In this milestone 10th episode of 'Beyond the Verse,' hosts Joe and Maiya welcome Will, the founder of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+ to share his journey, insights and learnings in the 10+ years he's been running the site.

Will shares his journey of creating the website as a young entrepreneur, inspired by his GCSE revision notes, which has now grown into a significant resource for students and poetry enthusiasts online. They delve into his relationship with poetry, the future directions for his website, and discuss his relationship with user comments and questions, among some that deeply impacted him.

Throughout the episode, they explore favourite poems, the emotional impact of poetry, themes for contest submissions, and the challenges and importance of translating poetry. The episode also highlights the community and charitable aspects associated with PoemAnalysis.com, including donations to Teenage Cancer Trust, Alzheimer's Research and Great Ormond Street, among many others.

If any of the stories in this podcast are close to your heart, or inspire you to donate, you can click the link to our charity page, which will allow you to go direct to each charity site and pay it forward. Thank you in advance for all your amazing support.

As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this week’s episode of "Beyond the Verse", brought to you by PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya take a deep dive into William Butler Yeats’ apocalyptic poem 'The Second Coming'. They explore Yeats’ use of biblical allusions, the recurring themes of societal collapse, and his cyclical view of history, which reflects the chaos and uncertainty of the post-World War I era.

Join the discussion as Joe and Maiya dissect Yeats’ background, his views on revolution and change, and how The Second Coming captures a world on the brink of a new, ominous era. They explore the poem’s opening lines, the metaphor of the falcon and the falconer, and the chilling imagery of the “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem.

Get exclusive PDFs on 'The Second Coming' available to Poetry+ users:

• Full PDF Guide
• Poetry Snapshot PDF
• Poem Printable PDF
  • with Rhyme Scheme
  • with Meter Syllables
  • with both Rhyme and Meter

Some other useful PDFs as part of Poetry+:

• William Butler Yeats PDF Guide
• First World War Poets PDF Guide
• Irish Literary Revival PDF Guide

For more in-depth analysis of Yeats and his works, visit PoemAnalysis.com, where you can access a wide range of analyzed poems and resources in our extensive PDF Learning Library.

Tune in and Discover:

• Yeats’ apocalyptic vision in 'The Second Coming'
• The biblical and classical allusions in the poem
• How Yeats’ personal life and the political landscape shaped his work
• The unsettling relevance of 'The Second Coming' in today’s world

As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into Rudyard Kipling’s renowned poem ‘If—,’ exploring its lasting legacy and the complex interplay between Victorian ideals, masculinity, and Kipling’s own life experiences.

They discuss ‘If—' (1895), examining not only the poem’s advice-filled verses but also its cultural impact and Kipling’s relationship with his son, John. Joe and Maiya navigate the poem’s contradictions, the societal expectations it reflects, and the broader implications of Kipling’s imperialist beliefs on his work.

Get exclusive PDFs on ‘If’ available to Poetry+ users:

• Full PDF Guide
• Poetry Snapshot PDF
• Poem Printable PDF
  • with Rhyme Scheme
  • with Meter Syllables
  • With both Rhyme and Meter

For more insights into Kipling’s poetry, visit PoemAnalysis.com, where you can explore a wide range of analyzed poems, with thousands of PDFs, resources in our extensive PDF Learning Library, and more - see our Rudyard Kipling PDF Guide.

Plus, stay tuned for recommendations on poets who engage with themes similar to Kipling’s work!

Tune in and Discover:

• Kipling’s role in Victorian literature and his complicated legacy
• Key themes in ‘If’ and their relevance today
• The impact of Kipling’s personal life on his poetry
• The enduring popularity and controversy surrounding ‘If’

As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.