Off the Page - Poetry Schmoetry

Provocative and thoughtful new writing and discussion, presented by Dominic Arkwright. The title for this week's programme is 'Poetry Schmoetry.' The guests are the former Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, the writer Guy Browning and performance poet, Rachel Pantechnicon. Andrew talks about the elemental power of poetry; 'Poetry is for the most humane, as well as the most humanising aspect of the self.' Guy describes poetry as a 'tattered umbrella between you and the sun', and Rachel tells of her doomed attempt to retrace the wanderings of the Ancient Mariner. Andrew also indulges us with a reading from a contender for the 'worst poem ever written' award.