This is a momentous week. It marks the tenth anniversary of the day I was told I had cancer. To … More
Category: Life Lessons
Cancer vs. chipper
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 -by Adrienne Rich
One of the great functions of art is to help … More
The fear of poetry -by Muriel Rukeyser
The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we face horizons and conflicts wider than ever before, we want our … More
New year letter
Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … 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
Always the people
‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More
Guest blog post: Strong Heart Songs, by Jo Bell
Anthony often writes that he is ‘at a Thing.’ I go to Things all the time. Poetry World is full … More
On truancy
There is a certain jubilation and truancy at the heart of an inspiration […a] liberation and abundance which is the … More
On reputation
It’s complicated. Say you are out and about and want to buy a cup of coffee. I’m not going there, … More
Mowing the lawn with Maura Dooley
‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as … More
Lost notebook
An event of this magnitude Overshadows the destruction of the Berlin Wall And the troubles in the Caucasus. –Robert Rehder, … More
About Maurice
I first met Maurice in the sitting room of a mutual friend, a lifelong Labour supporter, the night after the … More
KBO
‘80% of success is showing up.’ -Woody Allen I was chatting with a student the other day when I said … More
What I learned this week
That CK Williams has died. More than two weeks ago! One of my heroes. This is the first thing I … More
Goodbye Facebook, it’s been real (?)
Now for the other life. The one without mistakes. –Lou Lipsitz A year ago I found myself not looking at … More
Guest blog post: Poetry and Work, by Shawna Lemay
Poetry and Work I recently took out a book via Interlibrary loan called, The Mind at Work: Valuing the … More
Guest blog post: Travelling without a visa, by Finuala Dowling
Travelling without a visa It seems to me that all writing comes from a place of resistance inside – … More