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

Marking cancer (by not marking it)

‘So you’re not going to write about it?’ ‘I’ve been writing about it for years. Two whole books of it! … More

‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More

‘Which is why Aldeburgh going is such a disaster. It took years to achieve what they did, years. Of slog, … More

‘It’s even true of Ted Hughes.’ I look across at the book, whose head is now slumped on my desk, … More

‘So is that your main idea?’ ‘That’s it, yes.’ ‘That people get stuff done out of a social need to … More

‘Are you going to do one?’ ‘Who let you in?’ ‘Are you?’ The book has its feet up on my … More

When I write, I feel like an armless, legless many with a crayon in his mouth -Kurt Vonnegut A friend … More

Anthony often writes that he is ‘at a Thing.’ I go to Things all the time. Poetry World is full … More

Dear Michael I picked up your book the other day and wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying … More

It’s complicated. There I am in the bookshop, the one we all love, looking for a book. No one is … More

There is a certain jubilation and truancy at the heart of an inspiration […a] liberation and abundance which is the … More

It’s complicated. Say you are out and about and want to buy a cup of coffee. I’m not going there, … More

I arrive late back at the house. It is already dark. The usual reassuring things are there: unopened mail, the … More

Teachers’ words should not be ‘How to write’ but ‘How to try to say what you really mean’ – which … More

‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as … More

An event of this magnitude Overshadows the destruction of the Berlin Wall And the troubles in the Caucasus. –Robert Rehder, … More

The value of poetry is that it should matter … first to the writer and then to the reader. Michael … More