Things people said when I had cancer

‘I am so, so sorry.’ ‘You’re going to be fine.’ ‘Fight it, you know you’re a fighter.’ ‘Are we going … More

Ten years today

This is a momentous week. It marks the tenth anniversary of the day I was told I had cancer. To … More

The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … More

One of the great functions of art is to help … More

The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we face horizons and conflicts wider than ever before, we want our … More

Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More

This blog would be nothing without its readers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, made a comment or a … More

‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More

Anthony often writes that he is ‘at a Thing.’ I go to Things all the time. Poetry World is full … More

There is a certain jubilation and truancy at the heart of an inspiration […a] liberation and abundance which is the … More

It’s complicated. Say you are out and about and want to buy a cup of coffee. I’m not going there, … More

‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as … More

An event of this magnitude Overshadows the destruction of the Berlin Wall And the troubles in the Caucasus. –Robert Rehder, … More

I first met Maurice in the sitting room of a mutual friend, a lifelong Labour supporter, the night after the … More

‘80% of success is showing up.’ -Woody Allen I was chatting with a student the other day when I said … More

If you’re not enough without the gold medal, you’ll never be enough with it. – John Candy, Cool Runnings I did not … More

That CK Williams has died. More than two weeks ago! One of my heroes. This is the first thing I … More

Now for the other life. The one without mistakes. –Lou Lipsitz A year ago I found myself not looking at … More