Dear Arthur Frank I’m writing to say thank you for your extraordinary book At the Will of the Body. It is … More
Tag: Cancer
Poetry highlights of 2014
I have so much to be grateful for in 2014. The year began in one of my temporary fits … More
Standing up to cancer?
I am not completely stupid. I know celebrity culture is here to stay. As my children frequently remind me, ‘It … More
The woman at the workshop
I am at a thing. Not a famous thing, but an important one nevertheless. People are there, people you and … More
Poetry and illness
Medicine The black hair of my Chinese doctor gleams like combed ink as he leans over his desk, with quick … More
On not relapsing
A year ago I had a relapse of my cancer. Except I didn’t. For a week or so I knew … More
Influences: Jörn Cann’s art
This is Jörn Cann. He was my ward doctor at the haematology unit where I was treated for non-Hodgkin’s … More
Aldeburgh Poetry Festival Blog Posts
Below is a collection of my blog posts for the 2014 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. I will update it as I … More
Then this
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
The Good, in memory of Anna Craft
My friend and colleague Anna Craft has died. She was famous -if that is the right word- as a researcher … 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
When one poet rescues another poet
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
The Year of Drinking Water, seven years on (free download)
Seven years ago I published The Year of Drinking Water, a pamphlet of poems, about my experience of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Exeter … More
Probably better
A scan, with different initials. The train journey to it, biting nails; the one back pretending not to be radioactive. … More
Lifesaving Poems 