The Well Read Poem

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Books #154

Because reading is interpretation, The Well Read Poem aims to teach you how to read with understanding! Hosted by poet Thomas Banks of The House of Humane Letters, these short episodes will introduce you to both well-known and obscure poets and will focus on daily recitation, historical and intellectual background, elements of poetry, light explication, and more!Play this podcast daily and practice reciting! The next week, get a new poem. Grow in your understanding and love of poetry by learning how to read well! Brought to you by The Literary Life Podcast.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

Readingumma

Order in my soul

In the middle of a very hectic and emotionally charged and draining day, when I realized no amount of deep breathing was going to save me from going insane, I turned to poetry with Mr. Banks to order my soul again. Summer by Christina Rossetti. The beautiful reading, no over-analyzing and dissecting of the poem, but just a lovely invitation and guide into appreciating art. Thank you, Mr. Banks!
[]aninha[]

So grateful

Education in poetry, I never received. So thankful. My favorite season is summer so I’m in love with Christina Rossetti’s summer poem!
all nicknames r used sooo

Calming+educational and im here for it

Hey!!! 2011 kid here listening to the nothing gold can stay episode for a homework assignment we have and im not an eighties kid BUUUUT im happy the outsiders shout out :)
Lara Seaver

Increasing Beauty Through Understanding

I have always enjoyed reading poetry just for the beauty of it, but have often felt like I could be getting more out of what is being offered. The insights shared by Mr. Banks, and his modeling of poetry well read, have helped me to unlock a greater appreciation for this beautiful form of art and expression.
lizybent

Beautiful

I love poetry. Reading it, reciting it, hearing it and sharing it. Thank you Mr Banks for showing us how a poem, well read can be enjoyed!
SkyFlintt

Magnificent

As someone who knows nothing of Poetry. I appreciate the commentary and breakdown. I also enjoy knowing a little about the poet. Appreciate you doing this podcast Señor Banks
a plains

A cool drink in the barren desert…

Wandering in the all comment, no content of the podcast sea… stumbling thru the disturbing, bazaar, & shallow visions gathered from time tested words of beauty.. Thank you for restoring my hope of well read poetry… sharing an honest reflection but leaving it with time open for the listeners vision…I feel I found a treasure..
New Thoughts for Old People

An enjoyable treat!

Thank you, Mr. Banks, for starting this podcast. I recently started reading poetry again, found out about this podcast, and am now thoroughly enjoying a few quiet moments to listen when you post! Sometimes I need to listen more than once to capture the beauty of the words. So glad you put time and effort into bringing poetry back into the spotlight.
J-Rob55

A little corner to seek beauty.

Thank you for bringing this into the world. It’s a gift to sit still for a moment and listen to Thomas Banks read a poem with insight and guidance. It allows me and my family to think deeply and absorb more.
Smart People Comedy

Thank you!

Been enjoying this weekly with my 13 year old daughter and it’s truly brought joy and a delicious air of mystery to our home!
Laurasis

Love the content, too much intro

I’m a big fan of anything LitLife does. This just has what feels like a disproportionate amount of intro and outro (3 min) to content (5-7 min). Maybe do the whole Angelina stuff at the beginning of a new season rather than every single episode?
Hosannaalem

Thank you!

Thank you so much— for this and The Literary Life podcasts! I often read a poem or two one every blue moon so it’s wonderful to have this as a resource! God bless.
Bjoyyoder

The perfect podcast for our poetry tea time

My six children and I love this podcast so much! It’s the perfect compliment to our afternoon tea time. Mr. Banks has such a lovely reading voice. We are really enjoying what we have been learning!
jmtinsdtn

Perfect reading and exposition of de la Mare.

One of my favorite de la Mare poems is “Someone”. This seems to be a more adult version and I so enjoyed it. Bravo Mr. Banks!
Magistratrium

A love for poetry

Thomas Banks hits it out of the park with this new poetry podcast. His love for and understanding of poetry is evident with every word. I have been wanting to add more poetry to my life and this is going to be my go-to podcast to do it. A must listen for anyone who loves poetry as well as the person who wants to know how to love it.
-/:4567$&@

Very enjoyable

The length of the podcast is perfect. I really enjoy the narrator’s voice. Great explanation of the poetry. Engaging and informative. I do not consider myself a poet nor do I have an extensive understanding of literature, but this podcast is great for the novice and expert alike. I really enjoy it.
DayLightNd

A National Treasure

I love poetry, but don’t always feel like I understand. I am also out of habit of reading. This podcast is a game changer!!! The length of episode time is just right for all education and age levels to start having a clear understanding about poetry. Mr. Banks voice is so perfect to feel the poem, to understand the words in your mind and body. I’m looking forward to many more episodes.
Steve in Oregon

Perfect

There’s so much packed into this episode yet without feeling rushed at all. Perfect length. I love this so much.
ehdi4

Beautiful!

I used to enjoy poetry very much in high school and lost my interest during busy life of parenting little ones. But lately I’ve been desiring for some more poetry in my life again and I picked up Tennyson, since I’ve never read anything of his before, and found it absolutely awful. I thought, perhaps, it’s because I just don’t understand it. Or maybe because I just prefer a rhyming poem. Either way, the first episode of this was so beautiful and much more of what I was looking for and I can’t wait for the next episodes! I’m buying a De La Mare book now.
ReadingTheDayAway

Another gift from the Literary Life Podcast!

Wonderful! Beautifully read poem and just the right amount of explanation. Mr. Bank’s soothing voice is perfect for reading poetry.
Frontier Johnny

Mr. Poem

After one episode, Thomas Banks has been Christened Mr. Poem by my children. A true delight and a terrific addition to our homeschool. Thank you for this wonderful tool for a mother still learning and for children just beginning their education journey.
torahforall

Bringing beauty to our world!

Just like it’s sister show, The Literary Life podcast, The Well-Read Poem is bringing beauty to our world. Thomas Banks is a delight for the listener who loves poetry and possibly even for the listener who thinks they don’t love poetry. Well done!
Whitney K. Smith

Excellent

Enjoyable and educational!
Savethais3

Kid approved

Listened to the first ones with my kids. They were leery but ended up enjoying it and asking if we could switch to the poem read by Mr Banks to memorize during morning time vs what we had been working on.
LanayaG

A bit of peaceful learning for harried Moms

Knowledgeable host sharing beautiful poems.
LJLM21

Love ❤️

I loved the first episode! I’m excited to hear Mr. Banks every week. I was excited to find the first poem in a book of poetry I own, and was able to read it to my five-month-old.
Esther Wright

Wonderful Podcast!

I love learning and studying poetry with my kids. This podcast is another delightful way to incorporate more poetry in our lives. I love the background information and how Thomas Banks reads it again at the end after giving insight into the poem. This helps me get more understanding of what the poem was about. Well done!
JayKayAitch

Five Stars

Another fantastic offering from the House of Humane Letters. Can’t wait to share with my kids during Morning Time on Monday!
Us4j3c

Fantastic

I’m a long time fan of The Literary Life Podcast and have been anxiously awaiting the release of The Well Read Poem! Thomas Banks knows poetry and recites it beautifully! I can’t wait to learn about poetry as well as learning to recite it along with the podcast. Such a fantastic find!
Mama2Nine

Oh, My Goodness! This is the best thing I have heard in a long time.

Knowing Poet Thomas Banks personally I knew his podcast would be good but I was unprepared for how truly lovely it is. This is the perfect podcast for those like me who are longtime lovers of poetry AND for those who are busy trying to teach their children about poetry, something civilization is depending upon moms and dads and teachers to do. Honestly this felt like a meditation app. Just incredibly peaceful and lovely.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.