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Bogland
by Seamus Heaney 
An early nature poem about digging into Ireland's soft wet earth and into
her past. |
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After
Reading a Child's Guide to Modern Physics
by W.H.Auden
A witty examination of our passion for scientific knowledge. |
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Love
in the Lab by Jo Shapcott
A poem which has 'a way of turning physics into the physical'. |
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Talking Turkeys
by Benjamin Zephaniah
The Rasta poet says liberate turkeys from the tyranny of Christmas!
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On
the Booze by John Hegley
John Hegley details his father's brief flirtation with alcohol.
Listen to more of John Hegley's poems.
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The Cats' Protection League by Roger McGough
Cats get nasty in this poem loved by both children and adults. |
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Diary
of a Church Mouse by Sir John Betjeman
Life in an English church, as seen from an unusual angle. |
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You and Me and P.B. Shelley by Ogden Nash
The poet of entertainment contemplates life and PB Shelley. |
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Homecoming: Anse La Raye by Derek Walcott
A Caribbean homecoming full of memory and contrast. |
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A March Calf by Ted Hughes
The acclaimed Poet Laureate creates intense imagery on the savagery of nature and the animal world. |
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The
Mitchells by Les Murray
A poem on the values and practices of rural Australia. |
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Lady
Lazarus by Sylvia Plath
A disturbing monologue on death, rebirth and survival, written four months
before the poet's suicide. |
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Miss
World by Benjamin Zephaniah
The Rasta poet has a word or two about beauty contests. |
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The
Charge of the Light Brigade by Lord Tennyson
Inspired by The Times' account of a Crimean fiasco. Recorded in 1890. |
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Not
Waving but Drowning by Stevie Smith
Based on a newspaper article about a seaside misunderstanding. |
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You May Turn Over and Begin by Simon Armitage
Memories of school exams and the age of consent. |
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Men
and Their Boring Arguments...by Wendy Cope
Gender differences exposed with humour and a sharp knife. |
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Into
My Mirror Has Walked by Brian Patten
A magical and mysterious love poem from a master of the genre. |
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The
Most Unforgettable Character...by Roger McGough
One of his adult poems, full of tips for prospective poets. |
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Bessie
Smith in Yorkshire by Adrian Mitchell
A surreal fan letter to the Empress of the Blues. |
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To listen to these poems, you will need the latest version of Real
Player |
