OK to talk about cancer

‘I heard the most amazing thing today. It was a bloke off the radio, don’t remember his name, does that … More

Breathing Space July, by Tomas Tranströmer

Breathing Space July The man who lies on his back under huge trees is also up in them. He … More

The only real difference between people is not health or illness but the way each holds onto a sense of … More

‘Do you miss it?’ the book says. ‘Miss what?’ I say. ‘Having cancer,’ the book says. ‘Is this a joke?’ … More

‘What drives you?’ ‘I’ve only just woken up!’ I say to the book. ‘Don’t care. It’s morning. Work to be … More

On certain afternoons I am certain it has come back. A twinge in my right side, where the pain … More

Made of orange card, it’s an outline of my son’s hand. Comprising two sections, one his tiny, spread fingers, … More

At the start of each academic year, usually when I have known them for a week or so, I make … More

I am not sure why I started wearing deck shoes. I am no sailor -I have been on a sailing … More

This is the opening question and answer to an interview with Paul Clyne of Poetry Spotlight, published today. With thanks … More

We walked into the brunt light, towards the hospital. The air was dry, February-cold. Traffic was going about its business. … More

‘I am so, so sorry.’ ‘You’re going to be fine.’ ‘Fight it, you know you’re a fighter.’ ‘Are we going … More

This is a momentous week. It marks the tenth anniversary of the day I was told I had cancer. To … More

The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … More

Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More

This blog would be nothing without its readers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, made a comment or a … More

‘So you’re not going to write about it?’ ‘I’ve been writing about it for years. Two whole books of it! … More

When I write, I feel like an armless, legless many with a crayon in his mouth -Kurt Vonnegut A friend … More