On this week’s podcast, Mark Oakley explores the role of lament in the midst of a pandemic, and how the poetry of R. S. Thomas can help us to find a voice.

His talk given at the R. S. Thomas and ME Eldridge Society Festival last Saturday, in association with the Church Times.

The online festival brought together people with an appreciation of the literary and artistic works, musical compositions, people and places associated with R. S. Thomas and M. E. Eldridge. Purchase a ticket here to access a recording of the entire event.

Find out about other forthcoming Church Times online events here.

Canon Mark Oakley is Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge, and the author of The Splash of Words: Believing in poetry (Canterbury Press), which won the 2019 Michael Ramsey Prize.

Click the play button above to listen to this podcast. You can also listen to the Church Times Podcast on the Church Times app for iPhone and iPad, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and most other podcast platforms.