Words That Burn

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. So for the start of 2025, this episode focusing Snowdrops by Louise Glück, a Nobel Prize-winning poet whose work captures the delicate balance of grief, resilience, and renewal. The snowdrop, a fragile yet tenacious bloom of winter, serves as the perfect metaphor for this reflective time of year. Glück's poem speaks to survival, transformation, and the quiet strength required to embrace a new beginning—even amid life's harshest winters. Join me as I unpack Glück’s masterful use of nature as allegory, her stark yet hopeful language, and the universal human experience reflected in her verse. This episode is a poignant reminder that growth often emerges from hardship and that taking time to rest, like the snowdrop buried in the earth, is an essential part of resilience. As we step into 2025, let this poem inspire you to embrace not a blank slate but a continuation—an opportunity to thrive in the raw winds of a new world. Tune in for an insightful and hopeful start to the year. And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—get in touch via email or on social media. Happy New Year, and thank you for being part of the Words That Burn journey. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts 00:47 Welcome to Words That Burn 01:19 Louise Gluck and Her Poetic Voice 02:23 Themes and Techniques in Gluck's Poetry 04:48 Analysis of 'Snowdrops' - First Stanza 08:40 Analysis of 'Snowdrops' - Second Stanza 11:03 Human Resilience and Renewal 14:52 Final Thoughts and Reflections 17:17 Thank You Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack [https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsthatburn/p/snowdrops-by-louise-gluck?r=th4eb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Follow the Podcast On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wordsthatburnpodcast/] Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/wordsthatburn] Follow the Podcast on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatburn2?lang=en] Follow the podcast on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/wordsthatburn.bsky.social] The Music In This Week's Episode: 'At The End Of All Things' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 themes, and Dietz's ability to gild the everyday moments of a bleak month. I'll zone in on how the poem encapsulates the transition from the vibrant October to the cold, harsh November, examining Dietz's unique rhyme scheme, her descriptive prowess, and the cyclical nature of the seasons. Tune in for an enriching examination of how humanity and nature mirror each other in the face of winter's arrival. 00:00 November by Maggie Dietz Poetry Reading 01:17 Welcome to Words That Burn 01:29 October's Splendour and Transition to November 03:11 Maggie Dietz's Poetic Style 05:23 Analysing the Poem's Imagery and Themes 10:19 The Colloquial Voice and Natural Imagery 15:39 The Subtle Rhyme Scheme 18:03 Humanity's Winter Retreat 20:31 Final Reflections on November 23:49 Conclusion Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack [https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsthatburn/p/november-by-maggie-dietz?r=th4eb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Follow the Podcast On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wordsthatburnpodcast/] Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/wordsthatburn] Follow the Podcast on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatburn2?lang=en] The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Midvinter' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Donation Link:  Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.ipsc.ie/support/donate [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 delve into Refaat Alareer's , his tragic death in an Israeli airstrike, and the prophetic nature of his poetry. The episode also touches on the symbolic significance of kites in Gaza as emblems of hope and resistance. Alareer's commitment to amplifying Palestinian voices in English and promoting messages of endurance through art is thoroughly examined. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging donations and ongoing support for Palestinian literature and the Palestinian struggle. 00:00 A Poetic Legacy: Introduction to Refaat Alareer 01:18 The Life and Mission of Refaat Alareer 02:09 A Tragic End and a Prophetic Poem 04:04 The Global Impact of 'If I Must Die' 05:42 Refaat Alareer's Commitment to the Palestinian Cause 09:19 Symbols of Hope in Alareer's Work 11:26 The Kite: A Symbol of Resistance 13:28 Refat Alirear's Defiance and Message of Peace 14:47 The Poem's Collective Story of Survival 16:23 Call to Action and Closing Remarks Listen to more Palestinian poetry: Listen to the Episode on Mahmoud Darwish [https://shows.acast.com/words-that-burn/episodes/earth-presses-against-us-by-mahmoud-darwish] Listen to the Episode on Fadwa Tuqan [https://shows.acast.com/words-that-burn/episodes/the-deluge-and-the-tree-by-fadwa-tuqan] Listen to the Episode on Najwan Darwish [https://shows.acast.com/words-that-burn/episodes/nothing-more-to-lose-by-najwan-darwish] Listen to the Episode on Noor Hindi [https://shows.acast.com/words-that-burn/episodes/fuck-your-lecture-on-craft-my-people-are-dying-by-noor-hindi] Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack [https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsthatburn/p/if-i-must-die-by-refaat-alareer?r=th4eb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Follow the Podcast On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wordsthatburnpodcast/] Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/wordsthatburn] Follow the Podcast on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatburn2?lang=en] The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Within Our Nature' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 prompts reflection on humanity's place in nature. The discussion touches on her careful observation and meditation-like practices in nature. The analysis focuses on the poem's compelling opening line on mortality, its invocation of Biblical imagery, and its ultimate message urging deliberate attention to life and nature. The episode also emphasises the importance of reconnecting with one’s surroundings for a fulfilling life. * [00:00] Introduction and Blossom Poem * [00:50] Struggling with Poetry * [01:19] Discovering 'Blossom' by Kathleen Jamie * [01:47] Kathleen Jamie's Writing Style * [04:02] Existential Themes in 'Blossom' * [04:19] Analysing the First Stanza * [06:53] Analysing the Second Stanza * [10:11] Biblical Allusions and Final Stanza * [14:13] Final Thoughts on 'Blossom' * [15:33] Engage with Words That Burn * [15:45] Contact and Support Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack [https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsthatburn/p/blossom-by-kathleen-jamie?r=th4eb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Follow the Podcast On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wordsthatburnpodcast/] Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/wordsthatburn] Follow the Podcast on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatburn2?lang=en] The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Reawakening' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 themes of memory, mortality, art, and the intricate processes behind poetry writing. McKendrick shares insights into his fascination with etching, his (sometimes) laborious poetry process, and the interplay of ancient mythology with modern life. The episode also touches on broader themes like the nature of borders, the role of poetry in contemporary times, and the ecological concerns reflected in his work. * [00:00] Introduction to the Interview * [00:47] The Art of Etching and Poetry * [03:52] Themes of Memory and Mortality * [05:37] Crafting Poetry: Process and Criticism * [12:08] Intertextuality and Influences * [27:04] Liverpool's Influence and Historical Context * [30:17] Exploring Borders and Ownership * [34:44] Nature and Mythology in Poetry * [38:15] Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you enjoyed this interview, or know someone who might, please consider sending it to them directly or leaving me a review wherever you listen. Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack [https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsthatburn/p/an-interview-with-jamie-mckendrick?r=th4eb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Follow the Podcast On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wordsthatburnpodcast/] Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/wordsthatburn] Follow the Podcast on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatburn2?lang=en] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.