The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … More
Author: Anthony Wilson
Guest blog post: Carol Emshwiller’s short stories, by Tania Hershman
“I like writing best because it’s the hardest art. There are more balls to keep in the air at a … More
One of the great functions of art -by Adrienne Rich
One of the great functions of art is to help … More
Out of the Crocodile’s Mouth: a discussion of poetry, education and children, with Michael Rosen and Marina Boroditskaya -from MPT Magazine
Last year MPT Magazine published a brilliant edition wholly dedicated to children’s poetry (Number 2, 2015), titled I Wish… It was one of … More
Tarmac lessons 2
I know I am hardly the first to draw parallels between running and writing. But, for what it is worth, … More
Tarmac lessons
I am still not sure why, but in the middle of December I decided to take up running again. When … More
The fear of poetry -by Muriel Rukeyser
The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we face horizons and conflicts wider than ever before, we want our … More
Guest blog post: A gripping ‘Howdunnit?’, by Simon Parke
This blog is a thrilling ‘Howdunnit?’…possibly. You find me just starting on my fifth murder mystery, you see. I do … More
Steel and Air -a new film of a poem by John Ashbery
Directors Chris and Nick Libbey introduce their film of John Ashbery’s poem: In the heart of Minneapolis stands the Irene Hixon Whitney … More
Dark horses: 21 Lifesaving Poems which should be better known
Readers of this blog will know that I make a list at the end of each year showing the most … More
Poetry is knowledge -by Octavio Paz
Poetry is knowledge, salvation, power abandonment. An operation capable … More
Everything I Know of What I Want to Say
I am delighted to have Everything I Know of What I Want to Say, a new poem, published on Simon … More
Guest blog post: David Ferry’s ‘Lake Water’, by Martyn Crucefix
This is the second in a series of guest blog posts about poets who have been overlooked and who should … More
Researching writers’ engagement with teachers: the Teachers as Writers research project
Along with colleagues from the Arvon Foundation, The Open University and University of Exeter I have just begun … More
Guest blog post: Ted Walker – An Appreciation, by Mike Ferguson
Today marks the start of a new series of guest blog posts on overlooked poets. With thanks to Mike Ferguson … More
New year letter
Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More
The most popular Lifesaving Poems of 2015
Here is a list of the most-read Lifesaving Poems during 2015: Mary Oliver, The Journey UA Fanthorpe, Atlas Ted Hughes, … More
What you read in 2015
This blog would be nothing without its readers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, made a comment or a … More