All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 20 of 56 in total
Demain dès l'aube: Facing the Unspeakable
Today, Erika Kyba reads Victor Hugo's "Demain dès l'aube," a poem about a man who has delayed facing his grief for far too long.
America: Perennial With the Earth
Today, Erika Kyba reads Walt Whitman's "America," a distillation of the patriotic spirit that infuses much of Whitman's poetic corpus.
Break, Break, Break: When Tragedy Paralyzes
Today, Erika Kyba reads Tennyson's "Break, Break, Break," an intimate portrait of loss and grief. The poem conveys the deadening effect of great sorrow, as the poet ob...
The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill: The Dark Twist
Today, Erika Kyba reads the eerie conclusion of Robert W. Service's "The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill," and proposes some possible interpretations to its mysterious ending.
The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill: The Grateful Dead
Today, Erika Kyba reads an excerpt from Robert W. Service's "The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill," a poet's take on the Grateful Dead archetype.
Aunt Helen: A Damning Silence
Today, Erika Kyba reads T. S. Eliot's "Aunt Helen," a dark meditation on the futility of earthly affairs, and the danger of leaving behind an empty legacy.
Holy Sonnet X: Death be not Proud
Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's glorious vaunt against death itself: Holy Sonnet X.
At a Solemn Music: Milton vs the Puritans
Today, Erika Kyba reads John Milton's "At a Solemn Music," which subtly engages with Puritan arguments portraying music as evil. Instead, Milton extols song as somethi...
Down by the Salley Gardens: The One that Got Away
Today, Erika Kyba reads W. B. Yeats's "Down by the Salley Gardens," a wistful meditation on lost love and innocence.
The Good-Morrow: Love so Alike
Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's "The Good-Morrow," which meditates on the unity of lovers, as well as the virtues needed for romantic love to endure.
An Inner Happiness is Absolutely of my World: A Door to the Soul
Today, Erika Kyba reads Salvador Espriu's "An Inner Happiness is Absolutely of my World," a self-reflective meditation on poetry as a door to the soul of the poet.
Holy Sonnet XII: A Greater Wonder
Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's Holy Sonnet XII, which offers a frame for looking at nature with new eyes.
Ode to the West Wind: Beyond the Grave
Today, Erika Kyba reads the conclusion of Percy Shelley's Ode to the West Wind. We see the poet recognize his mortality and surrender himself and his work to the autum...
Ode to the West Wind: Destruction and Renewal
Today, Erika Kyba reads an excerpt from Percy Shelley's Ode to the West Wind, which celebrates the destructive spirit of the West Wind as a harbinger of renewal.
Holy Sonnet IX: A Heavenly, Lethean Flood
Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's Holy Sonnet IX, in which the poet wrestles with the themes of sin, guilt, and forgiveness.
Love (III): When Love Bids You Welcome
Today, Erika Kyba reads Love (III), the conclusion of George Herbert's Love series. This poem portrays the beautiful way in which Love crosses over the boundaries of g...
The Sacrifice: "Was Ever Grief Like Mine?"
Today, Erika Kyba reads an excerpt from George Herbert's The Sacrifice, a beautiful meditation on the Passion.
Love (II): Such True Desires
Today, Erika Kyba reads George Herbert's Love (II), in which the poet turns to correct the problems of disordered love that he raised in Love (I).
Love (I): Thou Standing By
Today, Erika Kyba reads George Herbert's Love (I). Join her to unpack his beautiful ode to a forgotten Creator.
Little Brother: The Wrath to Come
Today, Erika Kyba reads Robert W. Service's darkly enthralling "Little Brother." Together, we explore the truth of the poet's bleak vision, as well as looking for aven...