Lost poem

I had begun the poem after work one day, on a pad of work-related notes. Get in, get out, I … More

The Arvon effect

When the Arvon student is put in posession of that creative self, which was hitherto inaccessible, two things, in particular, … More

Kenneth Koch on the New York poets

  Being together so much and talking so much and writing poems and showing them to each other so much … More

Guest blog post: Andrew Waterhouse and the seventh syllable, by Helena Nelson

I am delighted to welcome Helena Nelson to continue our series on overlooked poets.   Andrew Waterhouse and the Seventh … More

Peter Bourke

  In 1991 we moved to a house in Brixton, south London. Of all our welcomes, that of our neighbour, … More

Living and breathing Arvon

  ‘I’ve been at the field.’ This, spoken by one of the teachers on last week’s writing residential at Totleigh … More

The Other Writer

I think I need the Other Writer much more than they need me. Off the top of my head I … More

A new poem: The Future

I am delighted to announce that Ink Sweat & Tears have published a new poem, The Future, today. With thanks … More

Giving up writing

Last week I gave up writing. For about a day. I had been given a book by one of my … More

Guest blog post: Away with the Dinosaurs, by Chrissy Williams

I am delighted to welcome Chrissy Williams to enthuse about a poet who may be unfamiliar to UK readers. – … More

Guest blog post: On moving on, by Dean Parkin

I have been sorting. I have been chucking. It’s been the recurring theme over the last eighteen months. I cleared … More

Notebook

At the start of each academic year, usually when I have known them for a week or so, I make … More

Cut-up

The book is sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by small scraps of paper. Some have whole sentences on them. … More

Tearing up the book

‘What are you doing?’ I say. ‘What does it look like?’ the book says. ‘It looks like you are tearing … More

The voice you hear when you write

Writing is about hypnotizing yourself into believing in yourself, getting some work done, then unhypnotyzing yourself and going over the … More

Lifesaving Poems: Langston Hughes’s ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’

The Negro Speaks of Rivers   I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the … More

Lifesaving Poems: Pablo Neruda’s ‘The Dead Woman’ (La Muerta)

The Dead Woman If suddenly you do not exist,if suddenly you no longer live,I shall live on. I do not … More

Lifesaving Poems: Kenneth Rexroth’s ‘The Advantages of Learning’

  The Advantages of Learning I am a man with no ambitions And few friends, wholly incapable Of making a … More