Michael Longley, Anne Waldman and 'Why'D You Only Call Me When You're High?'

Jesus wept its been way too long lads, but we're back at you with poems, craic, probably lies about Irish history and loads of other bits and pieces to help you start the week off poetically.The community lost one its most powerful voices in January with the loss of Belfast poet Michael Longley. Known for his work helping paint pictures of peace in Northern Ireland, we shine a light on his poetry on our first episode back.We have a lovely spring poem from Sinead Byrne Canning to shake off the cobwebs, a piece by Steve Denehan about Vending machines, but as you'll see, its definitely about more than vending machines even if the poem itself is called 'Vending Machines' and, as expected, a folklore story from Leon that we urge you not to fact checkThe agony aunt is all about what to do when who you have a crush on only fancies you when he's battered (tough call) and the show is wrapped up by Anne Waldman and a song from her brand new LP 'Your Devotee In Rags'. The track is called Hag, and its a belter.Our read-along is also back this month with The Winding Stair so if you need a push to get back into reading, sign up to the Patreon on the link belowPoems from the showTime - Sinead Byrne Canning (Instagram - @sineadbyrnecanning)The Ice Cream Man - Michael Longley https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2025/0201/1494193-michael-longley-funeral/Vending Machine - Steve Denehan https://www.stevedenehanpoetry.com/Bird - John Murphy https://www.poetryireland.ie/publications/poetry-ireland-review/online-archive/view/birdHag - Anne Waldman and Andrew Whitemanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieCIwaDJ8ncSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins