Poetry Unbound
Books & Literature
About
Short and unhurried, Poetry Unbound is an immersive exploration of a single poem, hosted by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Pádraig Ó Tuama greets you at the doorways of brilliant poems and walks you through — each one has wisdom to offer and questions to ask you. Already a listener? There’s also a book (Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World), a Substack newsletter with a vibrant conversation in the comments, and occasional gatherings.
Episodes
- Poetry Unbound Bonus — Walter de la Mare
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama reflects on Walter de la Mare’s poem "The Listeners" and provides an update on the future of the Poetry Unbound podcast.
- Leonard Cohen — Book of Mercy “I,8”
This episode explores Leonard Cohen’s poem “I, 8” from the collection Book of Mercy, discussing its blend of narration, fiction, meditation, and prayer. The discussion examines the themes of falling from a high place and grace within this…
- Billy-Ray Belcourt — Subarctica
Poet Billy-Ray Belcourt discusses his poem “Subarctica” on this episode of Poetry Unbound. The conversation explores themes of place, memory, and perspective within the context of his work.
- Ruth Irupé Sanabria — Carne
In this episode, host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem "Carne" by Ruth Irupé Sanabria. The discussion focuses on the poem's detailed exploration of what the speaker consumes and the deeper hungers revealed in its final turn.
- Lena Khalaf Tuffaha — Dukka
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha discusses her poem "Dukka" on Poetry Unbound, exploring the theme of love as a form of defiance in times of danger and violence. Tuffaha and host Pádraig Ó Tuama examine how love manifests through generations and everyd…
- Rachel Mann — #TDOR
In this episode, poet and priest Rachel Mann discusses her poem “#TDOR,” which explores the complexities of marking Trans Day of Remembrance. The poem examines the language used in conversations surrounding the day and the impact of those…
- Sanah Ahsan — Ramadan’s Greeting
Poet Sanah Ahsan explores the experiences and contrasts of observing Ramadan in their poem, "Ramadan's Greeting." The episode delves into themes of light, abstinence, and community as part of the Poetry Unbound series.
- Kevin Hart — Prayer
In this episode, host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem "Prayer" by Kevin Hart, discussing its sensual language and themes of mystery and longing. The episode invites listeners to reflect on the poem's imagery and emotional depth.
- Harryette Mullen — LUVTOFU
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores Harryette Mullen’s poem "LVTOFU," discussing how it challenges traditional ideas about poetic structure and subject matter. The episode highlights Mullen's work as a poet and academic.
- Stewart Henderson — How To Speak Love In A Storm?
In this episode, Stewart Henderson’s poem "How To Speak Love In A Storm?" is explored as a reflection on providing support during times of crisis and personal pain. The discussion considers how the poem serves as a guide for accompanying o…
- Dante Micheaux — Theologies for Korah
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores Dante Micheaux's poem "Theologies for Korah," which examines religious imagery and themes through the lens of an infant's baptism. The episode discusses how historical and religious figures are reimagined as a…
- Oksana Maksymchuk — Arguments for Peace
In this episode, poet Oksana Maksymchuk discusses her poem 'Arguments for Peace', exploring the tension between the beauty of the world and the reality of conflict. The conversation reflects on the disbelief regarding war and the desire to…
- Armen Davoudian — Coming Out of the Shower
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem “Coming Out of the Shower” by Armen Davoudian, which captures a morning routine shared by a mother and son. The episode examines themes of rhythm, affection, and intimacy within a domestic space.
- Orlando Ricardo Menes — Grace
Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem "Grace" by Orlando Ricardo Menes, discussing the poet's unique perspective on the concept. The episode examines how the work attempts to demystify and remystify the nature of grace.
- Cyrus Cassells — Jasmine
This episode of Poetry Unbound explores Cyrus Cassells’s poem "Jasmine," which depicts late spring in Rome through sensory imagery and the story of a local neighbor. The show also highlights Cassells's career as a poet and educator.
- W.S. Merwin — For The Anniversary of My Death
This episode explores W.S. Merwin’s poem "For The Anniversary of My Death." The discussion examines the poem's reflection on mortality while emphasizing the importance of staying present in daily life.
- Kimblerly Blaeser - my journal records the vestiture of doppelgangers
In this episode of Poetry Unbound, poet Kimberly Blaeser discusses her poem “my journal records the vestiture of doppelgangers.” The poem highlights the wonders of the natural world through observations of wildlife and the importance of be…
- Poetry Unbound in Conversation — Marie Howe
Pádraig Ó Tuama talks with poet Marie Howe about her work, including the depiction of Mary Magdalene, themes of eternal energy, and her reflections on the Earth. The conversation was recorded for the 2025 Greenbelt Festival.
- Poetry Unbound in Conversation — Lorna Goodison
Poet Lorna Goodison discusses her modern Jamaican translation of Dante’s Inferno in this conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama. Recorded for the Greenbelt Festival, the episode features readings from her work and reflections on her creative pr…
- Denise Duhamel — How It Will End
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem "How It Will End" by Denise Duhamel, which examines the experience of witnessing a public argument between a couple. The discussion touches on why witnessing such disagreements can offer insight into…
- Fady Joudah — [...]
Palestinian-American poet and physician Fady Joudah discusses his poem "[...]," which explores human ambivalence regarding fear, desire, and liberty. This episode of Poetry Unbound examines the psychological density of his work and his bac…
- Benjamin Zephaniah — To Michael Menson
Poet Benjamin Zephaniah discusses his poem “To Michael Menson,” which explores the pursuit of justice for a murdered Black musician. He reflects on his time as a poet in residence for a human rights barrister in England.
- Carmen Giménez — Ars Poetica
This episode of Poetry Unbound features Carmen Giménez reading and discussing her poem "Ars Poetica." The conversation explores the themes within the poem and provides background on Giménez's work and career as a poet and publisher.
- Rick Barot — The Singing
In this episode of Poetry Unbound, Rick Barot discusses his poem "The Singing," which explores themes of unpredictability and control through a scene set in a car dealership waiting room. The discussion covers the inspiration behind the po…
- Diannely Antigua — Another Poem about God, but Really It’s about Me
Diannely Antigua discusses her poem, "Another Poem about God, but Really It’s about Me," and explores themes of identity, religious archetypes, and self-reflection. The discussion features insights from the poet on her work and background.
- Don McKay — Neanderthal Dig
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores Don McKay’s poem “Neanderthal Dig,” which reflects on the discovery of a child-sized skeleton placed on a swan's wing. The discussion examines the themes of love and death within the poem.
- Ernesto Cardenal — Give Ear to My Words (Psalm 5)
This episode features a reading and discussion of Ernesto Cardenal’s poem “Give Ear to My Words (Psalm 5),” translated by Jonathan Cohen. The poem explores the pursuit of peace and freedom in the face of political deception and conflict.
- Diego Báez — Inheritance
Diego Báez discusses his poem "Inheritance," which explores how the experience of time shifts for parents as they observe their children. The episode highlights Báez's perspectives on the intersection of memory and the passage of time.
- Danielle Chapman — Trespassing with Tweens
Poet Danielle Chapman discusses her poem "Trespassing with Tweens," which explores a shared moment of watching a great blue heron feed its offspring. The episode examines themes of observation, nature, and intergenerational connection.
- Richard Langston — Hill walk
In this episode, Richard Langston discusses his poem "Hill walk," which explores the small, varied moments and observations that move the human heart throughout a day. Langston also shares reflections on his career and his background as a…
- Robert Hayden — Those Winter Sundays
This episode of Poetry Unbound explores Robert Hayden’s poem “Those Winter Sundays,” reflecting on childhood memories of parental sacrifice, regret, and love. It also provides biographical context on Hayden’s career as the first Black Cons…
- Taylor Johnson — Pennsylvania Ave. SE
In this episode, Taylor Johnson discusses his poem “Pennsylvania Ave. SE,” which explores themes of youth, memory, and the desire to be seen and free. Johnson also shares his background as a poet from Washington, D.C.
- Kinsale Drake — Put on that KTNN
In this episode, poet Kinsale Drake shares her poem "Put on that KTNN," exploring themes of home, landscape, and the influence of a familiar radio station on her work. The discussion touches on her background as a Diné poet and the inspira…
- Poetry Unbound — Season 9 Trailer
The ninth season of Poetry Unbound with host Pádraig Ó Tuama premieres on December 2. The season will run weekly until March 3 and features poems by various authors including Robert Hayden, Kinsale Drake, and others.
- Closing: Poems as Teachers (ft. Kai Cheng Thom) | Ep 7
In this final episode of the "Poems as Teachers" miniseries, host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores Kai Cheng Thom’s poem "trauma is not sacred." The discussion focuses on how poems act as intuitive teachers regarding the human experience of confli…
- Yehuda Amichai — Poems as Teachers | Ep 6
This episode explores Yehuda Amichai’s poem "The Place Where We Are Right," translated by Stephen Mitchell, to examine the personal cost of needing to be right and the impact of conflict. It is part of the "Poems as Teachers" miniseries on…
- Jericho Brown — Poems as Teachers | Ep 5
In this episode of the "Poems as Teachers" miniseries, poet and professor Jericho Brown discusses his poem "Hebrews 13." He navigates the complexities of human relationships and the human condition as presented in his work.
- Mosab Abu Toha — Poems as Teachers | Ep 4
Mosab Abu Toha explores the themes of displacement and longing in his poem, “Ibrahim Abu Lughod and brother in Yaffa,” as part of the “Poems as Teachers” series. The episode examines memory and the human condition through the Palestinian p…
- Constantine P. Cavafy — Poems as Teachers | Ep 3
This episode of Poetry Unbound explores Constantine P. Cavafy’s poem "Waiting for the Barbarians," translated by Evan Jones. It is the third installment in the "Poems as Teachers" miniseries, focusing on themes of conflict and the human co…
- Joy Harjo — Poems as Teachers | Ep 2
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama explores Joy Harjo’s poem "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings." The episode discusses themes of conflict, humility, and justice through the work of the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States.
- Introducing: Poems as Teachers (ft. Wisława Szymborska) | Ep 1
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama introduces a new mini season of Poetry Unbound focused on poems about conflict and humanity. The episode features the poem "A Word on Statistics" by Wisława Szymborska, translated by Joanna Trzeciak.
- Thomas Lux — Refrigerator, 1957
This episode of Poetry Unbound explores the poem "Refrigerator, 1957" by American poet Thomas Lux. The discussion examines how the items found within a childhood refrigerator can serve as a reflection of home and memory.
- Rita Wong — flush
This episode of Poetry Unbound features the poem "flush" by Rita Wong, a praise song exploring the expansive role of water in daily life. Host Pádraig Ó Tuama reflects on the poem's themes of water's presence from the personal to the ecolo…
- Maria Dahvana Headley — Beowulf
Maria Dahvana Headley discusses her contemporary translation of Beowulf, exploring the relevance of the Old English epic's themes regarding power and family. This episode examines her unique approach to translating the classic text.
- Michael Klein — Swale
In this episode of Poetry Unbound, the poem "Swale" by Michael Klein is explored. The discussion touches on how this work finds joy and celebration in daily life, inspired by an unlikely subject: a 1980s horse race.
- Ray Young Bear — Our Bird Aegis
In this episode, Pádraig Ó Tuama explores the poem "Our Bird Aegis" by Meskwaki poet Ray Young Bear, discussing how the poem uses the imagery of an adolescent eagle to examine the physical and ancestral elements that constitute our identit…
- Suji Kwock Kim — Search Engine: Notes from the North Korean-Chinese-Russian Border
In this episode of Poetry Unbound, Suji Kwock Kim discusses her poem "Search Engine: Notes from the North Korean-Chinese-Russian Border." The episode explores the personal, emotional impacts of living in contested border regions.
- Amber McBride — ROLL CALL: NEW TAROT NAMES FOR BLACK GIRLS
Amber McBride reads her poem, ROLL CALL: NEW TAROT NAMES FOR BLACK GIRLS, on Poetry Unbound. The episode explores the poem's themes of reclaiming identity and language.
- Carl Dennis — Breath
This episode of Poetry Unbound features Carl Dennis reading and discussing his poem "Breath," which explores the significance and rhythm of human breathing. The episode also highlights Dennis's extensive career as a poet and essayist.
- Elisa Gonzalez — To My Twenty-Four-Year-Old Self
Poet and writer Elisa Gonzalez joins Poetry Unbound to discuss her poem, “To My Twenty-Four-Year-Old Self,” reflecting on the physical and emotional distances between our past and present selves.