Alden Carrow reads… John Clare’s “The Flood,” Ambleside’s Stone Funnel, and Why Poets Are Moving to Bluesky.

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.