I sent a poem to the RTE Radio 1 programme, The Poetry Programme two weeks ago in response to a request for poems on the subject of Valentine's Day. RTE Radio 1 would be sort of the Irish national equivalent to BBC Radio 4, except without the plummy voices ;)
I received an email back from producer Aoife Nic Cormaic, thanking me for my contribution and telling me that I had been shortlisted for reading during the programme.
I didn't get my hopes up too much and we tuned in on Saturday evening, as myself and hubby were eating our weekly sit-down-and-catch-up-meal, but we missed the opening minutes of the programme, due to the potatoes needing mashing.
We listened to Sally Emerson and Michael O'Loughlin discussing love poetry with the presenter well-known poet Irish poet Pat Boran, citing and quoting some great examples from old and contemporary poets. This was interspersed with readings by Catherine Brennan of reader's contributions.
As the programme progressed hubby said reassuringly, 'I'm sure they'll read yours out.'
I said, no, surely there would be stiff competition and I'd be lucky to get mine read, especially as the short half-hour programme might not fit in the advertised quota of ten. By the close, I wasn't too disappointed and the great poem 'Atlas' by U.A. Fanthorpe was picked out as a particular favourite and read out by Sally Emerson, which made up for it.
Imagine my surprise when I checked the website and clicked on the link for Saturday's programme. The first poem read out was the one I had sent in. Missing the first few minutes of the programme had been crucial, after all!!!
You can listen here if you have Real Player (which I think is still free to DL, if you've not got it) - just fast forward past the news and weather to about 2:50 mins. It's called 'Cupidity'.
The Atlas poem is later, around about 26:00 mins. or so, but the whole programme is interesting in its own right.
You can also catch up with previous Poetry Programmes, and listen to them if you like what you see on the RTE menu!
16 comments:
Wow!!! I'm listening now. It's great, and brilliantly read too.
You sexy thang you!
I voted too
Newbie, ex lurker here. Boy, what a luscious, rude poem! Loved it, and Hi!
Now this is good
Can't hear it! But so excited for you!
That'll teach you to get your priorities right ... mashing potatoes indeed. You should have been opening champers ...
Great poem, Barbara! It was beautifully read too.
Brilliant! Well done!
Have had great agro posting this. It eventually appeared on my own blog which was VERY weird! Just wanted to say the poem great and hope you write lots. Did you and your man enjoy your supper? Where were the 6 children? Are they little ones in bed or big ones out in the city for a SAturday night??
Eventually managed to hear it - great! So well done, Barbara. Onwards and onwards!
Thanks everyone - I was pretty chuffed and it's great that your'e all so supportive!
Jan - the six are still of an age where bedtimes range from eight o'clock onwards. But they are great at being quiet when you bribe them enough ;) I always cross my fingers and hope for the best... they don't always appreciate that parents aren't on call 24-7!
Dang, couldn't access the file - but huge congratulations - well done!
I'm reeling with admiration that you have six kids - SIX KIDS! And manage to be on the radio and all over the place and all those other things...Well I've learn't a lesson today.
Sorry I couldn't hear it - poor old pooter just not capable. But many congrats!
Hey, I'm late to this ... sorry:) but congratulations. i will away now and listen in to the real thing. Brilliant news! :)
Cailleach, I've just listened and that was wonderful! There was such a fireworks of tone and twist! It was so beautifully read as well, which really put it in its best light. What an accent! :) What miserable sods the presenters were though, not to say something about it at the end ... I know about live studio situations though, and it sounds like he was distracted, getting ready to throw to the guest! Brilliant Cailleach! You are famous! :)
Well now, I wouldn't say the presenters were miserable sods at all Shameless, I mean't it more as in the typical luck of mine not to be listening when it was on!
And as I said, it's great to able to listen to it after the fact.
Famous? I'd say I was only slightly getting there - after all, that was only about 2 mins and it's supposed to be 15 mins, isn't it? Some day - Tiochfaidh ar la!
Mel - I do have six kids, but I keep it kinda quietish... am blushing here now!
Hi Cailleach, no, when I said miserable sods, I meant they didn't say a word about your poem at the end of the POEM. The presenter just went straight into a question with the guest, without saying even just a slight little thing about your poem that we'd just heard, like "wasn't that nice" or, something at all. It jarred a bit to hear your poem read beautifully and then nothing from the presenters when it came to an end, straight into the guest. As I said though, while your poem was playing, he was probably getting the guest ready, discussing the first question. And I suppose you did get your two minutes! I just wanted you to be praised for that, that was all. Because it was GOOD! :)
Ah, I get you now! Doh! The way I saw it, was that it was an interesting opening to the programme, what with it being quite sensual.
Still, thanks for your praise, that means quite a lot to me :)))
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