Orpheus and the Art of Grief: A Poet's Perspective

Have you ever wondered how poetry can help us face grief and mortality? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, poet, philosopher and scholar Luke Fischer shares how poetry allows us to sit with loss and navigate life’s deepest challenges.Luke talks about his personal journey, the influence of philosophy on his work, and how themes of nature, death and extinction shape his writing. His exploration of the Orpheus myth is particularly moving, showing how ancient stories continue to help us process grief.Whether you're a poetry lover or new to it, this conversation will inspire reflection on death, creativity, and language.Key highlights: ● The role of poetry in grief ● Luke's personal and creative journey ● The Orpheus myth and mortality ● How poetry keeps language alive ● Tips for expressing grief creativelyLearn more about Luke: Profile LinkDiscover the Orpheus and Eurydice myth: A great place to start is Metamorphoses by Ovid — particularly Books X and XI. Read Book X online: Metamorphoses (Book X) – OvidList of all the works mentioned by Luke Fischer during the episode:A Gamble for My Daughter (poetry collection)A Personal History of Vision (poetry collection)Paths of Flight (poetry collection)The Blue Forest (children's book)The Poet as a Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems (monograph)Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus: Philosophical and Critical Perspectives(co-edited volume of essays)Goethe Yearbook (co-edited special section on Goethe and Environmentalism)Beyond Existentialism: The Orphic Unity of Life and Death (essay included in Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus)If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and help normalise conversations about death.You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/