the prophet came to me with a poor man’s tale of his one ewe lamb sworn to him by seven…
Advent poems 15: ‘There was winter’s cold and moisture’, by Jaan Kaplinski
There was winter’s cold and moisture in the bedclothes, in the walls and floor, our bodies tired from a…
Advent poems 14: The Poet Wearies, by Adélia Prado
The Poet Wearies I’ve had it with being Your herald.Everybody has a voice,why am I the one who has to…
Advent poems 13: from Midnight by Mourid Barghouti
To the victoriousI will send an unsettling messageand these simple questions:enemies,something gives me reason to doubt.All the gods of Olympussupport…
Advent poems 12: Borders, by Peter Carpenter
Borders Ground Floor between Fiction and Poetry. The second time in as many days. It comes at me.…
Afterwards
Greenbelt Festival, Friday 23rd August Outside, it is a very warm 28º. Inside our tented venue the canvass and stage…
Advent poems 11: In Praise of Darkness, by Jorge Louis Borges
In Praise of Darkness Old age (the name that others give it) can be the time of our…
Advent poems 10: Yes, by Muriel Rukeyser
Yes It’s like a tap-dance Or a new pink dress, A shit-naive feeling Saying yes. Some say Good morning Some…
Advent poems 9: Ten Thousand, by Roo Borson
Ten Thousand It is dusk. The birds sweep low to the lake and then dive up. The wind…
Advent poems 8: On Seventh Avenue South, by Malena Mörling
On Seventh Avenue South Walk more slowly now. You will never again step past the boy who has just…
Advent Poems 7: Sycamores at Tulse Hill Station, by Christopher North
Sycamores at Tulse Hill Station The long platform is full. The Sycamores beyond the chain link are moving in…
Advent Poems 6: An Arab Shepherd is Searching for His Goat on Mount Zion
An Arab Shepherd is Searching for His Goat on Mount Zion An Arab shepherd is searching for his goat on…
Advent Poems 5: Final Notations, by Adrienne Rich
Final Notations it will not be simple, it will not be long it will take little time, it will…
Advent Poems 4: A Little Bit About the Soul, by Wisława Szymborska
A Little Bit About the Soul A soul is something we have every now and then. Nobody has one all…
At the teach out
Today I had one of the most precious teaching experiences of my life. Because we are taking strike action…
Advent Poems 3: In a Time of Peace, by Ilya Kaminsky
In a Time of Peace Inhabitant of earth for fortysomething years I once found myself in a peaceful country.…
Advent poems 2: Old Folks Laugh, by Maya Angelou
Old Folks Laugh They have spent their content of simpering, holding their lips this and that way, winding…
On not striking, Ofsted and British values
Once again I find myself in a place that I hoped never to revisit. In 2018, the union I belong…
Lifesaving Poems 