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Image: David O'Doherty by © Flickr user Órla Ryan under a Creative Commons license

David O'Doherty

David O'Doherty chinwags with Ryan about jazz, literature, comedy, the pressures of working in the creative industries, good stand-up, his favourite poetry and much else...

• Listen now

Kevin MacNeil

Poet, playwright, bicyclist and novelist Kevin MacNeil chats to Ryan about why he's glad he started off life as a poet, the challenges of performance and why he describes himself as a "writer" rather than a "poet turned novelist...

• Kevin MacNeil | Archive

Classic poems

Francis Bickmore on 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'

I first met this poem at exactly the time I discovered The Yellow Submarine … Just like The Beatles' animation, The Ancient Mariner is a psychedelic sea voyage, a tale of the unexpected and a playground of sight, sound and uncertain mysticism.

• Current choice | Archive

Selected works

Brian Taylor on his poetry selection

Have you ever played those dining table games when you challenge friends to name their Top Three Films / Books / Musicians? "What? How can you possibly have a Top Three without…"

• Current selection | Archive

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Poetry news for librarians

Poetry Issues

Countdown to 7 October 2010, with notes on the poem cards and ideas for being 'At Home'. More...

Poetry book groups

Reading group dates at the Central Library in Edinburgh. Find ideas for your poetry reading group or a group near you.

Don't miss this!

Eddie@90!
Read the new birthday tribute poems to Edwin Morgan