Poems of World War I
Belfast poet Michael Longley talks with Olivia O'Leary about his World War I poetry, which was inspired by his father's experience.
Michael Longley is Northern Ireland's most eminent contemporary poet, described by Seamus Heaney as 'a keeper of the artistic estate, a custodian of griefs and wonders.' He has devoted a lifetime to the art of poetry and has won numerous poetry prizes.
In the second episode of this series of The Essay, he talks with Olivia O'Leary about his World War I poems, many of which were inspired by his own father's experience of having fought in the war, although he rarely talked about it. Michael's poems link the Great War and the Northern Ireland Troubles.
He reads his poems Citation, Harmonica, The Sonnets and Wounds from the collection Ash Keys: New Selected Poems (Cape Poetry), published to mark his 85th birthday on 27th July 2024.
Presenter: Olivia O'Leary
Producer: Claire Cunningham
Executive Producer: Regan Hutchins
Michael Longley's Life of Poetry is a Rockfinch production for 大象传媒 Radio 3.
Last on
Broadcast
- Tue 9 Jul 2024 21:45大象传媒 Radio 3
Death in Trieste
A 1760s murder still informs ideas about aesthetics, a certain sort of sex, and death.
Watch: My Deaf World
Five compelling experiences of what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain.
The Book that Changed Me
Five figures from the arts and science introduce books that changed their lives and work.
Download The Essay
Download all the episodes from the series and listen at your leisure.
Podcast
-
![]()
The Essay
Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
