#NaBloPoMo 11 – Fear

Fear  after Raymond Carver   Fear of cancer returning That phone call in the night Fear of Donald Trump Fear … More

#NaBloPoMo 10 – I have no idea what I’m doing

A thought occurred to me as I found myself scribbling in a notebook earlier this morning: I have no idea … More

#NaBloPoMo 8 -Try to Praise the Mutilated World

Try to Praise the Mutilated World   Try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June’s long days, and wild strawberries, … More

#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 6 – The Ottowa Poetry Newsletter

My friend Rupert Loydell has emailed me a list of blog posts curated by Rob Mclennan on writing at the … 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

#NaBloPoMo 4 – Sowing in fertile ground

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

#NaBloPoMo 3 – Inimical to writing

My friend and I were almost at the end of our hour together.  Banana cake (me), almond croissant (him). China … More

#NaBloPoMo 2 – My tribe of one

There I was with my friend, on my second cup of tea. He had just asked me why I do … More

#NaBloPoMo 1 – I am lazy

You write a blog post every day since the middle of July. It goes fine. But just as you begin … More

Guilty

I have begun to acclimatise myself to the fact that the Book is not coming back. To lure it back … More

A household name

I turn the radio on and switch it off again, unable to settle to anything. There is still no sign … More

Cooking in a Bedsitter

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

The empty house

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

I can’t work with you any more

‘I think I’m going to be going away for a bit,’ the book says. ‘Give you some space. Let you … More

The Half-Finished Heaven, by Tomas Tranströmer

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, by Tomas Tranströmer

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

Reading Wallace Stevens

‘I’ve been reading Wallace Stevens.’ ‘So?’ ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’ ‘I don’t get it.’ ‘Wallace Stevens!’ ‘I know who … More