A journey through deep time, human smallness, and the quiet power of landscape. In this episode, Alden explores Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ozymandias through a geological lens—shifting the focus from fallen empires to the slow, patient forces of sand, wind, and stone. From there, he reads and unpacks his own poem, The Black Combe Outlier, a meditation on isolation, slate geology, and the strange comfort found on a mountain that doesn’t care whether we climb it or not.

The episode closes with a practical, candid guide to using Threads as a poet—how to share process instead of promotion, how to build community through conversation, and how to let your digital presence feel like a living chapbook rather than an advert.

A blend of poetry, geology, creative life, and modern connection—perfect for listeners who crave both the elemental and the everyday.

In this episode, Alden Carrow reads John Clare’s “The Flood” and explores how landscapes—both physical and digital—shape the way we live, write, and connect. Moving from Clare’s turbulent Northamptonshire waters to the tight stone throat of Ambleside in the Lake District, Alden reflects on constriction, flow, and the pressures that carve both valleys and creative lives.

You’ll hear a full reading and analysis of Clare’s powerful nature poem The Flood, followed by Alden’s own piece, Ambleside – The Stone Funnel, from Cumbria In Verse: Lakes to Fells in Poetry. This episode dives into the geology, weather, architecture, and human rhythms that define Ambleside, revealing how the town becomes a funnel for rain, tourists, students, and shifting light.

The discussion then turns to the digital landscape—specifically Bluesky—and why poets, authors, and nature writers are finding a new sense of community there. Alden breaks down how decentralized feeds, Starter Packs, and a quieter algorithm create an “open field” for writers tired of the noise of traditional social platforms. If you’re looking to build an authentic audience, promote your book without shouting, or reconnect with the joy of sharing art online, this segment offers practical insight and encouragement.

Whether you’re a poetry lover, a Lake District enthusiast, a John Clare admirer, or a writer navigating the changing online world, this episode offers a blend of landscape writing, literary analysis, and digital creativity.

If you’d like to suggest a future guest poem, email Alden at [email protected]. New episodes every Wednesday.

In this immersive episode, Alden Carrow, author of Cornwall In Verse — Tide To Tor, invites you to step onto the oldest stage in existence: nature itself.

The Cosmic Voice: Ralph Waldo Emerson

We begin with a sweeping exploration of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s "Song of Nature". Moving beyond the idea of nature as a passive backdrop, Alden reflects on the Transcendentalist belief that the environment is a "living, breathing protagonist". Through a reading of Emerson's verse—which functions like a "time-lapse video" of mountains and oceans—we explore geological time and the earth as the original storyteller, writing its history in "rock and fire".

The Sea-Carved Theatre: Cornwall’s Minack

From the cosmic, we move to the tangible granite cliffs of Land’s End. Alden shares his own poem, "Minack Theatre," a tribute to the world-famous open-air stage carved directly into the cliffside. Here, we witness the literal synthesis of art and environment: a place where the Atlantic provides the percussion, gulls are the unscripted extras, and the moon serves as the primary lamp.

The Digital Stage: Poetry on X

Shifting from "star-lit waters" to the "digital cliffs of the internet," Alden offers a practical guide to using X (formerly Twitter) as a tool for the modern poet. This segment explores:

Building Community: Why engagement and generosity are the best currencies on the platform.

Visual Storytelling: Using "micro-poems" and evocative imagery to stop the scroll.

Digital Boundaries: How to navigate the algorithm and manage mental health while remaining a poet first and a content creator second.

Join the Conversation

This episode is a journey across centuries and landscapes, proving that whether the stage is made of granite or pixels, the voice of the poet remains vital.

What poem should Alden read next? Do you have a personal favourite or a classic that resonates with you? Email your guest poem suggestions to [email protected] to help shape a future episode.

In this episode of the podcast, host Alden Carrow—author of Cornwall In Verse – Tide To Tor In Poetry — explores the thin lines between the known world and the realm of myth. This show focuses on slowing down to discover the poetry living in both the extraordinary and the everyday.

Stepping Into the Mist: John Keats

The journey begins with a guest poem from the Romantic era: John Keats’ "La Belle Dame sans Merci," written in 1819. Alden analyzes this quintessential ballad of magical encounter and the haunting "cold hill side" that remains once the magic fades. The discussion delves into:

Landscape as a Mirror: How Keats uses a "landscape of ending"—where no birds sing and the sedge is withered—to reflect a purgatorial state of mind.

The Food of the Fae: The significance of the "wild honey" and "manna-dew" offered by the faery's child, which binds the knight to a different reality.

Ambiguity and Perspective: Questioning whether the knight was a victim of a malicious enchantress or his own projected desires.

The Soul of Boscastle

Moving from the imagination to the tangible, Alden shares his own poem, "Boscastle". Inspired by the north coast of Cornwall, the poem captures a village defined by:

Mystical History: The influence of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and the lush Valency Valley.

Raw Power: The memory of the devastating 2004 flash flood and the "roaring might" of the water.

Resilience: The "quiet grace" of a community that rebuilt and bloomed again where torrents once ran.

Marketing for the Modern Poet

In the discussion segment, Alden addresses the struggle many writers feel when using digital platforms like Facebook for book promotion. He reframes marketing not as shouting, but as "lighting a small fire in the town square". Tips include:

Sharing the Landscape: Using powerful visuals of the places that inspire poems to stop the scroll.

The Story Behind the Poem: Pulling back the curtain to share the personal experiences behind the writing.

Finding Your Tribe: Joining Facebook groups based on themes like folklore or coastal walking rather than just writer-promotion groups.

Authenticity and Consistency: Using "soft sells," regular updates, and the power of video to let readers hear the poet's voice.

Join the Journey

Listeners are invited to suggest future guest poems—whether classics, modern pieces, or personal favourites—by emailing [email protected].

In this episode, Alden Carrow explores the Sacredness of Place—the way certain landscapes don’t just surround us, but shape us. The journey begins with Gerard Manley Hopkins’ fierce and unforgettable poem “Inversnaid,” a hymn to wildness that refuses to be tamed. Alden unpacks Hopkins’ muscular language, his spiritual ecology, and the poem’s urgent plea to preserve the “wet and wildness” that keeps the world honest.

From the roaring burn of Loch Lomond, the episode travels south to the granite heart of Cornwall with Alden’s own poem, “Altarnun.” Set in a village carved from Bodmin Moor’s ancient stone, the poem reflects on endurance, memory, and the quiet holiness found in places shaped by centuries of weather, worship, and human hands. Alden shares the inspiration behind the piece and the deeper meanings woven into its imagery.

The episode then shifts into a practical yet soulful discussion of self‑publishing through Ingram Spark—why independent publishing empowers poets, how book design becomes an extension of artistic voice, and what it means to build a physical home for your words.

Whether you’re here for poetry, creative insight, or the shared love of landscapes that linger in the spirit, this episode invites you to slow down, listen closely, and rediscover the wild, the sacred, and the enduring.

In this episode of Alden Carrow’s Poetry Podcast, Alden explores the profound theme of “The Timelessness of Place” through two evocative poems—one from the wider world of English literature, and one from his own collection Cornwall In Verse – Tide To Tor In Poetry.

The episode opens with Edward Thomas’s iconic poem “Adlestrop,” a masterpiece of stillness, memory, and the quiet power of the English countryside. Alden reflects on how Thomas transforms an unexpected pause at a rural station into a moment of eternity—where steam, silence, birdsong, and summer heat merge into a single, unforgettable image. Through thoughtful analysis, Alden unpacks the poem’s sensory richness, its historical poignancy, and its enduring ability to transport readers into a landscape suspended in time.

From there, the journey moves south to the rugged Cornish coast with Alden’s own poem, “Cornwall Awaits.” Drawing from his book Cornwall In Verse – Tide To Tor In Poetry, Alden reads and explores the piece’s themes of geology, memory, belonging, and the elemental force of the Atlantic. He discusses the granite backbone of Cornwall, the twisting lanes, the scent of gorse in summer rain, and the deep sense of return that the landscape evokes. The poem becomes a conversation between land and traveller—between ancient stone and the modern wanderer seeking connection.

In the discussion segment, Alden shifts from the poetic to the practical, offering clear, grounded advice for independent authors navigating Amazon KDP. He breaks down:

KDP Select and whether enrolling your eBook is worth it

Kindle Unlimited and how poets can benefit from page‑read royalties

Free Days and Countdown Deals as visibility tools

Amazon Ads—including targeting strategies, budgets, and avoiding wasted spend

Author Central and why a polished profile strengthens your brand

Paperback pricing in a world of rising print costs

This episode blends literary appreciation, creative insight, and real‑world publishing guidance—perfect for poets, writers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to place.

Whether you’re here for the poetry, the landscapes, or the indie‑author wisdom, this episode invites you to pause, breathe, and listen closely to the worlds that open when we stop rushing through them.

If you have a poem you’d love Alden to feature in a future episode—classic, modern, or personally meaningful—email him at [email protected]. Your suggestions help shape the shared journey of this podcast.

In this powerful and atmospheric episode of Alden Carrow’s Poetry Podcast, we explore the profound tension between military life and the natural world, a theme rooted deeply in the landscapes of North Yorkshire. This week’s guest poem is Henry Reed’s iconic “Naming of Parts,” a masterful piece written during the Second World War that contrasts the mechanical rigidity of military training with the blossoming vitality of spring. Through Reed’s dual‑voiced structure, we witness the clash between duty and daydream, discipline and beauty, destruction and renewal.

Alden guides listeners through a rich, thoughtful analysis of the poem, drawing connections to personal family history—including his grandfather’s harrowing experience at the Second Battle of El Alamein—and reflecting on how war reshapes both land and memory. This episode is perfect for listeners who love war poetry, nature poetry, British literature, and close reading.

From there, Alden transitions to his own original poem, “Catterick Garrison – March and Meadow,” inspired by one of Europe’s largest military bases, located in the heart of Richmondshire, North Yorkshire. This poem explores the coexistence of steel and moorland, drill and river, duty and tenderness, capturing the unique soundscape and emotional landscape of Catterick. Listeners will hear how the River Swale, the rolling Dales, and the rhythms of military life intertwine to create a place that is both fierce and kind.

In the second half of the episode, Alden shifts into a practical and empowering discussion for writers: a clear, artist‑focused guide to self‑publishing platforms. Whether you’re preparing to publish your first book or refining your indie author strategy, this segment breaks down the strengths and limitations of:

Amazon KDP — the most accessible route for ebooks and print‑on‑demand

KDP Select & Kindle Unlimited — visibility vs. exclusivity

IngramSpark — essential for bookshops, libraries, and professional distribution

Draft2Digital — a user‑friendly aggregator for wide ebook distribution

Direct Sales via Payhip, Gumroad, or Shopify — the highest royalties and strongest reader connection

Alden also shares insights from his own author journey, including the value of owning your own ISBNs, ordering physical proof copies, and using Facebook Ads to drive targeted traffic to your books for as little as £2 per day.

This episode is ideal for listeners interested in:

Poetry analysis

British war poetry

North Yorkshire landscapes

Creative writing and the writing life

Self‑publishing tips for indie authors

Military history and cultural geography

Nature writing and place‑based storytelling

Join Alden as he blends literature, landscape, memory, and practical wisdom into a reflective, inspiring listening experience. And as always, he invites you to contribute to the journey: share a poem you love, suggest a future guest poem, or simply take a moment to slow down and find the poetry in the everyday.

In this immersive episode, Alden Carrow—author of North Yorkshire In Verse – Moor To Shore In Poetry—guides listeners deep into the dramatic landscapes of Cumbria and the Lake District, exploring how geography, memory, and the sublime shape both classic and contemporary poetry.

We begin with a powerful reading from William Wordsworth’s The Prelude, focusing on the iconic “Stolen Boat” passage. Alden unpacks the psychological tension between the serene surface of Ullswater and the sudden terror of the “huge peak, black and huge” rising from behind the ridge. This episode offers a vivid, accessible analysis of Wordsworth’s confrontation with the sublime, the parallax effect in the poem, and the way Cumbrian landscapes blur beauty with threat. Perfect for listeners interested in Romantic poetry, Lake District literature, and the deeper meanings behind Wordsworth’s most haunting imagery.

From there, Alden introduces his own poem, “The White Plunge (Aira Force)”, from the forthcoming collection Cumbria In Verse – Lakes To Fells In Poetry (March 2026). The poem captures the raw power of Aira Force waterfall—its thunder, its ghostlike presence, and the violent energy that shapes the mossy, twilight chasms around it. Listeners will hear how the waterfall’s fury contrasts with the stillness of Ullswater, creating a thematic bridge between Wordsworth’s sublime and Alden’s modern interpretation of the same landscape.

In the discussion segment, Alden shifts from the ancient fells to the modern writing studio, offering a practical and honest look at how AI can support independent authors. This includes:

How AI helps with Front Matter and Back Matter

Using AI to generate copyright pages, disclaimers, and ISBN formatting

Streamlining Ebook Tables of Contents

Crafting effective blurbs and author bios

Understanding AI as a studio assistant, not a creative replacement

This episode is ideal for poets, writers, self‑publishers, and anyone curious about blending traditional craft with modern tools. Whether you’re drawn to the Lake District’s rugged beauty, fascinated by Wordsworth’s psychological landscapes, or looking for practical guidance on the business of publishing, this episode offers depth, clarity, and inspiration.

Alden closes with an invitation to listeners: share the poems that move you. Suggest a future guest poem and become part of the growing British Counties In Verse community. [email protected]

North Yorkshire in Verse - Moor To Shore In Poetry: Wordsworth’s The Force Of Prayer, Whitby Abbey, and the Poetry of Landscape & Loss — a reflective episode exploring how place shapes grief, memory, and the making of poetry. Host Alden Carrow reads and unpacks William Wordsworth’s The Force of Prayer, follows the legend of the Strid and Bolton Priory, and offers an original poem about Whitby Abbey. This episode blends Romantic poetry, local legend, and contemporary verse to reveal how wild landscapes turn sorrow into sanctuary.

What You’ll Hear

Guest poem: William Wordsworth’s The Force of Prayer and a close reading of its Strid legend.

Narrative walk: A guided, atmospheric journey along the River Wharfe and the 199 steps at Whitby.

Close analysis: Themes of pride, accident, and the alchemy of grief that transforms loss into architecture.

Original poem: Whitby Abbey — Stone Above Sea, Shadow Beneath Sky from North Yorkshire in Verse — Moor To Shore In Poetry.

Practical takeaway: How to listen to landscape, find meaning in ruins, and turn private sorrow into lasting work.

Wordsworth; The Strid; Bolton Priory; Whitby Abbey; North Yorkshire poetry; Romantic poetry; coastal ruins; landscape and loss; poetry podcast; Alden Carrow; Moor To Shore In Poetry.

Who This Episode Is For

Listeners who love Romantic-era poetry and local legend.

Fans of heritage, coastal ruins, and landscape writing.

Writers and readers seeking meditative approaches to grief, memory, and place.

If you enjoyed this episode, explore North Yorkshire in Verse — Moor To Shore In Poetry and Cornwall in Verse — Tide To Tor In Poetry on Amazon. Suggest a guest poem for a future episode by emailing [email protected] and help shape the next walk through landscape and verse.

Join Alden Carrow as he explores the contrasts of urban decay and renewal through Eliot’s Preludes and Larkin’s Going, Going, before sharing his own poem celebrating the vibrant Malton Festival. This episode reflects on changing cities, community spirit, and the poetry found in everyday life. Listeners are invited to submit favourite poems to feature in future episodes.