Late February notebook

Aesthetics of Creating Something This doesn’t just happen: It happens to you. Kenneth Koch, from One Train, p.64 ∞ ‘Even … More

The Next Swim

For a number of reasons –too much grief in my life, too sedentary, too much television, too out … More

Today is the last day of NaBloPoMo, that month in the year when someone decides it is a nice idea … More

Dear God Do you think you could fix it so that I might have some of Martin’s playfulness, his … More

As we draw to the end of NaBloPoMo, I have invited Josephine Corcoran to collaborate with me on a joint-interview. … More

It wasn’t much of a day. I was in noodle-mode, sticking things into my day book, quotes and articles and … More

If you came round for coffee these days you’d be offered decaff. Doctor’s orders, I’d say. And against my better … More

Dean Paul Granny § ‘What students in classrooms say is an exceptionally precious learning resource. Every time a teacher receives … More

A thought occurred to me as I found myself scribbling in a notebook earlier this morning: I have no idea … More

I was asked the other day which poetry blogs I read. Over the next few posts I will be sharing … More

Try to Praise the Mutilated World Try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June’s long days, and wild strawberries, … More

My friend Rupert Loydell has emailed me a list of blog posts curated by Rob Mclennan on writing at the … More

My friend and I were almost at the end of our hour together. Banana cake (me), almond croissant (him). China … More

There I was with my friend, on my second cup of tea. He had just asked me why I do … More

I have begun to acclimatise myself to the fact that the Book is not coming back. To lure it back … More

True to its word, the book has disappeared. There isn’t a trace of it in the house, not even a … More

The Art of Disappearing When they say Don’t I know you? say no. When they invite you to the party … More

‘I think I’m going to be going away for a bit,’ the book says. ‘Give you some space. Let you … More

‘I’ve been reading Wallace Stevens.’ ‘So?’ ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’ ‘I don’t get it.’ ‘Wallace Stevens!’ ‘I know who … More

‘I’ve got some good news,’ the book says. ‘I’ve just written ten new poems.’ ‘Wow, that’s great,’ I say. ‘Are … More

‘I’m depressed,’ the book says. ‘We can’t both be depressed,’ I say. ‘One of us needs to function.’ ‘Well it’s not … More