The blank space

Dear Friends Like the closed down (but still creative) shop window of Top Shop I saw on an early morning … More

The bombed cathedral

One of the touchstones that I would add to those I blogged about last week is a marvellous section from … More

The problem with having had the gleam is that for it to mean anything, work has to ensue. I hate … More

When someone asks me am I working on something, I never really know what to say. I want to answer … More

Just over a year ago I wrote a blog post talking about my ‘tired frame of mind’ and intention to … More

The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we facehorizons and conflicts widerthan ever before, we want our resources,the ways … More

I have walked into the grief. I have walked into brave space, mine and others’. I have sat in … More

I am tired. Though I write from a place of privilege and of safety, I am tired. Tired of feeling … More

I can’t be alone in experiencing the coronavirus crisis and resulting lockdown as something of an infringement on my … More

Young Poets’ Stories project update: Today we add a reading resources for young poets page to the Young Poets’ Stories website. … More

Struggling I haven’t had time to stand and fart recently,and you’re wanting me to work on a relationship? That silence … More

Calling all Winning & Highly Commended Foyle Young Poets 2012 – 2019 If you are a young writer who … More

For reasons I cannot go into here, I am finishing 2019 in a tired frame of mind. (I am not … More

Greenbelt Festival, Friday 23rd August Outside, it is a very warm 28º. Inside our tented venue the canvass and stage … More

‘Hello,’ says the book. ‘I’ve missed you.’ ‘I’ve missed you, too,’ I say. I look at the book for a … More

Thank you to the heroic bloggers and poets Josephine Corcoran and Robin Houghton for their recentish posts about their desks. … More

Shute Festival, 13 September, St Michael’s Church The audience in pews. September sunlight and warmth still in the air, light … More

I am delighted to announce that my new book of essays Deck Shoes is now on sale. You can buy it direct … More