Poetry Off the Shelf Poetry Foundation

I am impressed by the care and attention that goes into creating this podcast. I am impressed each time by the thoughtful and insightful questions that are asked. One receives a beautifully executed glimpse of the poet’s life, mind, and heart due to a most talented and sensitive interviewer. The questions, choices of focus, her voice and music creates an unusual and moving experience each time.

I understand that this show captures the current popular inclinations in poetry. But I find the poems and discussions in most episodes uninteresting. This show is a reminder that modern poetry is a direct progeny of the 1960’s counterculture. I wish they would at least focus their discussions more on the technical aspects of the poetry rather than the social issues that the authors may be preoccupied by.

This is one of the best poetry podcasts (I’ve listened to too many). The guests write vibrant poetry across a range of styles. The host,Helena de Groot, skillfully draws her guests into conversation, asking interesting questions. She creates a warm comfortable space to enjoy poetry and the creative process of writing it.

This is celebration of poets & poetry — not critical analysis.