‘Hullo,’ says the book. ‘I thought you had gone away.’ ‘I lied,’ says the book. ‘What are you going to … More
Tag: Being a Poet
‘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
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
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
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: 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
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
Team Wordsworth
‘It’s even true of Ted Hughes.’ I look across at the book, whose head is now slumped on my desk, … 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
The whole gang
‘Are you going to do one?’ ‘Who let you in?’ ‘Are you?’ The book has its feet up on my … More
Oh, but you love writing!
When I write, I feel like an armless, legless many with a crayon in his mouth -Kurt Vonnegut A friend … More
To my fearless guest bloggers
One of the great joys of writing this blog in the last year has been to invite some of my … More
Guest blog post: Strong Heart Songs, by Jo Bell
Anthony often writes that he is ‘at a Thing.’ I go to Things all the time. Poetry World is full … More
On reputation (2)
It’s complicated. There I am in the bookshop, the one we all love, looking for a book. No one is … More