The Sofas, Fogs, and Cinemas I have lived it, and lived it, My nervous, luxury civilisation, My sugar-loving nerves have … More
Tag: Presence
Lifesaving Poems has arrived
Lifesaving Poems has arrived Well, it has finally arrived. The anthology which began life as a blog, which began life as … More
Lifesaving Poems: Juan Ramón Jiménez’s ‘I Am Not I’
I Am Not I I am not I. I am this one walking beside me whom I do not … More
Lifesaving Poems: Czeslaw Milosz’s ‘And Yet the Books’
And Yet the Books And yet the books will be there on the shelves, separate beings,That appeared once, still wetAs … More
A new poem in support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2015
I am delighted to have a new poem, To Spring, published today at Sarah James’s blog, in With You In … More
Nothing to say
‘You’re late,’ the new book says. It is seated at my desk, sleeves rolled up, a mug of steaming coffee … More
We’re done
Ordinary morning sounds from outside drift into the room where I am working. Birdsong. A car being parked. The noise … More
What the internet thinks
‘You looked, didn’t you?’ the book says. ‘What?’ I say. ‘Before you started this.’ ‘What?’ ‘At your stats. You couldn’t … More
You will never be ready
‘What are you waiting for?’ the book says. ‘I’m not ready,’ I say. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘I’m not ready. … More
Autobiography
I wrote a book with my coat I wrote with the coat of my childhood and I wrote with … More
Signs of life
I am watching a particularly bleak episode of Wallander when the book pops its head round the door. It stands … More
You could quit
‘You don’t have to do this you know.’ The book has appeared out of nowhere, while my back was turned … More
The lullaby
I have not left the house in days. I can hear the book pacing around upstairs, but neither of us … More
Identical pizza crusts
It has been a long day. Arriving home late and wanting nothing more than a bath and an early night, … More
The Milkmaid
The book has vanished. I don’t mean left the house, or popped out to see a friend. I mean vanished. … More
Peace offering
I have made the book a peace offering. I snuck out while it was sleeping, found my way back to … More
Lost for words
It is my turn to go out for a walk. The book has slept late, and, not for the first … More
Packing to leave
‘Passport?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Flight info?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Euros?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Underpants?’ The book glares at me. ‘What do you take me for?’ ‘It … More