Sketch Poetry
Poetry read in a fitting setting, by teacher and poet of no great renown: Joe Riley.
Great poems from a range of eras read aloud in a place that befits them. No lectures, not too many long words or academic pretence; a chance to sketch out how a poem reaches your heart.
Want me to sketch a poem? thesketchpoet@gmail.com
Episodes
22 episodes
Cut Grass-Philip Larkin 🌱
'Cut grass lies frail...'Recorded last year originally for the Philip Larkin Society's 'Joe Riley Presents' mini-series.A great lyric poem, best enjoyed in young-leafed nature.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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14:15
The Building-Philip Larkin🏥
'Higher than the handsomest hotel...'Joe has, through some tricky circumstances, been visiting a particular building and thinks you should wander the corridors with him.If it doesn't come through in this episode: my absolute respe...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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42:12
The Mower-Philip Larkin 🦔
'The mower stalled, twice...'I've been asked to mow the lawn this weekend.Here's a throwback to late spring 2024, when I recorded my first sketch for the Philip Larkin Society. If you are a lover of Larkin, please check out their ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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16:23
How to Leave the World that Worships Should-Ros Barber ✉️ (feat. Ros Barber)
'Let faxes butter-curl on dusty shelves...'Joe rings in spring by sitting in a sunny space and reads this wonderful poem for turbulent times. Ros Barber kindly agreed to be interviewed about this poem and the second half is l...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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59:00
London-William Blake
'I wander thro' each chartered street, near where the chartered Thames does flowAnd mark in every face I meet, marks of weakness, marks of woe...'Joe heads to the Big Smoke and speaks with John Riordan from the William Blake Socie...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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45:49
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening-Robert Frost ❄️
'Whose woods these are I think I know...'Happy 2025!Get your coat, get your gloves, get your...horse. We're going for a very bracing journey through the wintery landscape of this lovely poem. Audio at the beginning ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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26:28
The Raven-Edgar Allan Poe 🐦⬛
'Once upon a midnight dreary...'A bumper Christmas episode. Enjoy during this bleak December!NEVERMORE!*Re-uploaded due to initial sound level issues.
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58:16
**Sketch Prose** A Christmas Carol-Marley's Ghost by Charles Dickens
Boo! This story needs no introduction.Once again, I found this recording from 2022 and I wanted to share it. If you want to hear the other Staves then please get in touch with me via email/subscribe.
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37:51
**Sketch Prose** Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad-M.R James 👻🎄
Not poetry, but I recorded this last year and wanted to share it with you.A spooky tale for the fireside this Christmas by the masterful M.R James.Sceptical Professor Parkins takes a trip to Burnstow to indulge in some research, and...
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52:23
The Forest-Joe Riley
TW: Suicide.The Forest. An original poem by yours truly. Read along with it here.In honour of Movember, Joe shares hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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38:05
Sketch Poetry-A Trailer
The official trailer for Sketch Poetry. Share far and wide with anyone you think might like the show!
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Season 1
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1:42
Halloween in a Suburb-H.P Lovecraft 👻🎃
'The steeples are white in the wild moonlight'Do not listen to this late at night.
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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29:33
All Hallows-Louise Glück 🎃
'Even now this landscape is assembling.'Joe kicks off spooky season with a little number from Louise Glück. There is a lot of preamble to go with Joe's ambling, so if you want to get straight to the poem skip to 14 mins. This w...
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30:00
BBC Radio York Interview
A recent radio spot Joe had with Hannah Sackville-Bryant from BBC York. They featured my Rossetti episode and I got to talk about the origins of the podcast.
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5:56
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night-Dylan Thomas
'Do not go gentle into that good night"noswaith dda from Joe as he allows himself a couple of cheeky stouts in the pub, which is fitting considering Dylan Thomas' regular habits (though Joe was in bed by 10, honest). The...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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25:00
Remember-Christina Rossetti
'Remember me when I am gone awayGone far away into the silent land'Joe takes an early autumn walk and remembers his wonderful father. This episode is a bit emotional, so tread with care but hopefully it brings some solace.
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26:15
Wind-Ted Hughes
'This house has been far out at sea all night'Hold onto your hat, it's a bit breezy. Joe goes for a stroll in the wind and explores this cracker from Ted Hughes.N.B: I dropped my daughter off before I went up the big hill, fear ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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19:10
Meditation on the A30-John Betjeman
'A man on his own in a car'This week: Joe braves the A3O on his own, on a bike! Listen to his thoughts on JB's Meditation on the A30.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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22:04
This Be the Verse-Philip Larkin
'They fuck you up, your mum and dad.'Joe (and his daughter) discuss parenting.
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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27:51
The Trees-Philip Larkin
'The trees are coming into leafLike something almost being said'Join Joe as he takes a stroll under some huge trees on his regular dog walk.
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14:38