Lifesaving Poems: Sean O’Brien’s ‘Before’

To safe and almost universal silence I published How Far From Here is Home? (Stride) a few days before Christmas … More

Saying goodbye

I want to congratulate you on passing this course and achieving QTS in this uniquely difficult and strange year. None … More

Calling all Winning & Highly Commended Foyle Young Poets 2012 – 2019 If you are a young writer who … More

Today I had one of the most precious teaching experiences of my life. Because we are taking strike action … More

Once again I find myself in a place that I hoped never to revisit. In 2018, the union I belong … More

Ann Sansom is one of my all-time favourite people, poets or normal, ever. I count myself fortunate to have worked … More

That isn’t me in the photo, though it could be. A bald man in vaguely sportif clothing trying to take an … More

It’s a funny feeling, almost new each time I experience it, an anticipation of loss that is somehow fresh and … More

The Curtain Falls Suddenly a life is over – Ends with such serious charades The Dean makes lame quips … More