The Poetry Exchange

By The Poetry Exchange

Arts Literature

What's The Poetry Exchange about?

'Most Original Podcast' Nominee in The British Podcast Awards.

The Poetry Exchange shares the conversations we have with people about a poem that has been a friend to them, alongside bespoke recordings of these poems, made as 'gifts' for our visitors. The Poetry Exchange is recorded in a range of venues and settings and features both public visitors and invited guests.

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LAST EPISODE

The Horses by Ted Hughes - ...

04.16.2021

In this episode, Lewi talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'The Horses' by Ted Hughes. Lewi joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of our Lockdown Exchanges. It ...

The Poetry Exchange episodes:

04.16.2021 The Horses by Ted Hughes - A Friend to Lewi In this episode, Lewi talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'The Horses' by Ted Hughes. Lewi joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of our Lockdown Exchanges. It ...
03.19.2021 Still I Rise by Maya Angelou - A Friend to Fehmida In this episode, Fehmida talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou. Fehmida joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of our Lockdown Exchanges. ...
02.24.2021 Aubade by Philip Larkin - A Friend to Tom In this episode, Tom talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Aubade' by Philip Larkin. Tom visited The Poetry Exchange in February 2020 for what turned out to be our last live event ...
01.28.2021 Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath - A Friend to Jenny In this episode, Jenny talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'Mushrooms' by Sylvia Plath. Jenny joined The Poetry Exchange online and is in conversation with Poetry Exchange team members, Fiona Bennett and ...
12.16.2020 A Recovered Memory of Water by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill - A Friend to Pádraig Ó Tuama In this episode, Pádraig Ó Tuama talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Cuimhne An Uisce' / 'A Recovered Memory of Water' by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, translated by Paul Muldoon. Pádraig Ó Tuama ...
11.20.2020 A Short Story of Falling by Alice Oswald - A Friend to Charlie In this episode, Charlie talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'A Short Story of Falling' by Alice Oswald. Charlie joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of our ...
10.15.2020 Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns and I Am by John Clare - Poems as Friends to Brian Cox In this episode, world-renowned actor, Brian Cox CBE talks with us about two poems that have been friends to him – 'Ae Fond Kiss' by Robert Burns and 'I am' by John Clare. Brian joined The Poetry Exchange online, from ...
09.21.2020 Spring and Fall By Gerard Manley Hopkins - A Friend To Vahni Capildeo In this episode, Forward Prize-winning poet Vahni Capildeo talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to them – 'Spring and Fall' by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Vahni joined The Poetry Exchange online, from their family home in ...
08.21.2020 "Hope" is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson - A Friend to Lucy In this episode, Lucy talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to her – "Hope is the thing with feathers" by Emily Dickinson. Emily joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of ...
07.28.2020 Vers De Société by Philip Larkin - Poem as Friend to Stephen In this episode, Stephen Beresford talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Vers De Société' by Philip Larkin. Stephen visited The Poetry Exchange in London. He is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team ...
06.25.2020 Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas - Poem as Friend to Adrian In this episode, Adrian talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Fern Hill' by Dylan Thomas. Adrian joined The Poetry Exchange online, via video call, for one of our 'Lockdown Exchanges' that took place ...
05.28.2020 Remember By Joy Harjo - Poem As Friend To Rachel Eliza Griffiths In this episode, Rachel Eliza Griffiths talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – Remember by Joy Harjo. Rachel Eliza visited The Poetry Exchange 'long distance' in an online conversation between London and New York. She ...
05.13.2020 'Then or Now' - Adrienne Rich - a poem-score for Ballet Black Then or Now - the episode featuring the poetry of Adrienne Rich and our collaboration with Ballet Black is no longer available, since we hope to be able to announce details soon of the full dance production! More news soon! ...
04.27.2020 Ashes Of Life By Edna St. Vincent Millay - Poem As Friend To Laura In this episode, Laura Wade talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'Ashes of Life' by Edna St. Vincent Millay. We are very grateful to Laura for allowing us to share this conversation with ...
03.25.2020 The Hug by Thom Gunn - Poem as Friend to Sam In this episode, Sam talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'The Hug' by Thom Gunn. Sam visited The Poetry Exchange in Manchester Central Library, as part of the celebrations of International Mother Language ...
02.21.2020 Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost - Poem as Friend to Victoria In this episode, Victoria talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost. Victoria visited The Poetry Exchange in Battersea, London in 2019. Victoria is in conversation ...
01.24.2020 The Fury Of Overshoes by Anne Sexton - Poem as Friend to Laura In this episode, Laura talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'The Fury of Overshoes' by Anne Sexton. Our thanks to the Anne Sexton Estate and Sterling Lord Literistic Agency for allowing us to ...
12.18.2019 Seachange by Kate Genevieve - Poem as Friend to Prasanna In this episode, Prasanna talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Seachange' by Kate Genevieve. Thank you to Kate Genevieve for giving us permission to share her poem. Find out more about Kate and ...
11.27.2019 The Death by Heroin of Sid Vicious by Paul Durcan - Poem as Friend to John In this episode, John talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'The Death by Heroin of Sid Vicious' by Paul Durcan. John visited The Poetry Exchange in London. He is in conversation with The ...
10.18.2019 De Ceder / The Cedar by Han G. Hoekstra - Poem as Friend to Alida In this episode, Alida talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'De Ceder' / 'The Cedar' by Han G. Hoekstra. You will hear the poem in Dutch and in an English translation by Alida herself. ...
08.20.2019 Special Episode - Latitude 2019 with Nadine Shah and Hannah Jane Walker In this special feature length episode, recorded live at Latitude Festival, Nadine Shah and Hannah Jane Walker talk about the poems that have been friends to them. Nadine and Hannah are in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, Michael ...
07.19.2019 O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman - Poem as Friend to Farah In this episode, Farah talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – 'O Captain! My Captain!' by Walt Whitman. Farah visited The Poetry Exchange in London. She is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, ...
06.26.2019 The Guest House by Rumi - Poem as Friend to Yasmin In this episode, Yasmin talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘The Guest House' by Rumi. We’re delighted to feature ‘The Guest House’ in this episode and would like to thank the poem's Translator, Coleman ...
05.22.2019 Mathios Paskalis Among The Roses by George Seferis- Poem as Friend to John In this episode, poet John McAuliffe talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'Mathios Paskalis Among The Roses' by George Seferis. We’re delighted to feature ‘Mathios Paskalis Among The Roses’ in this episode and would ...
04.25.2019 Of Mutability by Jo Shapcott- Poem As Friend To Hannah In this episode, Hannah talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘Of Mutability’ by Jo Shapcott. We’re delighted to feature ‘Of Mutability’ in this episode and would like to thank Faber & Faber for granting ...
03.20.2019 The force that through the green fuse drives the flower by Dylan Thomas - Poem As Friend To Angela In this episode, Angela talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘The force that through the green fuse' by Dylan Thomas. We’re delighted to feature ‘The force that through the green fuse drives the flower’ ...
02.20.2019 Barcarole by Pablo Neruda - translated by Robert Hass - Poem As Friend To Mark In this episode, Mark talks about the poem that has been a friend to him – ‘Barcarole' by Pablo Neruda - translated by Robert Hass. We’re delighted to feature ‘Barcarole’ in this episode and would like to thank Agencia Literaria ...
01.23.2019 Dich / You by Erich Fried - Poem As Friend To Katharine In this episode, Katharine talks about the poem that has been a friend to her – ‘Dich’ / ‘You’ by Erich Fried. We are delighted to feature ‘Dich’ / ‘You’ in this episode and would like to thank Verlag Klaus ...
12.14.2018 This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin - Poem as Friend to Hannah In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Hannah talk about the poem that has been a friend to her: 'This Be The Verse' by Philip Larkin. We are delighted to feature 'This Be The Verse' in this episode ...
11.12.2018 Last Post By Carol Ann Duffy - Poem As Friend To Jackie In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Jackie talk about the poem that has been a friend to her: 'Last Post' by Carol Ann Duffy. We are delighted to feature 'Last Post' in this episode and would like ...
10.12.2018 The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes - Poem as Friend to Roy Welcome to The Poetry Exchange. We have conversations with individuals about a poem that has been a friend to them. In exchange we make them a gift: a unique recording of their chosen poem, inspired by the conversation and their ...
09.13.2018 Continuous by Tony Harrison - Poem as Friend to Peter In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Peter talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: 'Continuous' by Tony Harrison. We are delighted to feature 'Continuous' in this episode and would like to thank both ...
07.13.2018 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree by W. B. Yeats - Poem As Friend To Tom In this episode you will hear Tom talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'The Lake Isle Of Innisfree' by W. B. Yeats. Tom visited us at HOME in Manchester. We are very grateful to ...
06.15.2018 How The World Gets Bigger by Alyson Hallett - Poem as Friend to Roxy In this episode you will hear writer and actor Roxy Dunn talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'How The World Gets Bigger' by Alyson Hallett. Roxy visited us at Pushkin House in London. We ...
05.15.2018 Proem by Martin Carter - Poem as Friend to Nicholas In this episode you will hear Nicholas Laughlin talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Proem' by Martin Carter. Nicholas is one of our 'long distance' visitors and joined us via Skype, from Trinidad. Nicholas ...
04.17.2018 A Kite For Aibhín By Seamus Heaney - Poem as Friend to Fiona In this episode you will hear Founder of The Poetry Exchange, Fiona Bennett talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'A Kite for Aibhín' by Seamus Heaney. For more inspiration surrounding Heaney and his work, ...
03.15.2018 Love by George Herbert - Poem As Friend To Andrew Scott In this episode you will hear renowned actor Andrew Scott talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Love (III)' by George Herbert. Andrew visited us Battersea, London and is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange ...
02.15.2018 How Surely Gravity's Law by Rainer Maria Rilke - Poem as Friend to Lisa In this episode you will hear Lisa talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'How Surely Gravity's Law' by Rainer Maria Rilke. Lisa visited us at John Ryland's Library in Manchester and is in conversation ...
01.18.2018 Return By C. P. Cavafy - Poem As Friend To John In this episode you will hear John talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Return' by C. P. Cavafy - translated by Rae Dalven. John is our first 'Long Distance' visitor to The Poetry Exchange ...
12.14.2017 This Poem by Salena Godden - Poem as Friend to Dan In this episode you will hear Dan talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'This Poem' by Salena Godden. Dan visited us in Lambeth, London and is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members ...
11.09.2017 Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen - Poem as Friend to Joolz In this episode you will hear poet Joolz Sparkes talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'Dulce et decorum est' by Wilfred Owen. Joolz visited us in Lambeth, London and is in conversation with The ...
09.28.2017 5 AM by Roxy Dunn - Poem As Friend to Paterson Joseph In this episode you will hear extraordinary actor Paterson Joseph talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - '5 AM' by Roxy Dunn. Paterson visited us at The October Gallery in London. We are very grateful ...
08.24.2017 The Island By A.A. Milne - Poem As Friend To Liis In this episode you will hear Liis talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'The Island' by A.A. Milne. Liis visited us at Wise Words Festival in Canterbury. For the first time, we held The ...
07.27.2017 Love by George Herbert - Poem As Friend To Jonathan In this episode you will hear Jonathan talking about the poem that has been a friend to him - 'Love (III)' by George Herbert. Jonathan visited us at Wise Words Festival in Canterbury. For the first time, we held The ...
02.22.2017 Turns by Tony Harrison - Poem as Friend to Maxine In this episode, you will hear the brilliant actor Maxine Peake talking about the poem that has been a friend to her: ’Turns' by Tony Harrison. Maxine visited The Poetry Exchange at John Rylands Library in May 2016. We’re very ...
12.21.2016 Poem (Lana Turner Has Collapsed)by Frank O'Hara - Poem as Friend to Harry In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Harry talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: ’Poem (Lana Turner Has Collapsed)' by Frank O'Hara. Harry visited The Poetry Exchange at John Rylands Library in May ...
11.21.2016 On Children (from 'The Prophet') by Kahlil Gibran - Poem as Friend to Hafsah In this episode of our podcast, you will hear the brilliant poet and theatre-maker Hafsah Bashir talking about the poem that has been a friend to her: ’On Children' by Kahlil Gibran. Hafsah visited The Poetry Exchange at John Rylands ...
05.23.2016 For Sigrid (from ‘The Bounty’) by Derek Walcott - Poem as Friend to Mark In this episode of the podcast, you will hear Mark talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: ’For Sigrid' by Derek Walcott. Mark visited The Poetry Exchange at The Chapel in St Chad's College as part ...
04.15.2016 Restlessness by D.H. Lawrence - Poem as Friend to Alison In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Alison talking about the poem that has been a friend to her: ’Restlessness' by D. H. Lawrence. Alison visited The Poetry Exchange at the Chapel in St Chad's College as part ...
03.17.2016 The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats - Poem as Friend to Martin In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Martin talking about the poem that has been a friend to him: ’The Lake Isle of Innisfree' by W. B. Yeats. Martin visited The Poetry Exchange at The Poetry Library at ...

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