Where Poems Come from

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Arts Documentary hosted by Michael Longley, published by BBC in 2024 - English narration

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An intimate film profile of Belfast poet Michael Longley, offering insights into his work, friendships, working process, the places that have inspired him and his relationship with his wife Edna. After studying classics at Trinity College, Dublin, Michael moved back north with his wife, the literary critic Edna Longley, in 1965, shortly before the period of the Troubles began. By this time, Michael had already established his own personal, lyric style and was wary of writing about an obviously sectarian conflict. Nonetheless, in several poems he spoke out directly against the senseless inhumanity of the killing on both sides. When the first glimmer of the peace process arrived with the IRA ceasefire in 1994, his poem Ceasefire touched many people: 'I get down on my knees and do what must be done And kiss Achilles' hand, the killer of my son'. Increasingly, it is as a poet of nature that Michael has found his unique voice, with delicate, highly atmospheric lyric poems about flowers, birds and wildlife, particularly the magical landscape around the cottage in Carrigskeewaun in County Mayo, which he and Edna visit regularly. With its barnacle geese, rare butterflies and sea otters, this has become the source of many of Michael's finest poems. Michael has been awarded many international prizes, including the prestigious Feltrinelli International Poetry Prize in 2022. Like all great poets, Michael captures the universal, and now in his eighties, he is still writing at the top of his game.