On Being Chipper

There were just a few of us in the room, gathered round a table. I had been invited to … More

Cured

A Tuesday, appropriately. (Tuesday being the day I was formally diagnosed.) Poetic, it strikes me now. But at the time, … More

After they left, the house went very quiet. No one really knew about the quietness but me. I played a … More

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

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

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

Here is a list of the most-read Lifesaving Poems during 2015: Mary Oliver, The Journey UA Fanthorpe, Atlas Ted Hughes, … More

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

What I want is to – to be present. That’s what I’ve learned. I want to strive for presence, now, … More

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

As I did last year, I will be taking a break from uploading new posts to this blog over August. … More

This is the link to the podcast of the interview I gave yesterday on the Arena programme, RTE, about … More

because of the words and because of the books because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths … More

It’s hard to describe. One day your are fine, not quite the same (age will do this to you), then … More

Nine years ago today I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. Even though I have … More

Reading Arthur W. Frank’s astonishing At the Will of the Body recently has given me pause to reflect on the relationship … More

Dear Arthur Frank I’m writing to say thank you for your extraordinary book At the Will of the Body. It is … More