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

I am still not sure why, but in the middle of December I decided to take up running again. When … More

The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we face horizons and conflicts wider than ever before, we want our … More

This blog is a thrilling ‘Howdunnit?’…possibly. You find me just starting on my fifth murder mystery, you see. I do … More

Readers of this blog will know that I make a list at the end of each year showing the most … More

Poetry is knowledge, salvation, power abandonment. An operation capable … More

I am delighted to have Everything I Know of What I Want to Say, a new poem, published on Simon … More

Along with colleagues from the Arvon Foundation, The Open University and University of Exeter I have just begun … More

Today marks the start of a new series of guest blog posts on overlooked poets. With thanks to Mike Ferguson … More

Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More

This blog would be nothing without its readers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, made a comment or a … More

‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More

‘Which is why Aldeburgh going is such a disaster. It took years to achieve what they did, years. Of slog, … More

‘It’s even true of Ted Hughes.’ I look across at the book, whose head is now slumped on my desk, … More

‘So is that your main idea?’ ‘That’s it, yes.’ ‘That people get stuff done out of a social need to … More

‘Are you going to do one?’ ‘Who let you in?’ ‘Are you?’ The book has its feet up on my … More

When I write, I feel like an armless, legless many with a crayon in his mouth -Kurt Vonnegut A friend … More