because of the words
and because of the books
because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths
and the teaching of that paying of attention
because of the should I have heard of you
because of the friendship
to celebrate my gratitude
because once, the blackboard groaning with homework, a teacher stayed behind to say how pleased you had attended their lesson and had you considered reading Lawrence?
because of the influences
and because of the kindness
because once I was dying and now I am not dying
because of Jörn Cann swearing about Arsenal while giving me advice about dying
because of the car parks
because to be recognised first we have to become vulnerable
because of the cost of all this
because of the blanket, which is the shadow and the safe space
because of the readers, known and not known
because of the connections
because it can be taught
because it can be taught
because we love it because someone else loved it enough to make us love it
because without this I’d probably picking up litter
to say thank you
because it changes your life, permanently
because it teaches you to notice
because of the process
because you do not read anything for months and then bam you realise you are alive again
because there are more voices still to be discovered
because of the teachers
because of the students
because of the exhaustion
because once I was dying and now I am not dying
because I know what it is like to be rescued
to take a stand
to say sorry
Anthony Wilson 
Beautiful x
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Thank you so much Em!
All love to all of you
X a
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Absolutely stunning post – your blog has inspired my writing since I fist came across you, but this one blows the socks off all the ones I’ve read so far – and I haven’t gone through all the links yet! First read the tag lines, which by the end I found had moved me to tears… Thank you so much for sharing all this – how generous and wonderful!
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Thank you so much for your kind words Maggie.
You have hit the nail on the head.
Generosity *is* what this is all about.
As ever with best wishes
Anthony
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t
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Hi Ann!
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Mostly, I don’t write anymore…no time (hmm), too busy (repetition), lost confidence, too old, etc … A common list of excuses. Sometimes, I remember how important writing was/is. Sometimes I’m moved by the beauty and simplicity of someone else’s words. Sometimes I am inspired. This post was one of those times. Thank you…
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Thank you so much for saying so.
And this is one of those times for me when I know it is all worth it.
I can’t thank you enough.
You should write though.
With best wishes
Anthony
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Specially liked ‘to be recognised we have to become vulnerable’, which in turn reminded me of the one about the blanket, which I’ve been thinking about all week.
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ps A lot to be said for picking up litter. I always think of it as litterature anyway.
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Love that litterature!
Why have I not seen that before.
Like Michael Laskey telling me Riddance has a dance in it. Deeply affecting. x A
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I shouldn’t say this
but that is my favourite line too
Ax
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Reblogged this on reubenwoolley and commented:
Definitely!
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Thanks for this wonderful trove. It’s going to take some time to work through all the linked articles, but they’re full of inspiration for me!
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Such a wonderful poem/post. Coming late to the party because it was linked on my newsfeed on FB today but no less marvellous for being an older post. I am inspired by your story and your writing, Anthony, thank you.
PS Your blog is on my course reading list with (UEA) WCN and I am loving playing “catch up” wth your blog at the moment. Lots to read, thanks!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and for letting me know I am on your reading list. I’m honoured and delighted. As ever, Anthony
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