Beyond the Verse

On today's episode of Beyond the Verse, a poetry podcast brought to you by PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Maiya and Joe dive into the ancient Greek poet Sappho's Fragment 16, commonly referred to as the Anactoria poem. To complete the podcast, get the PDF Resources for this poem, created by the team at PoemAnalysis.com:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printablewith optional Meter includedwith option Rhyme Scheme includedwith both Meter and Rhyme included Sappho PDF ResourceThis poem highlights various themes including the interplay of love and warfare, the significance of the poem's fragmented nature, and allusions to the story of Helen of Troy. Joe provides historical context on Sappho's life and the era she lived in (around 600 BCE in Lesbos), emphasizing her legacy in LGBTQ+ literature. They explore how Sappho's fragmented biography and extant works influence contemporary interpretations, noting the use of regular four-line stanzas and the voice of beauty and love.The hosts analyse the first stanza of the poem, focusing on Sappho's contrarian tone and her distinct voice against the male-dominated tradition of the time. They discuss the implications of female agency, the poem's commentary on the consequences of choice, the enduring impact of Sappho's work on modern literature. The discussion also touches on controversial reinterpretations by male poets like Swinburne and Lowell, exploring how they often reduce Sappho to a mere sexualised figure. Ending on a discussion of Sappho's evolving legacy and her impact on later literary traditions, the hosts invite listeners to continue the conversation and look forward to discussing Rudyard Kipling's 'If—' in the next episode.Send us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

This week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, sees Joe and Maiya answering questions from Poetry+ members about all things poetry.To send in questions to the Beyond the Verse podcast, you can sign up to Poetry+ and email beyondtheverse@poemanalysis.com.From a behind the scenes discussion of how they approach analysing and breaking down poems - to Joe and Maiya's goals to emphasise diverse poet selections and meaningful conversations - the hosts explore what is means to be part of the cultural conversation. They touch on how poetic movements form and whether poets need to belong to them, the significance of movements such as the Romantics, Imagists, and more, before delving into a the historical context and current understanding of spoken word poetry.Including a fascinating conversation 'behind the veil' of the poetic canon, the hosts talk candidly on the role of awards and finances in the poetry world, the influence and value of critics, and overcoming writer's block. They also debate the (hotly contested) stereotype of the 'sad, lonely poet' versus the reality of what it means to write and be read by millions.Tune in and Discover:How the podcast is created, and what drives the hosts' conversationsThe impact and importance of poetic movementsSpoken word poetry and the canon's dismissal of it in the modern dayWhether awards are importantThe stereotypes given to poets across the globe and much more! Send us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem ‘dear white america’ by Danez Smith, a powerful piece by one of the most influential contemporary poets.They discuss ‘dear white america’ (2017), examining not only the systemic injustices and racial trauma addressed in the poem, but also the cultural and personal dimensions that shape Smith’s work. Joe and Maiya delve into Smith’s literary influences, the impact of spoken word on their poetry, and their significant role in the modern American literary canon.Get PDFs on ‘dear white america’ exclusive to Poetry+ users:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFFor more information on Smith and their work, check out poemanaylsis.com, where you can find a vast selection of analyzed poems, with PDFs to aid, and explorations in our extensive PDF Learning Library - see our Danez Smith PDF Guide.Plus, stay tuned to get some recommendations for alternate poets inspired by Smith’s work!Tune in and Discover:Smith’s position in the canon and role in modern American literatureKey themes throughout ‘dear white america’ and the poet’s other worksSmith’s background and poetic influencesThe significance of the epistolary form, incarceration, and historical context in the poemSend us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem 'Digging' by Seamus Heaney, a poem from one of the most revered Irish poets of all time.They discuss 'Digging' (1966), exploring not only the cultural inheritances imbued in the poem, but the physical manifestations of labour, as well as how nature and literature interact in the poem. Joe and Maiya discuss Heaney's literary forefathers and incredible legacy in both the Irish and English canon.Get PDFs on 'Digging' exclusive to Poetry+ users:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFFor more information on Heaney and his work, check out poemanaylsis.com, where you can find a huge selection of analysed poems, with PDFs to aid, and explorations in our extensive PDF Learning Library - see our Seamus Heaney PDF Guide.Plus, stay tuned to get some recommendations for alternate poets that have been inspired by Heaney's work!Tune in and Discover:Heaney's position in the canon and role in Irish poetic traditionKey themes throughout 'Digging' and the poet's other workHeaney's childhood and poetic influencesThe significance of the spade, the pen, and the gunSend us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost, and its induction into the social sphere as a poem that is so often misquoted.They discuss 'The Road Not Taken' (1915), exploring the public's misinterpretation of the poem, the American pastoral tradition and how it moves forward into the future, as well as Frost's position in the American canon. Joe and Maiya discuss Frost's enduring influence and transformation into one of modern times' most revered poets.Get PDFs on 'The Road Not Taken' exclusive to Poetry+ users:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDFWith Rhyme SchemeWith Meter SyllablesWith both Rhyme and MeterFor more information on Frost and his work, check out poemanaylsis.com, where you can find a huge selection of analysed poems, with PDFs to aid, and explorations in our extensive PDF Learning Library - see our Robert Frost PDF Guide!Plus, stay tuned to get some recommendations for alternate poets that have been inspired by Frost's work!Tune in and Discover:Frost's position in the canon and role in American poetic traditionKey themes throughout 'The Road Not Taken' and the poet's other workFriends and influences of FrostThe Great American pastoral traditionSend us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

'You may write me down in history / with your bitter, twisted lies. / You may trod me in the very dirt. / But still, like dust, I'll rise.'  In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the monumental career and work of Maya Angelou, commemorating 10 years since her passing.In this episode, they discuss 'Still I Rise' (1978), exploring themes such as the recycling and remaking of Black history, colonial erasure, violence, and the relationship between personal suffering and then collective suffering. Joe and Maiya discuss Maya Angelou's enduring influence and transformation into one of modern times' most revered poets. Get exclusive PDFs on ‘Still I Rise’ available to Poetry+ users:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFFor more insights into Angelou’s poetry, visit PoemAnalysis.com, where you can explore a wide range of analyzed poems, with thousands of PDFs, resources in our extensive PDF Learning Library, and more - see our Maya Angelou PDF Guide.From humble beginnings, Angelou's legacy spans the decades, with achievements that include: not one (but seven!) autobiographies, two service achievements on Presidentially-appointed equality commissions, a reading at Clinton's 1993 inauguration, not to mention her fourteen collections of poetry, two cookbooks, seven children's books, and seven plays. For more information on Angelou and her work, check out poemanaylsis.com, where you can find a huge selection of analysed poems, with PDFs to aid, and explorations in our extensive PDF Learning Library - see our Maya Angelou PDF Guide! Plus, stay tuned to discover which modern day hip-hop and rap artists credit Maya Angelou's poem 'Still I Rise' in their own work!Tune in and Discover:Angelou's personal history Key themes throughout 'Still I Rise' and the poet's other workMotifs that bring Black History to the forefront of the workMaya Angelou's influences in the literary canonModern pop culture callbacks to her work As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.Send us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+. In this first episode, Joe and Maiya share their personal paths to poetry, revealing how influential teachers and early literary successes sparked their enduring love for the art form. They discuss their academic backgrounds in English literature and how their experiences have shaped their understanding and appreciation of poetry.Get answers from questions submitted Poetry+ subscribers. Joe and Maiya delve into the importance of studying poetry beyond artistic appreciation, exploring how poetry serves as a cultural artifact that reflects historical, social, and political changes. As they discuss their favorite poets and influential works, listeners get a glimpse into the diverse voices that have shaped Joe and Maya’s literary tastes. From classic poets like Emily Brontë (Poems/PDF Guide) and Federico García Lorca (Poems/PDF Guide) to contemporary voices like Ocean Vuong and Danez Smith (Poems), the hosts highlight the enduring impact of these poets on their lives and work.Joe and Maiya also address the evolution of poetry in the digital age, considering how social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made poetry more accessible and popular among younger audiences. They reflect on the balance between short-form and long-form poetry, acknowledging the benefits of both in engaging modern readers.Tune in and Discover:Personal stories of discovering poetry and the impact of inspirational teachers.The role of poetry in understanding cultural and historical contexts.Tips for writing effective GCSE essays and making poetry relevant in education.Favorite poets and influential works that have shaped Joe and Maiya’s literary journeys.The intersection of poetry and social media in the 21st century.and much more! Send us Fan MailSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.