Skip to content
PodcastsArtsThe Poetaster

The Poetaster

Andrew Smith
The Poetaster
Latest episode

39 episodes

  • The Poetaster

    On Rereading

    19/06/2026 | 19 mins.
    Despite outward appearances, Tim and Andy are not perfect. You read that right. They make mistakes, they miss nuance. But isn't that part of the point of poetry - that it contains multitudes? Good poems aren't crosswords; they're compositions that repay rereading.
    If you like what you hear, why not make a small donation to keep us going? Find out more at coff.ee/poetaster.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Poetaster

    Christina Rossetti, "LEL"

    12/06/2026 | 21 mins.
    Tim and Andrew take a look at a poem by one of the great Victorian poets Christina Rossetti, who is paying tribute not only to LEL but also to Elizabeth Barrett Browning in a sad but possibly hopeful (??) description of a heartbroken woman.
    If you like what you hear, why not make a small donation to keep us going? Find out more at coff.ee/poetaster.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Poetaster

    Richard Wilbur, "Hamlen Brook"

    04/06/2026 | 16 mins.
    There's nothing Andrew likes more than a good nature poem, so Tim indulges him with "Hamlen Brook" by former American Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur. A lovely little celebration of the natural world with debts to Wordsworth, Clare, the metaphysical poets and possibly a touch of Henry Thoreau as well.
    If you like what you hear, why not make a small donation to keep us going? Find out more at coff.ee/poetaster.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Poetaster

    John Ormond, "Cathedral Builders"

    28/05/2026 | 17 mins.
    Tim and Andrew discuss what it takes to build a cathedral; who does the building; where our humanity comes from; and why a cathedral is not like AI.
    If you like what you hear, why not make a small donation to keep us going? Find out more at coff.ee/poetaster.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Poetaster

    Lauris Edmond, "Waterfall"

    21/05/2026 | 13 mins.
    Tim and Andrew consider the way love changes over the years, from youthful passion to aged tolerance and kindness, and how the special moments of one's life are like drops of water backlit by sunlight.
    If you like what you hear, why not make a small donation to keep us going? Find out more at coff.ee/poetaster.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More Arts podcasts
About The Poetaster
Ever wanted to find out a bit more about poetry but didn't know where to begin? Ever wanted to be able to talk about a poem without actually having to study it? Hosts Dr Andrew Smith and Dr Tim McKenzie provide tasting notes to some of their favourite poems and talk about how they work, and why they're worth reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast website

Listen to The Poetaster, ill-advised by Bill Nighy and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
The Poetaster: Podcasts in Family