Poetry Unbound

50 Poems to Open Your World

By: Pádraig Ó Tuama

Narrated by: Pádraig Ó Tuama

In the tumult of our contemporary moment, poetry has emerged as an inviting, consoling outlet with a unique power to move and connect us, to inspire fury, tears, joy, laughter, and surprise. This generous anthology pairs fifty illuminating poems with poet and podcast host Pádraig Ó Tuama's appealing, unhurried reflections. With keen insight and warm personal anecdotes, Ó Tuama considers each poem's artistry and explores how its meaning can reach into our own lives.

Focusing mainly on poets writing today, Ó Tuama engages with a diverse array of voices that includes Ada Limon, Ilya Kaminsky, Margaret Atwood, Ocean Vuong, Layli Long Soldier, and Reginald Dwayne Betts. Natasha Trethewey meditates on miscegenation and Mississippi; Raymond Antrobus makes poetry out of the questions shot at him by an immigration officer; Martin Espada mourns his father; Marie Howe remembers and blesses her mother's body; Aimee Nezhukumatathil offers comfort to her child-self. Through these wide-ranging poems, Ó Tuama guides us on an inspiring journey to reckon with self-acceptance, history, independence, parenthood, identity, joy, and resilience.

For anyone who has wanted to try their hand at a conversation with poetry but doesn't know where to start, Poetry Unbound presents a window through which to celebrate the art of being alive.

©2023 Pádraig Ó Tuama (P)2022 Tantor

Praise to Pádraig O Tuama

I listened, I learned, I cried, I laughed. I lost my breath.and wanted to inhale all of it. I shall repeat over and over.
His voice is angelic! Read the book,yes but also listen to the audible.

beautifully written, beautifully read

This collection, read in Padraig's gentle way, is food for the soul. Its invitational and reflective style, just like the podcast, begs to be listened to in small portions when the heart is open and ready to receive, rather than racing to the finish.

Beautiful poems, beautifully discussed.

This is a beautiful book, well worth reading over and over again. He not only reads and connotes; he imparts the feelings that the Poet invokes. While some of the quoted works are more Christian than I would have preferred, I could identify with the sentiments expressed.

A very worthwhile read. Four Stars. ****

Wonderful wonderful

Padraig is the top of the pops in poetry in my world. Such a generous & thoughtful soul. This is a book for those who wonder what is poetry as well as for those who know what poetry is.

Excellence….

I came to this book from the Poetry Unbound podcast (which I loved and listened to every one, including the bonuses) so initially there was a bit of an experiential disconnect with this audio book without the lovely intro/ outro music, how Padraig has a poetic idea/ insight first then reads the poem, then reads his mini- essay, then reads the poem again… so that format is awesome, yet the poems here (some from the podcast, some new) are really strong and his essay’s (while maybe I veered a bit from his interpretation) were always enjoyable. Also I applaud Padraig’s vulnerability and his poetic ear in being one of the best poetry listeners (someone who deeply connects and thinks about every poem) I’ve ever encountered. So major kudos Padraig, well done!

Life Changing

Everyone should listen to this, whether you are a poetry fan already or not. Because regardless, you will be by the end of this.

Padraig’s interpretation

His interpretation of each work was touching and the poem’s where well chosen and arranged

Calming, intelligent, beautiful.

Takes you inside the poem, dances you around, explains the hows and whys. It’s art on art.

You’ll become a fan of poetry!:)

This book is beautifully written. Its elegant design is poetic in and of itself. The chosen poets are diverse and offer many perspectives. I teach art and was constantly getting new ideas for projects, prompts, and discussions!