Dark nights of the Soul, Brian Bilston, JH Prynne, Daljit Nagra, William Blake and Martha Sprackland
Ian McMillan presents work from Brian Bilston, Daljit Nagra, William Blake, JH Prynne and Martha Sprackland.
Can poetry help us through 'the dark night of the soul'? Ian McMillan finds out with poet and translator Martha Sprackland. And is our 'dark night' anything like the one that St John of the Cross explored in the 16th century?
Ian finds out how to write a poem from internet poetry sensation Brian Bilston - he asks Daljit Nagra why the words of William Blake took him towards a life in poetry (something Daljit explores in his brand new collection), and Ian also hears about the remarkable poetry of JH Prynne from Ira Lightman.
On radio
Broadcast
- Sun 24 May 2026 17:10麻豆社 Radio 4
The Verb: Something New 鈥� The Poems
New poems commissioned by The Verb for the 麻豆社 centenary.
35 Years of Spoken Word
A season of Poetry and Performance from Hull.
麻豆社 Arts
Explore the 麻豆社 Arts website and discover the best of British art and culture.
The Dylan Thomas Collection
Listen to programmes, poetry readings and commentary from Radio 3's Dylan Thomas Day.
Podcast
-
![]()
The Verb
Radio 4's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance.
