#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

Life beyond the door

Last week saw an important milestone for Teachers as Writers. The CPD/feedback day gave everyone involved in the project – … More

It was a huge privilege to share poems in workshops I gave at the Greenbelt festival last weekend. Here is … More

‘I’ve been out,’ says the book. ‘So I see,’ I say. The book is dressed in a pith helmet and … More

‘Aren’t you going get the phone?’ I say. ‘It won’t be for me.’ With a little groan the book … More

In the summer of 1986, when he was poetry editor of New Statesman and not long after Writing Home had … More

A speech given at the NATE annual conference, June 2014 My early poetic experiences were not ‘poetic’ at … More

This is the opening question and answer to an interview with Paul Clyne of Poetry Spotlight, published today. With thanks … More

‘So is that your main idea?’ ‘That’s it, yes.’ ‘That people get stuff done out of a social need to … More

There is a certain jubilation and truancy at the heart of an inspiration […a] liberation and abundance which is the … More

Teachers’ words should not be ‘How to write’ but ‘How to try to say what you really mean’ – which … More

The value of poetry is that it should matter … first to the writer and then to the reader. Michael … More

I first met Maurice in the sitting room of a mutual friend, a lifelong Labour supporter, the night after the … More

In the rift between what is going to happen and whatever we would wish to happen, poetry holds attention for … More

Thank you Lord, thank you. Thank you for all the gifts that you have given me today, Thank you for … More

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 just come back from a thing. I am tired. A good afternoon of good conversation about large, important … More

The book is already seated at the desk when I enter my office. Papers and books are strewn over every surface. … More