麻豆社

Spiders have an image problem - which is why Simon Armitage is keen to have some close encounters with them, as he tries to write a new animal poem.

He has written a lot about animals in the past, but always at a distance. He wants that to change, to feel that he has captured the spirit of an animal and done it justice.

In this episode, the poet laureate walks underneath the blanket-size webs of orb spiders at ZSL London Zoo - and meets Katie, a Mexican red knee spider.

He also reads the poem 'The Spider' by Kathleen Jamie to an arachnid audience, and talks to Kathleen herself to ask what it means to try and occupy the perspective of another creature.

Contributors:
Kathleen Jamie - poet (latest books are 'Cairn' and 'The Keelie Hawk' ) and former Scottish Makar
Jamie Mitchell - ZSL London Zoo
Katie the Mexican Red Kneed Spider

Film clips are from 'The Spider' - 1958 - directed by Bert Ira Gordon

Produced by Faith Lawrence
Mixed by Sharon Hughes (Shush)