I am’ by John Clare (1793 - 1864).Topics: John Clare’s keen eye for detail Richard’s Dad’s p...
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23:04
28. The Poem of Cuban Liberation with Raycel (& How Love Took Him Across The World)
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Raycel, who is from Cuba, about the poem ‘Yo soy un hombre sincero’ by José Martí (1853-1895) as sung by Pablo Milanés (1942-2022).Topics of discussion:The political h...
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24:01
27. Portuguese Poetry and The Spiritual Power of Writing Poetry with Miguel Royo
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Miguel Royo about Modern Portuguese Poetry and his own work:Miguel’s inner voice shifting language from Spanish to Portuguese The spirituality of writing poetry ...
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1:04:44
26. Vietnamese American Poet Ocean Vuong: The Pain & Joy In Making Art with Actor Chris Kelham
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Chris Kelham about the poem ‘Ars Poetica as The Maker’ by Ocean Vuong Topics of discussion:The pain and joy in making art - a challenge to God How human...
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32:26
25. African Literature, Language, and Cultural Identity with Silindiwe from Zimbabwe
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Silindiwe, who is from Zimbabwe, about the Birthday Song she wrote in Ndebele for her son, Mbulelo, when he was born. The languages in ZimbabweEnglish is considered the la...
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25:54
24. Parental Love vs Romantic Love & Why We Need the Arts in Schools! Rozâ Reads Her Own Poems
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Rozâ about two of her own poems ‘Mother’ & ‘My grandfather’s socks’:Topics of discussion:Parental vs Romantic LoveTeaching MusicMotivating children with cre...
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35:02
23. Liberté: "Take The Brave Step By Putting Your Thoughts Into Writing" with Quitterie
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Quitterie about the poem ‘Liberté’ by Paul Éluard (1895-1952).Discover poetry through the heart of another…
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30:44
22. Archangel: "I Breathed In The Angel And The Words Came To Me". Helen Wing's Own Poetry with Alegria
Helen always asks her guests to read a poem that means a lot to them, and this week, Alegria flipped the switch by asking Helen to read her own poems from her book Archangel.This special episode is the last of this season. We d...
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49:03
21. "The Netherlands' Favourite Poem!" Nelleke reads Hendrik Marsman's ‘Memories of Holland’
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Nelleke about a Dutch poem called ‘Memories of Holland’ by Hendrik Marsman.They discuss:Immigrants staying in touch with their cultural heritage, or notWi...
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17:22
20. Lily Reads ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T.S. Eliot
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Lily about ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T.S. Eliot. Discover poetry through the heart of another…
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10:30
19. "The KGB Could Have Got Me For Reading This Poem". Growing Up In The Soviet Union (with artist Varvara Keidan Shavrova)
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Varvara Keidan Shavrova about a poem called ‘An autumn evening in the modest square’ by the Russian poet, Joseph Brodsky (1940-1996) They discuss:Growing up in t...
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27:42
18. "Tyrants and Bullies Will Ultimately Be Grounded". Tim Butcher reads ‘Ozymandias‘ by Shelley
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Tim Butcher about ‘Ozymandias’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley.They discuss:Tyrants of the world and bullies in normal lifeHow Shelley wrote the poemTim Butcher gives ...
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24:05
17. “We Were Best Friends For 40 Years”. Rod Dedicates An Irish Blessing To Markie
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Rod about an Irish Blessing, ‘May the road rise to meet you’. Discover poetry through the heart of another…
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10:23
Voicenote 4. ‘I do not crush the world’s corolla of wonders’ by Lucian Blaga
‘I do not crush the world’s corolla of wonders’ by Lucian Blaga is read by Andreea and the music is composed by Tom Platts.Scroll down or search the whole episode to hear why the poem ...
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1:28
16. Sitting With Your Emotions: "Each Has Been Sent as a Guide From Beyond" (with Nicole)
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Nicole about a Persian poem called ‘The Guest House’ by Rumi.They discuss: Sitting with your emotionsLiving a richer fuller lifeDoes suppressing your emot...
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12:23
15. "Say The Difficult Thing, Get The Monsters Out On The Page, & Explore Them" - Albanian Poet Amina Meshnuni
In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Amina Meshnuni about her own poem ‘Our Children’ written in Albanian and also about a poem by another Albanian poet, Mojkom Zeqo, called ‘The Mask of God’.They discuss:Amina's p...
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21:17
Voicenote 3. 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers
'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers is read by Donna and the musical underscore is composed by Tom Platts.Simply scroll down to listen to the whole episode to hear why the poem means so much...
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1:13
14. "Nostalgic, Abstract & Inspiring". Chen Du Reads 'At Home' by Chinese Deaf Poet, Zuo You
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
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14:01
Voicenote 2. 'Sonnet of Fidelity' by Vinicius de Moraes
'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 liste...
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1:19
13. "The Beautiful, Magical, Fantastic Power Of This Poem Will Carry You." - Emma
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 "fresh...
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23:44
Voicenote 1. 'The Ruin' an Anglo-Saxon poem from The Exeter Book
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 w...
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1:27
12. “My Mother Taught Us Love”. Teaching Children Emotional Literacy Through Poetry (with Tom)
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 poet...
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16:53