Sometimes leaving feels like you’re splitting yourself in two, but you leave anyway. What compels us? What holds us together even as we look back? David Whyte’s poem combines pain and promise as someone is both departing and venturing at the same time.

We’re pleased to offer David Whyte’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

What is the landscape that has most influenced you? When do you go there? In person? Andrés N. Ordorica goes in dreams.

We’re pleased to offer Andrés N. Ordorica’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

If you were to use a metaphor for your worries, what metaphor would you turn to? Here, the worries have worry babies of their own. And they look back at the poet. What do they see?

We’re pleased to offer Laura Villareal’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

The search for authentic love is a powerful hunger in humans and, as Stephanie Burt shares, in werewolves.

We’re pleased to offer Stephanie Burt’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

Do you experience disgust at the sight of certain insects? Which ones? Fiona Benson teaches us how to see.

In 2019, Fiona collaborated with sound artists Mair Bosworth and Eliza Lomas for an 18-month, singing exploration of the wonders of the insect world as part of the University of Exeter’s Urgency Arts Commissions. The series of workshops culminated in a public anthology of poetry sound pieces called “In the Company of Insects.”

We’re pleased to offer Fiona Benson’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

A man whose baby daughter has died turns to stars, mythology, and imagination for solace. There, he encounters what might help, a little.

We’re pleased to offer Saddiq Dzukogi’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

What do you do when what sustains you no longer sustains you? A poet tries everything he can to reconnect with his art.

We’re pleased to offer Adam Zagajewski’s poem translated by Clare Cavanagh, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

The sounds of a city can be overwhelming — but in the imagination of this poem, they are made into something new.

We’re pleased to offer Carolina Ebeid’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

Asking for help is a thing of bravery. A poet describes her journey towards that help.

We’re pleased to offer Molly Twomey’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

In the aftermath of disaster, how do you sing a song to mark what’s gone, and praise what’s growing?

We’re pleased to offer Hinemoana Baker’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

What’s a moment when you grew up? When you realized the help you get might not be the help you want?

We’re pleased to offer Jennifer Huang’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

After her father’s death, a poet considers her relationship with loss.

We’re pleased to offer Gabeba Baderoon’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

Is there life after death? This poem says yes: where one life is part of a cycle of life that continues.

We’re pleased to offer Michael Kleber-Diggs’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

A person is lost, and in panic. A calm voice says strangely comforting things.

We’re pleased to offer David Wagoner’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.

Pre-order the forthcoming book Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our new conversational space on Substack.

Poetry Unbound with host Pádraig Ó Tuama is back on Monday, September 26. Featured poets in this season include Rumi, Fiona Benson, Michael Kleber-Diggs, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, and many more. New episodes released every Monday and Friday through December 16.

Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you listen.

How far would you go for great love? And what distances would you cross?

We’re pleased to offer Yu Xiuhua’s poem, and invite you to sign up here for the latest from Poetry Unbound.

When all eyes seem to lock on you, how do you cope with self-consciousness? How do you look back?

We’re pleased to offer Andy Jackson’s poem, and invite you to sign up here for the latest from Poetry Unbound.

Life can feel exhausting sometimes: how do you find rest?

We’re pleased to offer Tiana Clark’s poem, and invite you to sign up here for the latest from Poetry Unbound.