This time last year, I had begun a third period waiting for a response to a new manuscript of poems. … More
Category: Writing Poems
Head. Space.
As the book might say, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? As the book also might say, I have been … More
The bombed cathedral
One of the touchstones that I would add to those I blogged about last week is a marvellous section from … More
Praise the Rain
Praise the Rain Praise the rain; the seagull diveThe curl of plant, the raven talk—Praise the hurt, the house slackThe … More
But I’m a poet
The book is in its gardening clothes. ‘I’m going out,’ it says. ‘You’ve let the lawn go again.’ ‘You can’t … 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
Tarmac lessons 2
I know I am hardly the first to draw parallels between running and writing. But, for what it is worth, … More
Tarmac lessons
I am still not sure why, but in the middle of December I decided to take up running again. When … More
Poetry is knowledge -by Octavio Paz
Poetry is knowledge, salvation, power abandonment. An operation capable … More
Working the room
‘So is that your main idea?’ ‘That’s it, yes.’ ‘That people get stuff done out of a social need to … More
Why poetry matters
The value of poetry is that it should matter … first to the writer and then to the reader. Michael … More
Guest Post: How I put The Art of Falling together, by Kim Moore
How I put The Art of Falling together In May 2012 my first pamphlet If We Could Speak Like Wolves … More
The Invisible College
I have just come back from a thing. I am tired. A good afternoon of good conversation about large, important … More
A new poem in support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2015
I am delighted to have a new poem, To Spring, published today at Sarah James’s blog, in With You In … More
Why must we write?
The poem that came into my mind on waking up this morning and hearing the General Election result is Mark … More
The Parable of the Book (free eBook)
For those of you who have been enjoying my series of adventures with ‘the book’, here is a free eBook … More
Nothing to say
‘You’re late,’ the new book says. It is seated at my desk, sleeves rolled up, a mug of steaming coffee … More
The new book
It is drizzling. The house is empty, the road outside quiet. It’s just as the book said it would be, … More