Waiting to be found out

‘It’s come back.’ ‘What has?’ says the book. ‘That feeling.’ ‘You’re writing again, that’s great,’ says the book. ‘No, not … More

All the poets on Twitter

‘I’ve been busy,’ says the book. ‘How?’ I say. ‘Twitter!’ says the book. ‘It’s great fun, you should try it.’ … More

Open letter to James Schuyler

Dear James (may I call you James?) Though it’s been a while (at least ten years, maybe more) it feels as … More

The poem as love affair

I have started the poem but the poem does not know it yet. I am more than flirting with it, … More

Go-to poet?

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the ‘poets I go back to’ idea, that I first came across in … More

Hectic

‘What are you adding?’ ‘Me. I’m adding me. By being here. Even when I am saying nothing.’ ‘That’s your answer … More

Open letter: in memory of Janet Fisher

And though I only met you once, your influence on me is massive, or should that be was I don’t … More

It’s gone

‘It’s gone.’ ‘What has?’ ‘It. This. Everything.’ ‘The chair is still here. I’m still here.’ ‘I don’t mean the chair. … More

The echo chamber

‘It gets harder.’ ‘What does?’ ‘It. Everything. Teaching. Writing. Listening to you.’ ‘I didn’t see that coming.’ ‘You never do.’ … More

What people say they have been up to on Twitter

‘I’m tired.’ ‘You said,’ says the book. ‘No, I mean, I’m tired. Of my handwriting.’ ‘What’s wrong with it? It’s … More

The way I felt when I first heard Public Enemy

‘You look tired.’ ‘I am tired,’ I say. ‘But term hasn’t even started yet. You’re not match fit. Just you … More

Moral ethics

‘I’m tired.’ ‘Go to sleep then,’ the book says. ‘There’s plenty for me to be getting on with while you’re … More

No one you know

‘You look upset.’ ‘I am upset,’ I say. ‘Well, not so much upset as disappointed.’ ‘Want to talk about it?’ … More

The point is the silence

  ‘I’ve stopped listening to the radio!’ ‘What, completely?’ the book says. ‘Not completely, I’m not an idiot,’ I say. … More

Gazing out of someone else’s window

‘Where have you been?’ the book says. ‘Where have you been?’ ‘Here, waiting for you,’ the book says. ‘Working.’ ‘Same … More

I hope your new book is a disaster

‘How’s it going then?’ ‘What going?’ ‘Your ‘New Book’,’ says the book. ‘Fine, thanks,’ I say. ‘No early difficulties with … More

Starting a new book

‘Where have you been?’ ‘Out,’ I say. ‘You were out for a long time,’ the book says. ‘Days.’ ‘I was … More

Lifesaving Poems: Marie Howe’s ‘Prayer’

Concluding this mini-series of poems I shared in my reading at the Greenbelt festival last weekend, here is Prayer by Marie … More