The Advantages of Learning I am a man with no ambitions And few friends, wholly incapable Of making a … More
Tag: Reading
An interview with Poetry Spotlight
This is the opening question and answer to an interview with Paul Clyne of Poetry Spotlight, published today. With thanks … More
Guest blog post: A Mentor: Anthony Glavin, by Mark Granier
Recently, I took our 11-year old boy to see the Turners in the National Gallery of Ireland. These 31 watercolours … More
Out of the Crocodile’s Mouth: a discussion of poetry, education and children, with Michael Rosen and Marina Boroditskaya -from MPT Magazine
Last year MPT Magazine published a brilliant edition wholly dedicated to children’s poetry (Number 2, 2015), titled I Wish… It was one of … More
The fear of poetry -by Muriel Rukeyser
The Fear of Poetry In this moment when we face horizons and conflicts wider than ever before, we want our … More
Dark horses: 21 Lifesaving Poems which should be better known
Readers of this blog will know that I make a list at the end of each year showing the most … More
Guest blog post: David Ferry’s ‘Lake Water’, by Martyn Crucefix
This is the second in a series of guest blog posts about poets who have been overlooked and who should … More
Guest blog post: Ted Walker – An Appreciation, by Mike Ferguson
Today marks the start of a new series of guest blog posts on overlooked poets. With thanks to Mike Ferguson … More
New year letter
Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More
The most popular Lifesaving Poems of 2015
Here is a list of the most-read Lifesaving Poems during 2015: Mary Oliver, The Journey UA Fanthorpe, Atlas Ted Hughes, … More
Always the people
‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More
Guest blog post: Endings and Legacies, by Naomi Jaffa
In terms of my poetry world, 2015 has turned out to be a year of endings and legacies. The Poetry … More
To my fearless guest bloggers
One of the great joys of writing this blog in the last year has been to invite some of my … More
On reputation (2)
It’s complicated. There I am in the bookshop, the one we all love, looking for a book. No one is … More
Mowing the lawn with Maura Dooley
‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as … More
KBO
‘80% of success is showing up.’ -Woody Allen I was chatting with a student the other day when I said … More
Guest blog post: Poetry and Work, by Shawna Lemay
Poetry and Work I recently took out a book via Interlibrary loan called, The Mind at Work: Valuing the … More
Lifesaving Poems: Fleur Adcock’s ‘The Soho Hospital for Women (IV)’
The Soho Hospital for Woman (IV) I am out in the supermarket choosing – this very afternoon, this day … More
Lifesaving Poems 