The great Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli has died, and I am sad. He was 58 and had … More
Tag: Raymond Carver
We have to have great meals
Simply Lit Often toward evening, after another day, after another year of days, in the half dark on the … More
The possibility of shatter
I think I am done. I think. I think, therefore I am done? I think I am. No doubt there … More
An interview with Raymond Carver by Kay Bonetti (1983)
‘You knew how to live in those days’ Peter Sansom Sometime in the early Nineties my friend … More
Meditation on a line by Sherwood Anderson (LentBlog20)
‘I’m trying again. A man has to begin over and over – to try to think and feel only in … More
Doing a Likely Lads (LentBlog19)
Lying awake last night wondering what had become of Theresa May’s deal in Parliament it suddenly occurred to me that … More
Lifesaving Poems: Carrie Fountain’s ‘Poem Without Sleep’
Poem Without Sleep All the things that could happen to the baby came to me last night as I … More
Losing My Ambition
Towards the end of my treatment for cancer in 2006 I had one of the most profound conversations of … More
#NaBloPoMo 22 – When Josephine Corcoran interviewed me
As we draw to the end of NaBloPoMo, I have invited Josephine Corcoran to collaborate with me on a joint-interview. … More
#NaBloPoMo 11 – Fear
Fear after Raymond Carver Fear of cancer returning That phone call in the night Fear of Donald Trump Fear … More
Cooking in a Bedsitter
There is still no sign of the book. I go for a walk; it is not there. I visit our … More
Hugo Williams
In the summer of 1986, when he was poetry editor of New Statesman and not long after Writing Home had … More
Oh, but you love writing!
When I write, I feel like an armless, legless many with a crayon in his mouth -Kurt Vonnegut A friend … More
Goodbye Facebook, it’s been real (?)
Now for the other life. The one without mistakes. –Lou Lipsitz A year ago I found myself not looking at … More
Inside Lifesaving Poems 3
As I have said before, there wasn’t a plan. Which does not mean I don’t feel the luckiest man alive … More
I have read nothing for months
During the Christmas period I am reposting some old posts from my archive. Wishing all my readers a very happy … More
This was just a crow
During the Christmas period I am reposting some old posts from my archive. Wishing all my readers a very happy … More
On poetry and blogging
In preparation for this year’s Aldeburgh Poetry Festival I was asked some questions about my blogging by Festival programmer Dean … More
Lifesaving Poems 