Great Regulars: Carol Ann Duffy reads the poem

she wrote after David Beckham's ankle injury.

from Carol Ann Duffy: BBC News: David Beckham's ankle immortalised by poet laureate

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I invited the poets here to write, in any way they chose, about ageing. Our society, I believe, is turning gradually away from its obsession with "yoof" and "slebs". We are beginning to realise that we face, at the very least, an uncertain future, one in which wisdom and experience--and respect--will need to be accorded a more important role. A good place to start is to read and listen to some of our most distinguished poets and, through them, to assert the importance of poetry in our culture. As poet laureate, it is a privilege to say to these poets, on behalf of their readers and the poets who follow on from them, a loud thank you.

Listen to a selection of the poets reading their poems

The Old Gods
By Dannie Abse
Listen to Dannie Abse reading "The Old Gods"

from Carol Ann Duffy: The Guardian: Older and wiser: Carol Ann Duffy introduces poems of ageing
also The Guardian: Dannie Abse--The Old Gods
also The Guardian: Fleur Adcock--Mrs Baldwin
also The Guardian: Linda Chase--Old Flame
also The Guardian: Maureen Duffy--That Time Of Year Thou Mayst In Me Behold
also The Guardian: Ruth Fainlight--Ageing
also The Guardian: Elaine Feinstein--Long Life
also The Guardian: Anthony Thwaite--Silence

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