19/05/2013
A typically untypical range of poems, read by Kerry Elkins and John Mackay. Surreal poems by Stevie Smith and Alastair Reid sit effortlessly beside heartfelt tales of loss.
A typically untypical range of poems, read by Kerry Elkins and John Mackay. Sublime and surreal poems nestle comfortably alongside heartfelt tales of loss and longing. Poems include Stevie Smith's macabre work The River God and a more benign reflection on nature from the great pre-Raphaelite Dante Gabriel Rossetti in his poem 'Silent Noon'. Alastair Reid's work makes regular appearances on the programme but it's usually in the form of his translations of Pablo Neruda's work, so Roger takes the chance to introduce some of his own poetry; the beguiling 'What's What' and a simply beautiful one called 'Oddments, Inklings, Omens, Movements.'
Producer: Sarah Langan.
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This Week's Poems
The Peace of Wild Things
By Wendell Berry
From Being Alive
Published by Bloodaxe
Silent Noon
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti
From Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Collected Writings
Published by New Amsterdam Books
The River God
By Stevie Smith
From Bread and Roses – An Anthology of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Poetry by Women Writers
Published by Virago
Oddments, Inklings, Omens, Moments
By Alastair Reid
From Weathering
Published by Canongate
Late
By Christopher Reid
From A Scattering
Published by Arete Ltd
Dimensions
By Laura Jackson Riding
From A Selection of the Poems by Laura Riding
Published by Carcanet
Small Sad Song
By Alastair Reid
From Inside Out – Selected Poetry and Translations
Published by Polygon
Park Mill
By Andrew Greig
From This Life, This Life
Published by Bloodaxe
The Good Old Days
By David Sutton
From David Sutton – New and Selected Poem 1965-2005
Published by Peterloo Poets
What's What
By Alastair Reid
From Weathering
Published by Canongate
Anniversary
By Ted Hughes
From Ted Hughes – New Selected Poems – 1957-1994
Published by Faber
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Roger McGough |
| Reader | Kerry Elkins |
| Reader | John MacKay |
| Producer | Sarah Langan |
Broadcasts
- Sun 19 May 201316:30BBC Radio 4 FM
- Sat 25 May 201323:30BBC Radio 4
