John Agard explores Light & Darkness in poetry and music

Listen to  Guyanese born British poet John Agard reflect on the many aspects of light and darkness in Literature. The Program Into the Dark was first broadcast on Sunday 17 March and will be available until Sat 23rd. It is 30 minutes of fascinating insights.

John uses excerpts from  literature, mythology and religious thought, as well as music by Nina Simone, Johnny Cash and Richie Havens, as he considers what it means to embrace the darkness. Into the Dark is produced by Alan Hall and is  A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Music Played

Igor Boguslavsky

• Dark is the Night (Tyomnaya Noch)

  Performer: Queensland Symphony Orchestra / Peter Breiner
  Russian Romance, Naxos, 8555331, 2
• 

  Eartha KittI Wanna Be Evil!

  Eartha in New York, Itm, ITM 1493, 2
• 

  The BeatlesBlackbird

  The Beatles [White Album], EMI Music Distribution, CDS 7464438, 11
• 

  Johnny CashMan in Black

  Man in Black: His Greatest Hits, Colombia, 65752, CD 2 / Trk 1
• 

  Nina SimoneBlack is the Colour of my True Love’s Hair

  Nina Simone Collection, EMI, 8661162, 10
• 

  Lady GagaMarry the Night

  Born this Way, Interscope, 2771838, 1
• 

  Richie HavensHere Comes the Sun

  arm Clock, Evangeline, 4061, 1

Listen  on the BBC
Readings
Poem: Reception
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Unpublished

Poem: Under the Cloak
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Unpublished

Poem: What Colour
Book: Yoruba from Cuba: Selected Poems of Nicolas Guillen
Author: Nicolas Guillen
Publisher: Peepal Tree Press
ISBN: 978-1900715973

Poem: Sonnet No. 12
Book: Clever Backbone
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Bloodaxe
ISBN: 978-1852248222

Poem: A Man from the Far Right is having a Nightmare
Book: Travel Light, Travel Dark
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Bloodaxe
ISBN: 978-1852249915

Poem: Travel Light, Travel Dark
Book: Travel Light, Travel Dark
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Bloodaxe
ISBN: 978-1852249915