Ep 49. Gemma Mahadeo on Ted Hughes and Fred D’Aguiar

In an episode that spans countries, languages and histories, Melbourne poet Gemma Mahadeo shares the poem Calypso History Lesson from Fred D’Aguiar’s book The Rose of Toulouse. We start off with some thoughts on Ted Hughes’ Crow before D’Aguiar’s poem takes us in all sorts of directions, from Hansonism to urban foxes to West Indian cricket commentary.

Show notes

  • The Vulture Goddess from Fred D’Aguiar’s American Vulture.
  • The Story in History: interview with D’Aguiar on the place of history in his work.
  • ‘There is no sophistry in my body: / My manners are tearing off heads – ’ is from Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes.