One of the central influences on my life is not a poet in the usual sense of the word, … More
Category: Being Creative
The Next Swim
For a number of reasons –too much grief in my life, too sedentary, too much television, too out … More
Creativity: a provocation
You can download the PowerPoint of my talk at Mount Kelly College, on 18 April 2017, here: Creativity_a provocation_Mount Kelly College_April … More
#NaBloPoMo 24 – See you later
Today is the last day of NaBloPoMo, that month in the year when someone decides it is a nice idea … More
#NaBloPoMo 23 – Prayer
Dear God Do you think you could fix it so that I might have some of Martin’s playfulness, his … More
#NaBloPoMo 22 – When Josephine Corcoran interviewed me
As we draw to the end of NaBloPoMo, I have invited Josephine Corcoran to collaborate with me on a joint-interview. … More
#NaBloPoMo 20 – On ambition
It wasn’t much of a day. I was in noodle-mode, sticking things into my day book, quotes and articles and … More
#NaBloPoMo 17 – Coffee? (meditation on a blog post by Josephine Corcoran)
If you came round for coffee these days you’d be offered decaff. Doctor’s orders, I’d say. And against my better … More
#NaBloPoMo 13 – His notebook highlights strewn
Dean Paul Granny § ‘What students in classrooms say is an exceptionally precious learning resource. Every time a teacher receives … More
#NaBloPoMo 8 -Try to Praise the Mutilated World
Try to Praise the Mutilated World Try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June’s long days, and wild strawberries, … More
#NaBloPoMo 6 – The Ottowa Poetry Newsletter
My friend Rupert Loydell has emailed me a list of blog posts curated by Rob Mclennan on writing at the … More
#NaBloPoMo 3 – Inimical to writing
My friend and I were almost at the end of our hour together. Banana cake (me), almond croissant (him). China … More
#NaBloPoMo 2 – My tribe of one
There I was with my friend, on my second cup of tea. He had just asked me why I do … More
Guilty
I have begun to acclimatise myself to the fact that the Book is not coming back. To lure it back … More
The empty house
True to its word, the book has disappeared. There isn’t a trace of it in the house, not even a … More
I can’t work with you any more
‘I think I’m going to be going away for a bit,’ the book says. ‘Give you some space. Let you … More
Reading Wallace Stevens
‘I’ve been reading Wallace Stevens.’ ‘So?’ ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’ ‘I don’t get it.’ ‘Wallace Stevens!’ ‘I know who … More
Ten new poems
‘I’ve got some good news,’ the book says. ‘I’ve just written ten new poems.’ ‘Wow, that’s great,’ I say. ‘Are … More