Beyond the Verse

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Maiya and Joe explore 'Small Towns and the River' by Mamang Dai, a deeply resonant poem that blends cosmology, animism, and the intimate experiences of life and death in India’s northeastern hill communities.Together, they unpack how Dai—drawing on her Adi tribal heritage and deep environmental consciousness—uses the imagery of a flowing river to explore permanence, transience, and the cyclical nature of life and grief. The hosts examine the significance of animistic belief systems, the personification of the natural world, and how rituals provide both protection and continuity for communities facing modern encroachment.From the evocative opening line—“Small towns always remind me of death”—to the river’s symbolic immortality, Maiya and Joe discuss how Dai crafts a vision of death not as an end, but a transformation woven into ancestral and geographic memory. They also analyze how the poem’s structure mimics the flow of water and how it reflects Dai’s subtle anxieties about cultural erosion in a modernizing world.Download exclusive PDFs on Small Towns and the River, available to Poetry+ members:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFTune in and discover:How Dai’s Adi heritage and environmentalism shape the poem’s core message.Why the river becomes a metaphor for both grief and ancestral continuityHow oral tradition and mythology intersect with poetic form.What the poem reveals about the tension between rural identity and urban expansion.How Dai uses timeless natural symbols to explore mortality, memory, and renewal.Send us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

Dive into Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade,' a poem that transformed a military blunder into a testament of heroism. Explore how Tennyson's dactylic meter mimics galloping horses, signaling disaster. Unpack biblical allusions and the mythic idea of 'the six hundred' that elevates ordinary soldiers into epic figures. The hosts delve into Tennyson's subtle criticism of military leadership and how the poem reshaped public perception of sacrifice. Discover connections to World War I poets and the powerful imagery of bravery amidst overwhelming odds.

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into the strange brilliance of the Metaphysical Poets. From the explosive intimacy of Donne’s 'The Flea,' to the restless rebellion in Herbert’s 'The Collar,' and the dizzying contradictions of Marvell’s 'To His Coy Mistress,' this episode unpacks what unites—and divides—these 17th-century innovators.Joe and Maiya trace the origins of the term “metaphysical poets,” coined pejoratively by Samuel Johnson, and explore how these poets tackled vast philosophical themes—time, mortality, innocence, desire—through unexpected conceits and daring paradoxes. They debate whether these poets truly form a unified movement or are better understood as outliers brought together by critics. Whether it’s Donne’s mingling of sacred and profane, Herbert’s oscillation between doubt and faith, or Marvell’s seductive argument wrapped in cosmic dread, this episode wrestles with how intellect, sensuality, and contradiction define the metaphysical legacy.Get exclusive PDFs on Donne, Marvell, and more—available to Poetry+ users:Movement overview PDF: The Metaphysical PoetsFull PDF Guides on poets:John Donne PDF GuideAndrew Marvell PDF GuideHenry Vaughan PDF GuideTune in and discover:Why conceits lie at the heart of metaphysical poetryHow these poets balance contradiction, faith, and philosophyWhat “vegetable love,” fleas, and collars have in commonWhether the metaphysical poets ever really existed as a movementSend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

Delve into Keats’s 'Ode to a Nightingale,' where the haunting song symbolizes artistic immortality amidst human mortality. Explore how Keats's medical background influenced his themes of existential despair. Uncover the tension between the ephemeral and the eternal, and the role of classical references like Lethe and Bacchus. Reflect on the relationship between creativity and memory, and how the nightingale's song contrasts with the constraints of time. Discover the complexities of Keats's legacy and the enigmatic nature of beauty.

Dive into the depths of Dylan Thomas's celebrated villanelle, where the battle against mortality unfolds. Discover how the poem's strict form echoes its defiant message. Explore Thomas's personal grief intertwined with broader cultural contexts, and how archetypal figures illuminate our universal struggle with death. The hosts dissect the poignant ambiguity within the poem, and discuss how Thomas’s nonconformity influenced his legacy. Join this exploration of life, loss, and the enduring power of poetry.

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya delve into T. S. Eliot’s groundbreaking 1922 poem, 'The Waste Land.' Widely hailed as one of the most significant works of modernist poetry, 'The Waste Land' reshaped literary history with its fragmented structure, interwoven voices, and provocative allusions to mythology, religion, and everyday life.Joe and Maiya unpack Eliot’s kaleidoscopic use of symbols—from the Arthurian Fisher King to Eastern scriptures—discussing how the trauma of the First World War and the fast-changing early 20th century shaped the poem’s tone of disillusionment. They highlight Ezra Pound’s crucial role as “editor extraordinaire” and explore Eliot’s complex interplay of past and present, culminating in the final mantra-like call for peace in Sanskrit. Together, they illuminate how Eliot’s “collage” of cultures, languages, and literary references both challenges and rewards readers over a century later.Get exclusive PDFs on 'The Waste Land' available to Poetry+ users:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFT. S. Eliot PDF GuideModernism PDF GuideTune in and discover:The poem’s revolutionary role in the rise of modernismEliot’s use of mythic, religious, and pop-cultural referencesHow WWI’s upheaval shaped the fragmentation and despairWhy 'The Waste Land' continues to influence poets, critics, and readers todaySend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

TW: Discussions of suicideIn this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya dive into Sylvia Plath’s posthumous collection "Ariel," focusing on 'Daddy,' 'Lady Lazarus,' and other landmark poems from the collection.The episode begins with an exploration of Plath’s life, from her early literary ambitions to the psychological and artistic forces that shaped her groundbreaking work. The hosts examine how "Ariel" redefined confessional poetry, channeling personal trauma, feminist resistance, and mythic reinvention into striking poetic forms.Poetry+ users can get exclusive access to analysis, content, and PDFs, including the following that relates to this episode:Sylvia Plath PDF Guide​Confessionalism PDF​'Daddy':Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDF'Lazy Lazarus'Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFTune in and discover:How Plath redefined confessional poetry with "Ariel"The controversial imagery and feminist undercurrents in 'Daddy' and 'Lady Lazarus'The themes of death, rebirth, and self-reinvention in Plath’s poetryHer influence on contemporary poetry and beyondSend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya conclude their mini-series on the poets of the First World War with an in-depth exploration of Siegfried Sassoon. They discuss his privileged early life, his pre-war poetry as a Georgian Romantic, and his transformation into one of the most outspoken critics of the war. The episode delves into Sassoon’s military service, his wartime bravery, and the pivotal moment when he publicly denounced the war in his 1917 'Soldier’s Declaration.'Through an analysis of Sassoon’s poetry, Joe and Maiya examine how his work evolved from patriotic beginnings to biting satire and scathing critiques of political leadership. They discuss key poems like 'Suicide in the Trenches' and 'Counter-Attack,' highlighting Sassoon’s stark portrayal of disillusionment, the psychological toll of combat, and his use of structure and sound to intensify the horrors of war. The hosts also explore how Sassoon’s influence extended beyond his own poetry, shaping the legacy of Wilfred Owen through their friendship at Craiglockhart War Hospital.Finally, the episode reflects on Sassoon’s post-war years, his shifting perspectives, and his role in shaping modern understandings of war literature. Joe and Maiya discuss his influence on later poets, the timeless relevance of his anti-war stance, and the ways in which his poetry continues to resonate in contemporary discussions on conflict and memory.Poetry+ users can get exclusive access to analysis, content, and PDFs, including the following that relates to this episode:First World War Poets PDF GuideSiegfried Sassoon PDF Guide'Suicide in the Trenches':Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDF'Counter-Attack':Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDFSend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya continue their exploration of First World War poets by diving into the life and works of Wilfred Owen. They discuss his experiences as a soldier, his time recovering from shell shock at Craiglockhart War Hospital, and his mentorship under Siegfried Sassoon—key influences that shaped his raw and harrowing depictions of war. Through an analysis of his poetry, they explore how Owen rejected patriotic idealism in favor of exposing the brutal realities of the battlefield.The episode examines Owen’s most famous works, including 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'Anthem for Doomed Youth,' breaking down their powerful imagery and themes of suffering, disillusionment, and the loss of innocence. Joe and Maiya contrast Owen’s stark realism with the earlier romanticized visions of war presented by poets like Rupert Brooke, emphasizing how his poetry shattered illusions about heroism and sacrifice. They also discuss Owen’s innovative use of sound, structure, and irony to convey the chaos and horror of combat.Finally, the hosts reflect on Owen’s tragic death just days before the Armistice in 1918 and how it cemented his status as one of the most significant war poets of the 20th century. They explore his enduring impact on war literature, his influence on later poets, and the ways in which his work continues to shape our understanding of conflict, memory, and loss.Poetry+ users can get exclusive access to analysis, content, and PDFs, including the following that relates to this episode:First World War Poets PDF GuideWilfred Owen PDF Guide'Dulce et Decorum Est': Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDF`Anthem for Doomed Youth':Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDFSend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In the opening episode of Season 2 of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya launch into a three-part mini-series on First World War poets. The episode dives into the patriotic and idealistic poetry of Rupert Brooke, highlighting his early contributions before and at the onset of the war in 1914; Joe and Maiya explore Brooke’s background, his life as part of the Bloomsbury Group, and his literary works which capture the national mood of optimism and patriotism during the early months of WWI.The episode covers a broader historical context, explaining the major battles and the unprecedented scale of loss during WWI. They discuss Brooke's celebrated poem, 'The Soldier,' and critique its heavy patriotic overtones, the glorification of England, and the troubling colonial implications inherent in its verses. Ultimately, the episode explores how Brooke's untimely death in 1915 shaped his legacy, marking him as a symbol of pre-war idealism that contrasts starkly with the later, more cynical war poetry of figures like Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen.Joe and Maiya also delve into Brooke’s poem 'The Dead,' comparing its treatment of youth and sacrifice to the later poetry of Wilfred Owen, who offered a more visceral and critical view of war. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding Brooke’s work within the context of his time while recognizing his unintentional role in framing the early 20th-century perception of war. As always, Poetry+ users can get exclusive access to analysis, content, and PDFs, including the following that relates to this episode:Rupert Brooke PDF Guide'The Solider': Poem PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFPoem Printable PDFwith Meterwith Rhyme Schemewith Both Meter and Rhyme Scheme`The Dead':Poem PDF GuidePoetry SnapshSend us a textSupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.