An American

‘What’s happening?’ ’Nothing,’ I say. ’Doesn’t look like nothing,’ the book says. ‘It looks like you’re brooding. Are you brooding?’ … More

The Irish poet

‘Something looks different,’ the book says. ‘Have you been shaving again?’ ‘You can talk,’ I say. ‘As it happens, … More

To celebrate the life of Mary Oliver, who died a week ago, I present a found poem, taken from the … More

When I first read and began thinking about The Year of Living Deeply one of my instant reactions concerned the impact … More

I was in a waiting room, having cycled, a bit out of breath, a book on my knee, trying to … More

I am deeply honoured to have my poem When The Holy Spirit Danced With Me In My Kitchen used as a … More

(After Andy Brown) Because my children are briefly sleeping under the same roof Becuase Col and Lucy and M and … More

‘So I was thinking,’ the book says. ‘Going anywhere nice for Christmas?’ ’Do you want a lift somewhere?’ I say. … More

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

After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More

Next year is going to be a big year for me. I am going to have two new books out … More

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

I am lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, detoxing from the day, as I do. ‘You all right?’ … More

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

So in an effort to live deeply and not widely, amongst other things I have been looking at the shelves … More

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

Below Zero We are at a party that doesn’t love us. At last the party lets its mask drop and … More

The Curtain Falls Suddenly a life is over – Ends with such serious charades The Dean makes lame quips … More