This is the opening question and answer to an interview with Paul Clyne of Poetry Spotlight, published today. With thanks … More
Category: Poets
Guest blog post: A Mentor: Anthony Glavin, by Mark Granier
Recently, I took our 11-year old boy to see the Turners in the National Gallery of Ireland. These 31 watercolours … More
‘I’m your new book!’
‘Hullo!’ says the book. ‘Have we been introduced?’ I say. ‘I’m your new book!’ ‘But I haven’t finished the last … More
Goodbye
Padding down the stairs to make my mid-morning coffee, I become aware of a large black bag lying in the … More
One of the great functions of art -by Adrienne Rich
One of the great functions of art is to help … More
Out of the Crocodile’s Mouth: a discussion of poetry, education and children, with Michael Rosen and Marina Boroditskaya -from MPT Magazine
Last year MPT Magazine published a brilliant edition wholly dedicated to children’s poetry (Number 2, 2015), titled I Wish… It was one of … 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
Dark horses: 21 Lifesaving Poems which should be better known
Readers of this blog will know that I make a list at the end of each year showing the most … More
Poetry is knowledge -by Octavio Paz
Poetry is knowledge, salvation, power abandonment. An operation capable … More
Everything I Know of What I Want to Say
I am delighted to have Everything I Know of What I Want to Say, a new poem, published on Simon … More
Guest blog post: David Ferry’s ‘Lake Water’, by Martyn Crucefix
This is the second in a series of guest blog posts about poets who have been overlooked and who should … More
Guest blog post: Ted Walker – An Appreciation, by Mike Ferguson
Today marks the start of a new series of guest blog posts on overlooked poets. With thanks to Mike Ferguson … 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
The most popular Lifesaving Poems of 2015
Here is a list of the most-read Lifesaving Poems during 2015: Mary Oliver, The Journey UA Fanthorpe, Atlas Ted Hughes, … 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
Aldeburgh going
‘Which is why Aldeburgh going is such a disaster. It took years to achieve what they did, years. Of slog, … More
Team Wordsworth
‘It’s even true of Ted Hughes.’ I look across at the book, whose head is now slumped on my desk, … More