I am not sure how this is going to turn out. It was something somebody said in response to my … More
Tag: Being a Writer
The Year of Living Deeply 9: Goodbye Facebook, it’s (not really) been real
Dear Facebook I thought I would write to let you know that after years of thinking (and even talking) … More
Lifesaving Poems: Philip Larkin’s ‘Going’
Going There is an evening coming in Across the fields, one never seen before, That lights no lamps. Silken … More
Angry
’Have you seen my coat?’ says the book. ’Nope. You seen mine?’ ’Nope. You look tired. Are you tired?’ ’You … More
An American
‘What’s happening?’ ’Nothing,’ I say. ’Doesn’t look like nothing,’ the book says. ‘It looks like you’re brooding. Are you brooding?’ … More
The Irish poet
‘Something looks different,’ the book says. ‘Have you been shaving again?’ ‘You can talk,’ I say. ‘As it happens, … More
Spirally
‘What’s up?’ says the book. ‘It’s nothing. Really. I’m fine,’ I say. ‘For a person with their head in their … More
The notion of attention: In memory of Mary Oliver
To celebrate the life of Mary Oliver, who died a week ago, I present a found poem, taken from the … More
The Year of Living Deeply 7: Another chance meeting with Ashbery
I was in a waiting room, having cycled, a bit out of breath, a book on my knee, trying to … More
Are you afraid?
‘Are you afraid?’ says the book. ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘Are you?’ ‘Have I upset you in some way?’ … More
No one is watching
‘Happy new year,’ says the book. ’And to you, too,’ I say. ’You all right?’ says the book. ’Fine,’ I … More
Reasons why I am happy to be in the city at the end of December
(After Andy Brown) Because my children are briefly sleeping under the same roof Becuase Col and Lucy and M and … More
Coming home
‘Good Christmas?’ I say. ’Fairytale,’ the book says. ‘Grimm.’ ’Are you here all week?’ ’Unlike some of us.’ ’It was … More
Craving silence
‘So I was thinking,’ the book says. ‘Going anywhere nice for Christmas?’ ’Do you want a lift somewhere?’ I say. … More
What you read in 2018
Here are my most frequently-read blog posts of 2018, according to my WordPress stats. First, from the Lifesaving Poems … More
Blue: What 2018 has taught me
‘What have you learned, do you think?’ the book says. ‘Do you mind, I’m trying to have a bath!’ ‘Now … More
Deck shoes and other enthusiasms
I am delighted to be publishing Deck Shoes, a book of enthusiasms, influences and memoir, with Impress Books, next year. … More
Poems from The Afterlife
After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More