What you read in 2018

Here are my most frequently-read blog posts of 2018, according to my WordPress stats. First, from the Lifesaving Poems … More

Blue: What 2018 has taught me

‘What have you learned, do you think?’ the book says. ‘Do you mind, I’m trying to have a bath!’ ‘Now … More

I am delighted to be publishing Deck Shoes, a book of enthusiasms, influences and memoir, with Impress Books, next year. … More

‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’ the book says. ‘Why are you wearing my slippers?’ I say. … More

I have been writing recently about going deeper, not wider. Listening to music I already possess, reading the books already … More

The book is looking at me from across the room. It is dressed smartly, but not to impress. It looks … More

Remember when you got the news of the accident- or the illness- in the life of someone more laced into … More

We are in Richard and Andi’s kitchen in their minuscule flat on the Wandsworth Road in the early nineties. Richard … More

S … More

Poem Without Sleep All the things that could happen to the baby came to me last night as I … More

Reading Frank O’Hara in the Hospital 1 The IV drips its slow news. So long, lean and turbulent morning! … More

Here is a story about a recent failure of mine. It all started with an idea, which I knew, just … More

‘What else are you guilty about?’ ‘Most things,’ I say. ‘It doesn’t stop with poetry, you know. Or those unread … More

’Anything else?’ the book says. ’What do you mean?’ ’That you want to tell me?’ There is a long silence, … More

‘What you reading?’ says the book. ‘Nothing.’ ‘No need to be shy,’ says the book. ‘Go on, what is it?’ … More

‘What’s wrong?’ says the book. ‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘Liar.’ ‘Am not.’ ‘Are.’ ‘Aren’t.’ ‘Pants on fire. You’re hopeless. You should … More

One of the central influences on my life is not a poet in the usual sense of the word, … More

Towards the end of my treatment for cancer in 2006 I had one of the most profound conversations of … More