PODCAST · education
Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast
by Benjamin Collopy
Words That Burn is a poetry podcast about how poems actually work. Each episode takes a single poem and reads it closely, usually in about 20 minutes. That means the lines themselves first: the sound, the shape on the page, the images, the things left out. Then the life behind the poem, the historical moment it came from, and the technical choices that give the work its charge. The aim is never to settle a poem's meaning but to show what it is doing, clearly enough that you can go back to the page and see it for yourself. Poets covered include: Audre Lorde, Raymond Carver, Mary Ruefle, Kaveh Akbar, Rowan Ricardo Phillips and Annemarie Ní Churreáin, alongside contemporary Irish collections as they appear. Host Ben Collopy also talks to poets about their new books and their craft, including Mark Ward on Real Estate and Shannon Kuta Kelly. How a collection takes shape, what gets cut, and the decisions that never show up in the finished
Episodes
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An Interview with Poet Stephen de Búrca
Poet Stephen de Búrca joins me on Words That Burn to talk through his debut collection Atlantic Fret, published by The Gallery Press; a book where sea mist and anxiety share a single word, and where the Atlantic carries both personal grief and the weight of the climate crisis. Stephen explains…
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An Interview with Poet Leeanne Quinn
Poet Leeanne Quinn joins Words That Burn to discuss her third collection, Landscape with Question, published by Carcanet Press. Written between Drogheda and Vienna, the collection holds two conversations at once: one with the Irish modernist painter Nano Reid, whose family bar on James' Street…
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Famous Americans and Why They Were Wrong by Kaveh Akbar- Poetry Reading and Analysis
Welcome back to Words That Burn, the poetry podcast taking a closer look at poetry. In this episode, host Benjamin Collopy offers a close reading of Kaveh Akbar's "Famous Americans and Why They Were Wrong", from his 2021 collection Pilgrim Bell. The poem runs to seven couplets and moves from a...
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An Interview with Belfast Poet Matthew Rice
In this episode of Words That Burn, the poetry podcast dedicated to literary analysis and poetic interpretation, I sit down with Belfast poet Matthew Rice to discuss his new collection Plastic: a book-length poem mapped across a single night shift in an invented plastics factory. It's published…
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Interview with Dublin Poet Mark Ward
Welcome back to Words That Burn, the poetry podcast where host Benjamin Collopy takes a closer look at the verse that shapes our world. Whether you're here to deepen your poetry appreciation or are simply looking for accessible poetry for beginners, the goal is to make poetry education engaging…
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Deconstruction by Mary Ruefle
Welcome back to Words That Burn, the podcast taking a closer look at poetry. In this episode, host Benjamin Collopy offers a close reading of Mary Ruefle’s four-line masterpiece, “Deconstruction.” This brief but devastating poem masterfully bridges ancient myth with the unbearable weight of…
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Shannon Kuta Kelly on Liminal Spaces, Folklore, and Her Debut Collection The Tree is Missing
In this episode of Words That Burn, I sit down with poet Shannon Kuta Kelly to explore the beautifully haunting landscapes of her debut poetry collection, The Tree is Missing (coming this April from Faber and Faber). Shannon’s work has been featured in the New England Review, Poetry Ireland…
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Oidhreacht by Louis De Paor
Celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge with a closer look at "Oidhreacht" (Heredity), a powerful piece by Irish poet and Gaeilgeoir, Louis De Paor. In this episode of Words That Burn, we explore the complex psychogeography of Ireland and the tension between holding onto the past and embracing the future…
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Coping by Audre Lorde
Does the constant barrage of global news make you want to turn off the screens and bury your head? You aren’t alone. In a world that feels like a "round puddle of sunless water," how do we keep going? In this episode of Words That Burn, I analyse Audre Lorde’s powerful poem, "Coping." Written by...
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The Solstice by W.S. Merwin
In the final episode of Words That Burn for 2025, we turn our attention to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the American poet who captured its delicate balance of darkness and light: W.S. Merwin. This episode's poem "The Solstice," a work of minimalist verse that explores…
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An Interview with Irish Poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach
In this episode of Words That Burn, I'm joined by Irish poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach to discuss her debut pamphlet, Pink Roses and Green. Together, we chat about a collection that sits at the intersection of the "nine-to-five grind," Millennial burnout, and a deep, tactile longing for the natural...
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This Living Hand by John Keats
For Halloween 2025, Words That Burn resurrects one of the most chilling poems in English literature: "This Living Hand" by John Keats. This short, macabre poem wasn't published until 77 years after Keats's death, making it feel like a genuine message from beyond the grave. In this special…
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Rain by Raymond Carver
Ever woken up to rain and felt the urge to stay in bed all day? On this episode of Words That Burn "Rain" by Raymond Carver. This is a poem that seems ideally suited to September, exploring that universal feeling of surrendering to the weather and the comfort of your own bed. Over the course of…
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The Language Ban by Annemarie Ní Churreáin
This week on Words That Burn, we delve into the powerful and moving poem "The Language Ban" from Annemarie Ní Churreáin's acclaimed 2021 collection, The Poison Glen. Join me as we explore the hidden history of Irish Sign Language (ISL) and the devastating impact of its suppression. Discover the...
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Door On The Road by Mosab Abu Toha
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate In this episode of Words That Burn, I take a closer look at "Door on the Road," by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha. The poem opens with the aftermath of an explosion in a refugee camp, where a fallen door...
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Ophelia's Head Is Finished by Olga Dermott-Bond
In this episode of Words That Burn, I take a closer look at Ophelia’s Head Is Finished by the brilliant poet Olga Dermott-Bond—a haunting and layered ekphrastic response to John Everett Millais’ iconic painting Ophelia. Inspired by a chilling epigraph from one of Millais’ 1852 letters, the poem...
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An Interview with Maurice Riordan
In this episode of Words That Burn, poet Maurice Riordan joins Ben to reflect on a career-spanning selection of poems curated by former student and fellow poet Jack Underwood. With the new Selected Poems from Faber and Faber arranged out of chronology, Riordan discusses how themes like rural…
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Spring Song by Reg Saner
Spring Song by Reg Saner: an eternal cycle we're all lucky to have In this episode of 'Words That Burn,' Reg Saner's poem 'Spring Song.' is the central focus With spring setting in, the episode explores the poetic beauty and profound themes in Saner's work, such as points of intersection and...
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Snowdrops by Louise Glück
Exploring Louise Glück's 'Snowdrops': A Tale of Resilience and Renewal It's a new year and with it comes the common pressure cooker that is January. You will be awash in a sea of resolutions and you might be feeling the need to ''hit the ground running'' so to speak. In short; I think it's awful....
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November by Maggie Dietz
An In-Depth Analysis of 'November' by Maggie Dietz | Words That Burn Podcast Join me, your host Ben, in this episode of 'Words That Burn' as I take a closer look at Maggie Dietz's poignant poem 'November.' Together, we'll explore the evocative imagery, the interplay of surface and underlying...
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If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate The Symbolism and Legacy of Refaat Alareer's Work In this episode, we explore 'If I Must Die' by Palestinian poet Refat Al Arir, whose work powerfully voices the struggles and resilience of Palestinians. We...
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Blossom by Kathleen Jamie
In this episode of Words That Burn, I look at 'Blossom' by Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie. The episode explores Jamie's profound engagement with nature and the existential themes woven throughout her poem. Known for her realistic, non-romanticised depictions of the natural world, Jamie’s work…
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An Interview with Jamie McKendrick
Exploring Poetry with Jamie McKendrick: Memory, Mortality, and Art In this episode of 'Words That Burn', host Ben interviews Jamie McKendrick, one of Britain's leading poets and a foremost translator of Italian poetry. They walk through McKendrick's newest collection, 'Drypoint,' discussing…
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Oh Rascal Children of Gaza by Khaled Juma
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate This episode takes a closer look at Khaled Juma's poignant poem, 'O Rascal Children of Gaza.' . Written in response to the violence during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, the poem heartbreakingly laments…
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There Are Mornings by Lisel Mueller
In this week's episode, we take a closer look at "There Are Mornings" by Liesl Mueller. A poem filled with undertones of threatened endings, but one that holds a burning ember of hope at its core that resonates deeply with readers Liesl Mueller, an American-German poet born in 1924, brings a rich...
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An Interview with Sam Riviere on AI In Poetry
Last week I had an interview with the acclaimed poet Sam Riviere on his new collection Conflicted Copy. As AI technology continues to evolve, many artists feel apprehensive about its impact on their craft. However, Sam has chosen a different path by embracing AI as a unique writing companion,...
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The God of Stories by Ricardo Rowan Phillips
In this episode, we delve into "The God of Stories," a poignant poem by Rowan Ricardo Phillips from his latest collection, Silver (2024). This piece captures the essence of creation myths and the search for meaning, offering a fresh perspective on how we, as humans, assign significance to gods…
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An Interview with Milena Williamson
On this episode of Words That Burn, I feature the poetry of Milena Williamson, a celebrated poet and author of the haunting collection Into the Night That Flies So Fast published by Daedalus Press. In this episode, Milena shares her journey from Pennsylvania to Belfast, her academic and creative...
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Fuck Your Lecture On Craft, My People Are Dying by Noor Hindi
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate In this week's episode of Words That Burn, I take a look at the powerful poem 'Fuck Your Lecture On Craft, My People Are Dying' by Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi. The poem found a surge of interest…
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An Interview with Camille Ralphs
This week on Words That Burn, I am joined by poet Camille Ralphs, whose debut collection After You Were, I Am mesmerises with its vibrant exploration of historical and mythological narratives often overlooked. In this enlightening interview, Ralphs shares the inspiration behind her compelling…
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Doineann by Caitlín Nic Íomhair
Welcome to this special Seachtain Na Gaeilge edition of Words That Burn, where we dive deep into the heart of Irish poetry. In this episode, we explore "Doineann" by Caitlín Nic Íomhair, a poignant piece that mirrors the seasonal changes with the personal and linguistic rebirths of its narrator....
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Owning Everything by Leonard Cohen
Enter the poetic world of Leonard Cohen with this special episode of Words That Burn, dedicated to the transformative power of love and mysticism in Cohen's work. In this episode, we unravel the layers of "Owning Everything," a poem that captures the essence of Cohen's early poetic ventures…
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Siege by Edna St. Vincent Millay
On this episode, I explore the world of Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of America's first celebrity poets. I unravel the layers of "Siege," a poem that showcases Millay's brilliant manipulation of traditional forms to express themes of desire, and the inexorable presence of death. Discover how...
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Nothing More To Lose By Najwan Darwish
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate On this episode of Words That Burn, I take a look at the poignant work of Palestinian poet Najwan Darwish and his devastating poem "Nothing More to Lose." This poem was written over ten years ago, but its...
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Outtake #3 by Susannah Dickey
In this episode, we explore Susannah Dickey’s Outtake #3, a thought-provoking piece from her debut collection, Isdal. This poem critically examines the true crime genre, questioning the ethics of deriving entertainment from real-life tragedies. Dickey’s work is inspired by the mysterious case of...
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Dear Reader by James Tate
In this episode of "Words That Burn," I delve into the enthralling microcosm of James Tate's poem "Dear Reader." Our journey through "Dear Reader's" 13 lines reveals the intricate layers and emotional depth that Tate, a beloved poet of the surreal, weaves into his direct dialogue with the reader....
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The Deluge and The Tree by Fadwa Tuqan
Donation Link: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate *correction: In the episode I mistakenly say the Ireland Solidary Palestine Campaign or ISPC, it is in fact the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign or IPSC apologies for this. In this episode, we explore…
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An Interview with Irish Poet Daragh Fleming
Join us in this riveting episode of Words That Burn, where we delve into the poetic and mental health journey of Daragh Fleming, an acclaimed poet and mental health advocate from Cork, Ireland. Daragh, the voice behind the award-winning Thoughts Too Big blog and author of the poignant collection...
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Halloween Special 2023
Words That Burn Halloween Special 2023 Step into the shadowy world of poetry with the Words That Burn Halloween Special. This episode meticulously unravels the spine-tingling works of three legendary poets: Emily Dickinson, Linda Pastan, and Lord Alfred Tennyson. Emily Dickinson's "One Need Not…
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An Interview with Irish Poet Jessica Traynor
In this special episode, I got a chance to chat with Irish Poet Jessica Traynor about her sequence of witch poems from her 2018 collection The Quick. Jessica Traynor is an accomplished Dublin-based poet whose work reflects her deep roots in Irish history, culture, and contemporary society. Her...
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The Haw Lantern by Seamus Heaney
In this episode, we reflect upon the profound impact of Seamus Heaney, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the poet’s passing by examining his poignant piece, "The Haw Lantern." We explore: The rich, multifaceted landscapes in Heaney's poetry, capturing the essence of Ireland with raw, genuine...
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OBIT [Ambition] by Victoria Chang
What does it mean to truly grieve and can we ever move on from it?. In this episode, I explore OBIT [Ambition] by Victoria Chang, a poignant reflection on how we grieve not just physical deaths but abstract losses as well. Delve deep into the background of Chang’s 2020 collection, "OBITS", and...
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Earth Presses Against Us by Mahmoud Darwish
Delve into the poetic world of Mahmoud Darwish on this week's episode of Words That Burn. Uncover the heart-wrenching narrative of "Earth Presses Against Us" from his 1986 anthology, "Fewer Roses." . Often considered to be Palestine's most important poet, Darwish's poetic expanse narrates the...
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Knives We Used On Our Skin
This week's episode is deep dive into the unflinching poetry of Irish poet, Molly Twomey. It looks at the complex layers of Twomey's poignant masterpiece, "Knives We Used on Our Skin". This compelling exploration of the turbulence of youth, nestled in the serenity of the Irish countryside…
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Love After Love by Derek Walcott
Dive into the realm of self-compassion and forgiveness in this episode of 'Words That Burn'. We delve deep into the transformative words of Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, particularly focusing on his acclaimed poem 'Love After Love'. Walcott's poetry shines a light on the intricate dynamics of…
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Midnight In The Foreign Food Aisle by Warsan Shire
When we are forced to leave a life behind, what price do we truly pay. This question is the one at the heart of Warsan Shire's poem Midnight In the Foreign Food Aisle. Join me as I delve into this incredible portrayal of her uncle. Warsan Shire can only be described as a poetry superstar, who has...
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Car Graveyard by Charles Simic
How can we make peace with an ending? Can we make peace with them at all. In this episode of Words That Burn, we'll be taking a closer look at the poetry of the late Charles Simic. The episode will focus on his poem Car Graveyard, a wonderful showcase of all the talents he possessed as a poet.…
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An Interview With Irish Poet Luke Morgan
I have a chat with Irish poet Luke Morgan about his latest collection Beast and all the themes of shape shifting and transformation that are in it. We talk about the ways we carve out identities and the various metaphors and coping mechanisms we develop to navigate that. Luke Morgan's poetry...
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Cotton Candy On A Rainy Day by Nikki Giovanni
Change is hard, it’s a well worn statement. It can be difficult for us personally to go through, it can be difficult for others to accept. Despite all that the hardest aspect of it may be when change fails to come and we are trapped in the same relentless situations. This poem, Cotton Candy On A...
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A Bronze God, or a Letter On Demand by Clifton Gachagua
What does it feel like when we burn for those we love? Do we burn more in their presence or in their absence? More importantly what is the line between love and worship? All these questions are tackled in Clifton Gachagua's A Bronze God, or a Letter On Demand. In it a speaker spills a monologue…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Words That Burn is a poetry podcast about how poems actually work.
Each episode takes a single poem and reads it closely, usually in about 20 minutes. That means the lines themselves first: the sound, the shape on the page, the images, the things left out. Then the life behind the poem, the historical moment it came from, and the technical choices that give the work its charge.
The aim is never to settle a poem's meaning but to show what it is doing, clearly enough that you can go back to the page and see it for yourself.
Poets covered include:
Audre Lorde, Raymond Carver, Mary Ruefle, Kaveh Akbar, Rowan Ricardo Phillips and Annemarie Ní Churreáin, alongside contemporary Irish collections as they appear.
Host Ben Collopy also talks to poets about their new books and their craft, including Mark Ward on Real Estate and Shannon Kuta Kelly. How a collection takes shape, what gets cut, and the decisions that never show up in the finished
HOSTED BY
Benjamin Collopy
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast have?
Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast currently has 96 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast about?
Words That Burn is a poetry podcast about how poems actually work. Each episode takes a single poem and reads it closely, usually in about 20 minutes. That means the lines themselves first: the sound, the shape on the page, the images, the things left out. Then the life behind the poem, the...
How often does Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast release new episodes?
Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast has 96 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast?
You can listen to Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast?
Words That Burn - Poetry Podcast is created and hosted by Benjamin Collopy.
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