The Verb - Billy Collins, Elaine Feinstein, John Kinsella, Verb Poetic Problems

Ian McMillan presents Radio 3's cabaret of the word, featuring an interview with former American poet laureate Billy Collins on how he confronted the challenge of writing commemorative poetry, particularly for 9/11 and why his poetry is concerned with his life in the present, rather than past traumas. Poet and author Elaine Feinstein discusses her new collection of poetry, "Cities", a history of her life through the cities she has visited and the poets she has met, including such luminaries as Janos Pilinszky and Miroslav Holub. A brand new verse drama - The Signature at Ludlow - written specially for the Verb by Australian writer and environmental activist John Kinsella. The drama explores a murder and a massacre of indigenous Australian people known about by John's own early pioneer forebears, whilst exploring issues of landscape and language. Andin the latest of the "Verb Poetic Problems", Sean O'Brien and Simon Barraclough explore their relationship to the audience. Is the audience a source of inspiration or consternation?