Past fifty

Well, it’s happening. Happened, I mean. Stuff I thought would last forever -film titles, the actors in them, scenes of … More

Adélia Prado’s tone

She started as a name. There I was, following my nose, minding my own business, trying to ignore all instincts … More

Influences: Alan Booth

Alan Booth wasn’t the first teacher to teach me something, but he was the first who drew me into the … More

Poetry vs 9/11

  I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work … More

Influences: Peter Bourke

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

Lifesaving Poems: the book

Photograph © Bloodaxe Books Ltd I am delighted to announce that my Lifesaving Poems series of blog posts has now become … More

Influence

  I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work … More

Ann Gray’s genius

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

This is the day

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

Saying goodbye to Smiths Knoll

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

T.S. Eliot’s ‘Hysteria’

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

Losing my ambition

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

Poetry exhaustion

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

To my cancer

I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More

Just one thing

It all started with two remarks, one by a friend, the other by a stranger at work. ß The friend’s … More

Not exactly fearless

  Someone who knows me very well knocked me sideways with a comment the other day. Remarking on this blog, … More

It is summer for months

It Is Summer for Months   Clothes are skimpy and tans are got without flight bags. We saunter beside a … More

Lifesaving Poems: Naomi Shihab Nye’s ‘The Art of Disappearing’

The Art of Disappearing When they say Don’t I know you?say no. When they invite you to the partyremember what … More