
Poetry Off the Shelf
Producer Helena de Groot talks to poets about language, dreams, love and loss, identity, connection, anger, discomfort, the creative process, the state of the world and the world of the soul. Hard conversations are welcomed—laughter is, too.
Latest episodes

May 27, 2025 • 52min
Forty Years in Nappies
Lauren K. Watel on blooming late, showing off, and the question of what's for dinner.

May 13, 2025 • 52min
Stones in the Shed
A.E. Stallings on shipwrecks, daylight robbery, and the air in 19th century Athens.

May 9, 2025 • 7min
Martha Silano’s “Once”
A reading in memory of Martha Silano.

Apr 29, 2025 • 48min
After a Bad Dream
Darius Atefat-Peckham on crocheting, masculinity, and the aftermath of loss.

Apr 16, 2025 • 59min
What Love Can Be
Keetje Kuipers, a celebrated poet and author of 'Lonely Women Make Good Lovers', shares her heartfelt journey as a single mother by choice. She discusses the balancing act of love, creativity, and family life, revealing how her experiences shape her poetry. From embracing solitude to redefining love and motherhood, Keetje opens up about unexpected joys and challenges. She also dives into the complexities of marriage and intimacy in poetry, inviting listeners to explore the transformative power of connections in all their forms.

Apr 15, 2025 • 52min
Long Song
Catherine-Esther Cowie on Saint Lucia, breathing life into history, and the violence in our heart.

4 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 59min
What Love Can Be
Keetje Kuipers, a celebrated poet known for her exploration of love and family, shares her journey of becoming a single mother by choice. She dives into the intricacies of love, discussing parenting's challenges and the emotional depth of her experiences. Kuipers reveals how the unpredictability of life shapes poetry and reflects on solitude and self-discovery. With vivid anecdotes, she challenges societal norms about family while embracing risk and the transformative power of writing in understanding love's complexities.

Mar 18, 2025 • 56min
Braver Than I Am
Tiana Clark on divorce, joy, and taking up space on the page.

Mar 4, 2025 • 55min
To the Brink
Four poets on old stories, cultural memory, and minority languages.

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 1min
Hope Rustles in My Leaves
Rebecca Lindenberg on diabetes, a final phone call, and letting yourself fall in love.