Dear God Do you think you could fix it so that I might have some of Martin’s playfulness, his … More
Tag: Reading
#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 20 – On ambition
It wasn’t much of a day. I was in noodle-mode, sticking things into my day book, quotes and articles and … More
#NaBloPoMo 17 – Coffee? (meditation on a blog post by Josephine Corcoran)
If you came round for coffee these days you’d be offered decaff. Doctor’s orders, I’d say. And against my better … More
#NaBloPoMo 8 -Try to Praise the Mutilated World
Try to Praise the Mutilated World Try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June’s long days, and wild strawberries, … More
#NaBloPoMo 7 – The paradox of poetry, by Seamus Heaney
I have to be honest and say that, in the light of yesterday’s US Election result, I am tempted to … More
#NaBloPoMo 6 – The Ottowa Poetry Newsletter
My friend Rupert Loydell has emailed me a list of blog posts curated by Rob Mclennan on writing at the … More
#NaBloPoMo 5 – Michael Longley interview with Krista Tippett
I feel a great sense of weariness as I look at the current political scene. Domestically, in the UK, we … More
#NaBloPoMo 4 – Sowing in fertile ground
I wasn’t always lazy. As I have written before, I think it became a safety valve for me around the … More
Guilty
I have begun to acclimatise myself to the fact that the Book is not coming back. To lure it back … More
A household name
I turn the radio on and switch it off again, unable to settle to anything. There is still no sign … 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
The empty house
True to its word, the book has disappeared. There isn’t a trace of it in the house, not even a … More
The Half-Finished Heaven, by Tomas Tranströmer
The Half-Finished Heaven Despondency breaks off its course.Anguish breaks off its course.The vulture breaks off its flight. The eager light … More
Tracks, by Tomas Tranströmer
Tracks 2 am: moonlight. The train has stopped out in the middle of the plain. Far away, points of … More
Reading Wallace Stevens
‘I’ve been reading Wallace Stevens.’ ‘So?’ ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’ ‘I don’t get it.’ ‘Wallace Stevens!’ ‘I know who … More
Ten new poems
‘I’ve got some good news,’ the book says. ‘I’ve just written ten new poems.’ ‘Wow, that’s great,’ I say. ‘Are … More
Your worst book
‘I’m depressed,’ the book says. ‘We can’t both be depressed,’ I say. ‘One of us needs to function.’ ‘Well it’s not … More