I had bumped into a friend at the cash machine. We greeted each other, as we always do, with a … More
Category: Dying
Dreaming about X
I dreamt about my friend X last night. I don’t think I normally dream about him, and don’t recall having … More
What drives you?
‘What drives you?’ ‘I’ve only just woken up!’ I say to the book. ‘Don’t care. It’s morning. Work to be … More
Cancer vs. chipper
The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … 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
A day he won’t have
I had bumped into a friend at the cash machine. We greeted each other, as we always do, with a … More
Guest blog post: Writing my way through bereavement, by Sue Hepworth
Writing my way through bereavement I don’t approve of death. I’m with Edna St Vincent Millay: I am not … More
Guest Blog Post: Don’t Think About A White Horse, by Kate Bowles
Don’t Think About A White Horse Coming closer, he turns out to be you – or nearly. Once you … More
Why do it?
because of the words and because of the books because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths … More
Poetry and illness
Medicine The black hair of my Chinese doctor gleams like combed ink as he leans over his desk, with quick … More
This is the day
I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More
Then this
Then this. We are sitting with hospital mugs of tea, in the Quiet Room. We are all leaning forward, listening … More
The most read Lifesaving Poems of 2013
These are the most read Lifesaving Poems posts of 2013. Mary Oliver, ‘The Journey’ I first read this on … More
Lifesaving Poems: Emily Riall’s ‘Duty Psychiatrist’
Emily Riall will be a new name to many readers of this blog. She was a fine young poet … More
When one poet rescues another poet
I came across Hubert Moore’s fantastic book of poems The Hearing Room (Shoetstring, 2006) via my friend and neighbour Lawrence Sail. In … More
Review of Love for Now and Riddance
Tomorrow the Church Times publishes a combined review of my memoir of cancer Love for Now and Riddance, my … More
8 great books about dying
The chances are, more of us are mortal than have multiple orgasms -Violet Weingarten, Intimations of Mortality When I was diagnosed … More
When Your Friend is Diagnosed with Cancer
If you have a friend who is diagnosed with cancer, the best thing to do in terms of what to … More