Words That Burn

Benjamin Collopy

Are you curious about poetry but find it a bit intimidating? Tune into Words that Burn, the podcast that aims to demystify poetry, one captivating poem at a time. Hosted by Ben, an Irish poetry enthusiast, this podcast takes a closer look at the world of poetic expression and technique. Each episode offers a comprehensive analysis of a selected poem, exploring the poet's biography, the cultural and historical backdrop, and the literary techniques that make these works profoundly moving. Whether you're a seasoned poetry aficionado or a curious beginner, Words that Burn provides an engaging and approachable way to enhance your appreciation and understanding of poetry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Deconstruction by Mary Ruefle

    May 26

    Deconstruction by Mary Ruefle

    Welcome back to Words That Burn, the podcast taking a closer look at poetry. In this episode, host Benjamin Collopy offers a close reading of Mary Ruefle’s four-line masterpiece, “Deconstruction.” This brief but devastating poem masterfully bridges ancient myth with the unbearable weight of modern existence. Benjamin situates Ruefle as a master storyteller and meticulous "sentence maker," breaking down how four short lines can bend time, space, and human memory. In This Episode, We Explore:The Sirens & The Metatextual Turn: How Ruefle uses Homer’s The Odyssey to force us to look inward. The poem presents a brilliant metatextual idea: that the Sirens actually sang The Odyssey itself, seducing listeners with the terrible, irresistible story of their own lives. We explore how the poem’s subtle shift from “I” to “we” invites shared introspection about how we remember, retell, and mythologise ourselves.Erasure vs. Found Poetry: Using Ruefle's own remarks, we distinguish her specific practice of erasure (or blackout) poetry from standard found poetry, highlighting the intent and precision required to carve a poem out of an existing text.Erasure as Survival: We connect "Deconstruction" to Ruefle’s broader lectures on reading, memory, and survival. Discover why picking apart existing texts isn't just an artistic choice, but a vital coping mechanism for processing life’s overwhelming excess. Mary Ruefle's Erasure Notebooks Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Memories Of Stone' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Time Stamps: 00:00 Sirens and Self Story 00:27 Why This Poem 01:28 Mary Ruefle's Style 03:02 Erasure Poetry Explained 04:53 Reading the Poem 05:43 Metatext and Reading 06:50 Sirens in The Odyssey 08:21 Erasure as Survival 11:22 Title Does the Work 12:47 Why It Stays With Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  2. Shannon Kuta Kelly on Liminal Spaces, Folklore, and Her Debut Collection The Tree is Missing

    Mar 25

    Shannon Kuta Kelly on Liminal Spaces, Folklore, and Her Debut Collection The Tree is Missing

    In this episode of Words That Burn, I sit down with poet Shannon Kuta Kelly to explore the beautifully haunting landscapes of her debut poetry collection, The Tree is Missing (coming this April from Faber and Faber). Shannon’s work has been featured in the New England Review, Poetry Ireland Review, and The Irish Times. As a PhD graduate from the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast and a 2025 Ciaran Carson Fellow, she brings a profound depth of knowledge and intuition to her craft. We discuss the tension between the past and present, the eerie realities of urbanisation, and how transient living shapes our identities. This episode explores: The Meaning of "The Tree is Missing": Unpacking the symbolic, ecological, and geographical resonances behind the collection's title.Liminality and Urban Sprawl: How manmade borders, transient city living, and the meeting point between nature and concrete influence her writing.History’s Phantom Limbs: Grounding the tragic, echoing histories of places like Tarnów, Poland, through human-centric storytelling and everyday images.Folklore and Dream Logic: Why poetry and myth are a "match made in heaven," and how Shannon taps into our shared subconscious and collective symbols.An Exclusive Reading: Shannon treats us to a reading of her poignant poem, Gost, and discusses the linguistic overlap between "ghosts" and "guests." Whether you are a writer looking for advice on peeling back the layers of your own poetry or a reader fascinated by the intersection of myth and reality, Shannon’s insights are not to be missed. Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:05 Why The Tree Is Missing 02:25 Borders Urban Sprawl Erasure 03:33 Liminal Life and POV Shifts 04:49 Observing Strangers and Details 06:00 From Reality to Spare Images 08:43 Tarnov and Haunted History 12:44 Storytelling Women and Three Sisters 15:20 Poetic Truth and Let It Be August 16:58 Endings Claustrophobia and Book Shape 19:58 Editing Influences and Breathing Space 22:28 Decay in Pastoral Scenes 24:56 Folklore and Poetic Logic 26:48 Two Brothers Divided 29:31 Nostalgia and Lost Homes 32:11 Dream Time Symbols 34:45 How Poems Are Collected 36:07 Gost Guests and Ghosts 39:50 Refrain and Repetition 42:05 Advice for other poets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  3. Oidhreacht by Louis De Paor

    Mar 14

    Oidhreacht by Louis De Paor

    Celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge with a closer look at "Oidhreacht" (Heredity), a powerful piece by Irish poet and Gaeilgeoir, Louis De Paor. In this episode of Words That Burn, we explore the complex psychogeography of Ireland and the tension between holding onto the past and embracing the future of the Irish language. Discover how De Paor captures generational trauma and linguistic lineage through striking metaphors, from an ancient, shouting Ogham stone to a snarled tooth that evokes the myth of the Salmon of Knowledge (Bradán Feasa). We also unpack the cultural tug-of-war that helped shape modern Gaeilge, highlighting how the modernization of the language is not a betrayal, but a necessity. This episode takes a loot at: An in-depth analysis of the poem "Oidhreacht" (Heredity) and its exploration of Irish identity and guilt.The history of Innti, a radical 1970s literary journal that brought beat poetry techniques to Irish language literature.The historic clash between "old school" Nativists seeking to preserve a pure, pastoral form of Gaeilge and the progressive movement striving for modern European influence.How De Paor expertly weaves the folklore of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge into his modern reflections. Theo Dorgan Essay Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Memories Of Stone' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  4. Coping by Audre Lorde

    Feb 17

    Coping by Audre Lorde

    Does the constant barrage of global news make you want to turn off the screens and bury your head? You aren’t alone. In a world that feels like a "round puddle of sunless water," how do we keep going? In this episode of Words That Burn, I analyse Audre Lorde’s powerful poem, "Coping." Written by the self-described "Black lesbian mother warrior poet," this piece from The Black Unicorn collection offers a vital lesson on resilience, parenting as revolution, and the refusal to drown easily. We explore Lorde’s legacy as a "bridge builder" and how her seminal philosophies, including The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master's House; inform this seemingly simple image of a boy bailing rainwater from a garden. In this episode, I cover: The Poem: A line-by-line analysis of "Coping" and its biblical vs. humanist metaphors.The Context: How Lorde’s travels to Benin and her experience with motherhood shaped her activism.The Philosophy: Understanding the "architecture of difference" and intersectionality.The Takeaway: Why preserving "young seeds" is crucial for the future of society. If you are feeling the weight of the world, let Audre Lorde’s words be the spark you need to keep doing the work. Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Penumbra' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  5. The Solstice by W.S. Merwin

    12/18/2025

    The Solstice by W.S. Merwin

    In the final episode of Words That Burn for 2025, we turn our attention to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the American poet who captured its delicate balance of darkness and light: W.S. Merwin. This episode's poem "The Solstice," a work of minimalist verse that explores the intersection of nature, personal vulnerability, and the cyclical nature of time. This episode traces Merwin’s evolution from a rigid formalist to an experimental voice for environmental activism. It looks at how the poet was heavily influenced by the Vietnam War and the ecological fragility of his adopted home in Hawaii. As we close out a difficult year marked by global conflict and uncertainty, this episode asks: How do we find hope when the days seem at their darkest? Merwin’s work reminds us that even when the sun goes away, it always comes back. Topics Explored: W.S. Merwin’s Evolution: From the classical influence of W.H. Auden to the stark, grounded style of The Lice.Ecopoetry & Activism: How the Vietnam War and the destruction of Hawaiian flora (like the ʻōhiʻas and honeycreepers) radicalised Merwin’s work.Poetic Analysis: Deconstructing the structure of "The Solstice" and how its shrinking stanzas mimic the dwindling daylight of December 21st. Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Penumbra' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  6. An Interview with Irish Poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach

    12/08/2025

    An Interview with Irish Poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach

    In this episode of Words That Burn, I'm joined by Irish poet Clíodhna Bhreatnach to discuss her debut pamphlet, Pink Roses and Green. Together, we chat about a collection that sits at the intersection of the "nine-to-five grind," Millennial burnout, and a deep, tactile longing for the natural world. Clíodhna breaks down her unique approach to the "Millennial Lyric"; moving away from the pastoral and into the office kitchenette. We discuss how she navigates the Post-Celtic Tiger landscape, using poetry to document the deformation of human time under late-stage capitalism. We cover other topics like: The Romantic Office: Applying the philosophy of Keats and Wordsworth to photocopiers and Excel spreadsheets.Digital Intimacy: Finding beauty in the "randomised screensavers" of Windows desktops.The "Sick Addiction to Soft Things": Why tactile textures (paper, nature) are vital in a digital world.Writers Groups: The importance of community (specifically the Frustrated Writers Group) in banishing impostor syndrome.References & Recommendations:Bandit Country by James Conor PattersonUnstoppable Utopia by Cassandra MossThe Perfect Season by Sean PearsonThe Lover's Discourse by Anahid Nersessian (Criticism on Keats) About the poet: Clíodhna Bhreatnach is from Waterford and lives in Dublin. Her poems have appeared in Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, and The Forward Book of Poetry 2023. She has recently been awarded a Dublin City Council Arts Bursary for 2025. She is the former poetry editor of Frustrated Writers Group. Find the book and the poet: https://cliodhnabhreatnach.com https://greenbottlepress.com/product/pink-roses-green-by-cliodhna-bhreatnach/ Follow the Podcast: Read the Interview on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  7. This Living Hand by John Keats

    10/29/2025

    This Living Hand by John Keats

    For Halloween 2025, Words That Burn resurrects one of the most chilling poems in English literature: "This Living Hand" by John Keats. This short, macabre poem wasn't published until 77 years after Keats's death, making it feel like a genuine message from beyond the grave. In this special episode, we explore the poem's dark, gothic imagery and the terrifying "strange bargain" it offers the reader. We dissect its uncanny duality, its sense of dread, and the horrifying biographical context of Keats's final days; a "posthumous existence" of body horror that forged this masterpiece. I look at the poem's vampiric mechanism and Keats's desperate plea, not only for a transfusion of life, but for the artistic immortality he feared he'd never achieve. This episode covers: The dark history of Keats's "This Living Hand."How Keats's embrace of darkness ("the burden of mystery") set him apart from other Romantic poets.A close reading of the poem's body horror, from "earnest grasping" to the "icy silence of the tomb."The link between Keats's final, agonising days and the poem's "vampiric" plea for life.Why this poem is a perfect, terrifying read for the Halloween season. Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Soul Searcher' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  8. Rain by Raymond Carver

    09/11/2025

    Rain by Raymond Carver

    Ever woken up to rain and felt the urge to stay in bed all day? On this episode of Words That Burn "Rain" by Raymond Carver. This is a poem that seems ideally suited to September, exploring that universal feeling of surrendering to the weather and the comfort of your own bed. Over the course of the episode I'll explore how Carver, a titan of the American short story, applies his signature "dirty realism" and sparse prose to his first love: poetry. We'll break down "Rain" stanza by stanza, examining the masterful techniques like enjambment and a staccato rhythm that turn a simple scene into a profound meditation on life. To truly understand this poem, you have to understand the man. I look back into Raymond Carver's difficult life; his blue-collar struggles, his battle with alcoholism, and the cancer diagnosis that shaped his final years. Discover how his personal tragedies fuel the poem's stunning final lines about "unforgivable mistakes" and the resolute desire to live it all again. In this episode, you will learn about: Raymond Carver's poetic style: How his minimalist approach in short stories translates to his poetry.Literary Analysis of "Rain": A line-by-line breakdown of imagery, structure, and rhythm.The Power of Immediacy: How Carver uses techniques like pronoun omission to pull you directly into the experience.Roland Barthes' "Punctum": We apply this photographic theory to understand how Carver creates moments of startling emotional impact that "puncture" the ordinary.The Link Between Carver's Life and Art: How understanding his biography is essential to interpreting his work on regret, mortality, and acceptance. 00:00 Poetry Reading 00:36 Introduction to Words That Burn 01:47 Exploring Raymond Carver's Poetry 02:59 Carver's Writing Style and Techniques 03:46 The Struggles and Inspirations of Raymond Carver 05:08 Analysing 'Rain' by Raymond Carver 15:32 The Impact of Carver's Life on His Poetry 19:25 Final Thoughts Follow the Podcast: Read the Script on Substack Follow the Podcast On Instagram Follow the Podcast on X/Twitter Follow the Podcast on Tiktok Follow the podcast on Bluesky The Music In This Week's Episode: 'Incredulity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
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About

Are you curious about poetry but find it a bit intimidating? Tune into Words that Burn, the podcast that aims to demystify poetry, one captivating poem at a time. Hosted by Ben, an Irish poetry enthusiast, this podcast takes a closer look at the world of poetic expression and technique. Each episode offers a comprehensive analysis of a selected poem, exploring the poet's biography, the cultural and historical backdrop, and the literary techniques that make these works profoundly moving. Whether you're a seasoned poetry aficionado or a curious beginner, Words that Burn provides an engaging and approachable way to enhance your appreciation and understanding of poetry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Benjamin Collopy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Benjamin Collopy
  • Show Website
    Words That Burn

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