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When the Words Leave

In the company of other poets, Caroline Bird explores the silences when it feels like the words have left you.

For Caroline Bird, writing poetry has always occurred in 'seasons.' 'I'll have a year or two of frantic writing, where every billboard, every conversation, sparks a magpie thirst in me and the words just seem to connect and spark off each other. And then it will disappear. Suddenly, overnight...'

In this documentary, Caroline Bird seeks out the company of other poets to explore these anxious silences, where it feels as if words have abandoned you. She speaks with Marie Howe, Vanessa Kisuule, Liz Berry, Oliver Carmichael, Jack Underwood and Hannah Copley.

Original music composed by Phil Smith
Produced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Nov 202519:15

Broadcast

  • Sun 9 Nov 202519:15

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