Explore Poetry
Not sure where to start? Who to listen to? What to read? The links below will help you - simply search below using names or key words to explore all our poetry recordings, texts, interviews and a huge range of other materials.
Search & Filter
497 results
Sort by:
Poet
Poet
Connie Bensley
B. 1929
She has the comic's knack of placing a lot of weight on thin-shouldered words, words blurred by common currency which are suddenly brought into sharp focus and don't really want to be. Beyond the laughs there's great poignancy - Observer
Poet
Poet
Malika Ndlovu
B. 1971
We are born to bring light / To honour the blessing of each moment / The gift of every life - Malika Ndlovu
Poet
Poet
Anthony Howell
B. 1945
a talent for avoiding the predictable and deconstructing the recognisable - Stride
Poet
Poet
Gerard Benson
B. 1931 D. 2014
Gerard Benson's poetry transfigures the ordinary and leaves an aftertaste of mystery in the mind.Michael Glover, The Independent
Poet
Algernon Swinburne
B. 1837 D. 1909
In a coign of the cliff between lowland and highland, at the sea-down's edge between windward and lee, walled round with rocks as an inland island, the ghost of a garden fronts the sea. - Algernon Swinburne 'A Forsaken Garden'
Poet
Walter Scott
B. 1771 D. 1832
The owl from the steeple sing, 'Welcome, proud lady.' - Walter Scott 'Proud Maisie'
Poet
Colette Bryce
B. 1970
Bryce's phrasing is precise, her word-play sensuous, smart and snappy. The Guardian.
Poet
Ben Jonson
B. 1572 D. 1637
Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine. - Ben Jonson 'Song To Celia'