Consider what value, What meaning Is enclosed even In the smallest Of our daily habits, In the hundred possessions Which … More
Tag: Presence
A need to answer, by Robert Pinsky
An artist needs not so much an audience as to feel a need to answer, a promise to respond. … More
Why did I write it down?, by Joan Didion
Why did I write it down? In order to remember. Of course, but exactly what was it I wanted to … More
On noticing, by Verlyn Klinkenborg
Is it possible to practice noticing? I think so. But I also think it requires a suspension of yearning and … More
I want to disappear
‘I’ve lost my nerve,’ says the book. ‘It’s gone, can’t do it any more. I’m done.’ ‘You haven’t of course, … More
Influence
‘Did you hear?’ says the book. ‘Ted Hughes’s brother has died.’ ‘I did see that, yes,’ I say. ’95, though. … More
Looking for Ted Hughes
‘I’ve been out,’ says the book. ‘So I see,’ I say. The book is dressed in a pith helmet and … More
Hanging out the washing
‘What are you doing?’ ‘What’s it look like?’ I say. ‘Hanging out the washing,’ the book says. ‘That’s right. I’m … More
The Little Prince
‘I need to get away.’ ‘But there’s work to be done,’ says the book. ‘A holiday. That’s what I need.’ … More
A sense of wonder, by Arthur Frank
The only real difference between people is not health or illness but the way each holds onto a sense of … More
The preciousness of things
‘Do you miss it?’ the book says. ‘Miss what?’ I say. ‘Having cancer,’ the book says. ‘Is this a joke?’ … More
Running a bath
‘What are you doing?’ the book says. ‘What’s it look like?’ I say. ‘Running a bath,’ the book says. ‘Genius,’ … More
Guarding the threshold
‘What will you miss most?’ the book says. ‘About what?’ I say. ‘Me,’ says the book. ‘I didn’t know you … More
Some found poems
Recently I have featured prose writing by various writers, reshaping them in the form of found poems. Annie Dillard on … More
What drives you?
‘What drives you?’ ‘I’ve only just woken up!’ I say to the book. ‘Don’t care. It’s morning. Work to be … More
Needing to be liked
‘You know what your main problem is,’ the book says. ‘Needing to be liked.’ ‘That’s a good thing, isn’t it?’ … More
Interview with the book
‘Aren’t you going get the phone?’ I say. ‘It won’t be for me.’ With a little groan the book … More
The book is fifty blog posts old
The adventures of the book have now clocked up fifty blog posts. Here is a list of all of them, … More