TW: Suicide.

The Forest. An original poem by yours truly. Read along with it here.

In honour of Movember, Joe shares his bad mental health day as well as a poem about the suicide forests of Mount Fuji. While this poem is dark, the episode is meant to be cathartic--nobody is truly alone in this world.

To donate to Joe's Movember page: click here.

For a bit of Joe's singing (which might cheer you up, though no guarantees) have a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/@Rileysings88

If you are affected by any of the issues in this poem/episode then please contact https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ without delay.
If you just want to talk about the episode then you are welcome to email me and I will get back to you, though please remember I am not a healthcare professional.

Be kind to yourself, take good care.

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

The official trailer for Sketch Poetry. Share far and wide with anyone you think might like the show!

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

'The steeples are white in the wild moonlight'

Do not listen to this late at night.

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

'Even now this landscape is assembling.'
Joe kicks off spooky season with a little number from Louise Glück. There is a lot of preamble to go with Joe's ambling, so if you want to get straight to the poem skip to 14 mins.

This was suggested by the wonderful Jim Moon of the Hypnogoria podcast and I highly recommend you listen to his show here: https://www.hypnogoria.com/hypnogoriapodcast.html

There will be more spooky things, stay tuned.

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

A recent radio spot Joe had with Hannah Sackville-Bryant from BBC York. They featured my Rossetti episode and I got to talk about the origins of the podcast.

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

'Do not go gentle into that good night"
noswaith dda from Joe as he allows himself a couple of cheeky stouts in the pub, which is fitting considering Dylan Thomas' regular habits (though Joe was in bed by 10, honest).

The incredible reading of the poem was done this week by Welsh storyteller and podcaster Owen Staton. You can hear his voice here at the Time Between Times podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/time-between-times-storytelling-with-owen-staton/id1573244734

The picture by Stephen Collins can be seen here: http://www.stephencollinsillustration.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/poets_smartphones_print.jpg and I highly recommend you buy it!

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

'Remember me when I am gone away
Gone far away into the silent land'

Joe takes an early autumn walk and remembers his wonderful father. This episode is a bit emotional, so tread with care but hopefully it brings some solace.

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com

'This house has been far out at sea all night'

Hold onto your hat, it's a bit breezy. Joe goes for a stroll in the wind and explores this cracker from Ted Hughes.

N.B: I dropped my daughter off before I went up the big hill, fear not.

**I also gave the wrong email address, see below for the correct one**

Support the show

Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here:
thesketchpoet@gmail.com