Words of Women

In this episode, I read a poem by the prolific and widely respected poet, Lucille Clifton. Her work emphasizes endurance and strength through adversity, focusing particularly on the African-American experience and family life.

"won't you celebrate with me" is a poem that delves into the themes of identity and self-formation. From a timid and almost apologetic tone she invites us to celebrate the "kind of life" that she has made on her own.

Do let us know what you think about the poem at : [email protected]

I read to you a poem by the inspiring Forugh Farrokhzad, a woman who did not shy away from expressing herself. Perturbed by the roles of women and inspired by her mother's fascination for dolls this poem criticises the misplaced worldview from secluded and privileged spaces.

This translated version is by Sholeh Wolpé, and I would like to thank her for allowing me to read her poems from her book "Sin- Selected Poems of Forugh Farrokhzad, edited and translated by Sholeh Wolpé, published by the University of Arkansas Press".

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Background score credit:

Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/

This poem by the Palestinian poet Fadwa Tuqan delves into the themes of loneliness, hopelessness and old age. The poet seems particularly tired of the violence that prevails as she lives. 

First published as Wahsha: Moustalhama min Qanoon al Jathibiya in Al Karmel 72-73, 2002. By arrangement with the estate of Fadwa Touqan. Translation copyright 2006 by Tania Tamari Nasir and Christopher Millis. All rights reserved.

Background score credit:

Reaching The Sky (Long Version) by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this satirical comedy by Mary Darby Robinson, she makes a mockery of fashion in 1799. Probably her vendetta post being reduced to a fraction of her former self against what we now call the "fashion police".

Do write to us with your comments on the poems at: [email protected]

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Atmosphere by Naoya Sakamata | https://www.youtube.com/c/NaoyaSakamataPIANOmusicChannel/
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Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
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In this episode, I bring to you a poem by the poet-diplomat-educator Gabriela Mistral. An advocate for the rights of the marginalised her poems is full of emotions. Hope you enjoy this selection.

Do write to us at : [email protected]

Background music credits :

Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/

I have always felt that Art has the power to heal, when artists speak of their struggles it gives the strength to carry on, assuring oneself that others have gone through the same. "Mad Girl's Love Song"  written by the American poet Sylvia Plath in 1953, is one of her early poems. The poem delves into the themes of heartbreak and mental health. In my interpretation, I feel it resonates with all of us when disappointed in love.   Do write to us with your thoughts at [email protected] Background music credit: Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/ Atmosphere by Naoya Sakamata | https://www.youtube.com/c/NaoyaSakamataPIANOmusicChannel/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/ Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, I bring to you a poem by the feminist author Kamala Das. Known as the "Mother of Modern Indian English poetry", she is often equated to Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. "An Introduction" is included in her first collection of poems, '
Summer in Calcutta' published in 1965.

Do write to us with your suggestions at:

 [email protected].

 

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Art of silence by uniq
https://soundcloud.com/uniqofficial
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com

Hello dear listeners, I am starting off my podcast with a poem very close to my heart. This poem has always been a beacon of light for me at dark time.

I would love to hear from you about what you think of the poem as well as your suggestion. Do write to me at "[email protected].

This is a snippet of what you would expect in this podcast. Send a voice message to my podcast, Words of Women: https://anchor.fm/words-of-women/message