The Daily Poem
Goldberry Studios
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. dailypoempod.substack.com
The Daily Poem is presented by Goldberry Studios. dailypoempod.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 19, 2025 • 3min
Phineas Fletcher's "A Litany"
Today’s poem is a short meditation on grief made enduringly-famous after Orlando Gibbons set it to music. You can hear an arrangement of that piece here. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 17, 2025 • 6min
Richard Wilbur's "The Writer"
Today’s poem goes out to 6-year-od girls and their dads. Happy reading! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 15, 2025 • 5min
Alfred Tennyson's "In Memoriam..." 1-3
In today’s poem, a young Tennyson begins the long wrestling with grief. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 12, 2025 • 2min
Kenn Nesbitt's "Our Teacher's Not a Zombie"
Today’s poem may or may not be based on actual events. Happy reading! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 10, 2025 • 4min
Donald Hall's "An Old Life"
In the latter years of his career and life, Donald Hall became something of an expert on growing old (his essay collections Essays After Eighty and A Carnival of Losses: Notes Nearing Ninety are a breathtaking dissertation on the subject), and in today’s poem we get a glimpse of his early apprenticeship in the art. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 8, 2025 • 5min
Gwendolyn Brooks' "The Bean Eaters"
In today’s poem, better is a dinner of herbs where love and memory are, than great riches. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 5, 2025 • 3min
Lucy Maud Montgomery's "A Request"
Today’s poem is channeling Anne Shirley in the autumn of her years. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 3, 2025 • 4min
Linda Pastan's "Something About the Trees"
Today’s poem takes full advantage of the pantoum form’s naturally-contemplative structure–the repeating lines carrying us back and forth between past, present, and an undetermined future. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 1, 2025 • 4min
Jane Kenyon's "Three Songs at the End of Summer"
This installment explores the poignant emotions surrounding the transition from summer to fall in Jane Kenyon's poem. It examines the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia and loss that accompany change. Rich imagery of nature and childhood memories invites listeners to reflect on the beauty and complexity of life’s cycles.
Aug 29, 2025 • 2min
Ogden Nash's "The People Upstairs"
Noisy upstairs neighbors have been consternating mankind for as long as second-floors have existed. The all-too-familiar phenomenon has inspired novels, movies, Tom Waits songs, and even a poem or two–like today’s. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe
