the prophet came to mewith a poor man’s taleof his one ewe lambsworn to him by sevenpieces of gold and…
Archive
Advent poems 15: ‘There was winter’s cold and moisture’, by Jaan Kaplinski
There was winter’s cold and moisturein the bedclothes, in the walls and floor,our bodies tired from a long day’s…
Advent poems 14: The Poet Wearies, by Adélia Prado
The Poet Wearies I’ve had it with being Your herald.Everybody has a voice,why am I the one who has to…
Advent poems 13: from Midnight by Mourid Barghouti
To the victoriousI will send an unsettling messageand these simple questions:enemies,something gives me reason to doubt.All the gods of Olympussupport…
Advent poems 12: Borders, by Peter Carpenter
Borders Ground Floor between Fiction and Poetry.The second time in as many days. It comes at me.The smell from…
Afterwards
Greenbelt Festival, Friday 23rd August Outside, it is a very warm 28º. Inside our tented venue the canvass and stage…
Advent poems 11: In Praise of Darkness, by Jorge Louis Borges
In Praise of Darkness Old age (the name that others give it)can be the time of our greatest bliss.The…
Advent poems 10: Yes, by Muriel Rukeyser
Yes It’s like a tap-danceOr a new pink dress,A shit-naive feelingSaying yes. Some say Good morningSome say God bless –Some…
Advent poems 9: Ten Thousand, by Roo Borson
Ten Thousand It is dusk. The birds sweep low to the lake and then diveup. The wind picks a few…
Advent poems 8: On Seventh Avenue South, by Malena Mörling
On Seventh Avenue South Walk more slowly now.You will never again step pastthe boy who has just reached 51,000,094,246.He can…
Advent Poems 7: Sycamores at Tulse Hill Station, by Christopher North
Sycamores at Tulse Hill Station The long platform is full.The Sycamores beyond the chain linkare moving in morning wind,their leaves…
Advent Poems 6: An Arab Shepherd is Searching for His Goat on Mount Zion
An Arab Shepherd is Searching for His Goat on Mount Zion An Arab shepherd is searching for his goat on…
Advent Poems 5: Final Notations, by Adrienne Rich
Final Notations it will not be simple, it will not be longit will take little time, it will take all…
Advent Poems 4: A Little Bit About the Soul, by Wisława Szymborska
A Little Bit About the Soul A soul is something we have every now and then.Nobody has one all the…
At the teach out
Today I had one of the most precious teaching experiences of my life. Because we are taking strike action…
Advent Poems 3: In a Time of Peace, by Ilya Kaminsky
In a Time of Peace Inhabitant of earth for fortysomething yearsI once found myself in a peaceful country. I…
Advent poems 2: Old Folks Laugh, by Maya Angelou
Old Folks Laugh They have spent theircontent of simpering,holding their lips thisand that way, windingthe lines betweentheir brows. Old folksallow…
On not striking, Ofsted and British values
Once again I find myself in a place that I hoped never to revisit. In 2018, the union I belong…
