#NaBloPoMo 7 – The paradox of poetry, by Seamus Heaney

I have to be honest and say that, in the light of yesterday’s US Election result, I am tempted to … More

#NaBloPoMo 5 – Michael Longley interview with Krista Tippett

I feel a great sense of weariness as I look at the current political scene. Domestically, in the UK, we … More

I wasn’t always lazy. As I have written before, I think it became a safety valve for me around 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

There is still no sign of the book. I go for a walk; it is not there. I visit our … More

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

The Half-Finished Heaven Despondency breaks off its course.Anguish breaks off its course.The vulture breaks off its flight. The eager light … More

Tracks 2 am: moonlight. The train has stopped out in the middle of the plain. Far away, points of … 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

The way I found out, just as with my diagnosis, was via a segment of a conversation about other things. … 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

Last Sunday I attended the last ever group meeting and reading of the Mincing Poets, in Exeter. A classic … More

‘I’m tired.’ ‘You’re always saying that.’ ‘But I am.’ ‘Really? Is that what’s really going on?’ ‘I don’t know where … More

‘Are you lonely?’ says the book. ‘Why are you asking?’ ‘Are you?’ ‘Do I look lonely?’ ‘Does it come on … More

‘It’s come back.’ ‘What has?’ says the book. ‘That feeling.’ ‘You’re writing again, that’s great,’ says the book. ‘No, not … More

Dear James (may I call you James?) Though it’s been a while (at least ten years, maybe more) it feels as … More

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the ‘poets I go back to’ idea, that I first came across in … More