The damage of haste

The book has been working at my desk, which means it looks as though I have been burgled. ‘I can’t … More

In the bookshop

I have given myself the afternoon off. I have sat for hours in good faith at my desk, all in … More

I am watching a particularly bleak episode of Wallander when the book pops its head round the door. It stands … More

‘You don’t have to do this you know.’ The book has appeared out of nowhere, while my back was turned … More

I have not left the house in days. I can hear the book pacing around upstairs, but neither of us … More

It has been a long day. Arriving home late and wanting nothing more than a bath and an early night, … More

The book has vanished. I don’t mean left the house, or popped out to see a friend. I mean vanished. … More

I have made the book a peace offering. I snuck out while it was sleeping, found my way back to … More

It is my turn to go out for a walk. The book has slept late, and, not for the first … More

We are at the flat. Everything has worked out fine: the journey, our connections and now amazing sense of space. We … More

‘Passport?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Flight info?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Euros?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Underpants?’ The book glares at me. ‘What do you take me for?’ ‘It … More

The book has had a fall, and now we are sitting in a waiting room, waiting to be seen. This … More

We have left the house. At first our walking is clumsy, comical, even. The book is three yards ahead of … More

I am at a thing. Canals are there. Sunlight on them, the last tourists, a shifting of the seasons. ‘Soon … More

I am delighted to have a new poem, ‘Sunlight’, for my dear friend Peter Carpenter, published at The Stare’s Nest. … More

Heaven on Earth Now that it is night, you fetch the wash from outer space, from the frozen … More

because of the words and because of the books because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths … More

It’s hard to describe. One day your are fine, not quite the same (age will do this to you), then … More