Night Contradicts the Day

From A Reading Life, A Writing Life, with Sally Bayley by Sally Bayley, Andrew Smith

June 8, 2026 · 1h 24m · Episode 96

About this episode

Sally Bayley converses with poet Stephen Romer about his poetry pamphlet 'Night Contradicts the Day' and themes of care and empathy.

‘Hölderlin’s lovely blueness you hold to you, it is tensile through the smeared glass’ This week, we join Sally in conversation with poet, critic, and translator Stephen Romer, following the recent publication of his latest poetry pamphlet, Night Contradicts the Day. Listen for reflections on the intimacies - or otherwise - of care, empathy and its absence, and the challenge laid down by the neurodivergent mind. The poems in this pamphlet also stress the redemptive power of the aesthetic. Stephen’s pamphlet is published by Dare-Gale Press, and can be purchased here. The Lizst piece mentioned is the famous B-Minor Sonata, and can be listened to here. This episode was edited and produced by James Bowen. Special thanks to Andrew Smith, Violet Henderson, Kris Dyer, and Maeve Magnus.

People in this episode

Host: Sally Bayley

Guest: Stephen Romer

Topics covered

poetry
neurodivergence
aesthetic experience
care
empathy

Keywords

Hölderlin
poetry
neurodivergent mind
aesthetic
empathy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dare-Gale Press

Books & works: Night Contradicts the Day, B-Minor Sonata