797 episodes
The Daily Poem Goldberry Studios
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- Arts
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4.4 • 25 Ratings
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The Daily Poem offers one essential poem each weekday morning. From Shakespeare and John Donne to Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, The Daily Poem curates a broad and generous audio anthology of the best poetry ever written, read-aloud by David Kern and an assortment of various contributors. Some lite commentary is included and the shorter poems are often read twice, as time permits.
The Daily Poem is presented by Goldberry Studios.
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William Ernest Henley's "Invictus"
Today’s poem–benign anthem of the resilient human spirit or a hymn to radical autonomy?–has divided audiences for more than a century.
Born in Gloucester, England, poet, editor, and critic William Ernest Henley was educated at Crypt Grammar School, where he studied with the poet T.E. Brown, and the University of St. Andrews. His father was a struggling bookseller who died when Henley was a teenager. At age 12 Henley was diagnosed with tubercular arthritis that necessitated the amputation of one of his legs just below the knee; the other foot was saved only through a radical surgery performed by Joseph Lister. As he healed in the infirmary, Henley began to write poems, including “Invictus,” which concludes with the oft-referenced lines “I am the master of my fate; / I am the captain of my soul.” Henley’s poems often engage themes of inner strength and perseverance. His numerous collections of poetry include A Book of Verses (1888), London Voluntaries (1893), and Hawthorn and Lavender (1899).
Henley edited the Scots Observer (which later became the National Observer), through which he befriended writer Rudyard Kipling, and the Magazine of Art, in which he lauded the work of emerging artists James McNeill Whistler and Auguste Rodin. Henley was a close friend of Robert Louis Stevenson, who reportedly based his Long John Silver character in Treasure Island in part on Henley.
-bio via Poetry Foundation
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John Donne's "No Man Is an Island"
What do John Donne, Paul Simon, and AC/DC have in common? Today’s poem. Happy reading!
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Walt Whitman's "Pioneers! O Pioneers!"
Today it’s Whitman (and Dylan) on the march of progress.
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Wendell Berry's "The Plan"
Today’s poem imagines what you might do when you’re through paying taxes.
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Seamus Heaney's "A Basket of Chestnuts"
Today’s poem is an ekphrasis on a portrait of the poet himself–all that the portrait does and doesn’t capture or convey.
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Billy Collins' "Candle Hat"
Today’s poem is a lighter take on the self-portrait ekphrasis. What is it about the self-portrait that is so intriguing to poets, anyway?
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Customer Reviews
Revised opinion!
I’ve edited my review based on much more listening. I’m learning a lot of new poets through this podcast, which was precisely the point. I personally don’t listen to all of the commentary as that isn’t my primary interest, but I can see it would be useful to students of poetry. The presenter is very earnest which is quite endearing, as is his chatty style.
Enchanting and accessible
Short and sweet, this podcast has reminded me of the joys and wonders of poetry. David Kern does an excellent job of sourcing a wide variety of poems from a broad field of poets, narrating them beautifully, and adding insightful commentary and thematic ties. A podcast to be savoured and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of my morning
This podcast is definitely worth listening to! The variety of poets explored, as well as the insights given to the poems, is really helping to expand my knowledge and enjoyment of poetry.