I am sad because the great American poet Mark Strand has died. Among the tributes to him in the last … More
Tag: Writing Poems
The Four of Us (a new poem)
I am delighted to have The Four of Us, a new poem, in London Grip New Poetry, which you can find … More
The woman at the workshop
I am at a thing. Not a famous thing, but an important one nevertheless. People are there, people you and … More
The new poem
The poem and I are best friends. For ever. We hold hands in public and spend every spare minute with … More
Poetry and tennis
On the Sunday morning of the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival I breakfasted with poets discussing the theme of writing poetry and … More
The Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize 2014
On the basis of these five first collections, there is no reason to assume the careers of the poets who … More
Ellen Doré Watson’s ‘Be Here First’
Ellen Doré Watson was a new name to me until recently. ‘Be Here First ‘ is a good example of … More
I quit
I am at a thing. A historic thing. (An historic thing? I will never know). Poets are there. Household names. … More
Writing Research Across Borders (a new poem)
I am delighted to have a new poem Writing Research Across Borders (2014): Poster Sessions in Hinterland With thanks to Judi Sutherland … More
Thomas Lux’s syntax
I first heard Thomas Lux’s poems before I read them. In the autumn of 2000 I was sent a tape … More
Adélia Prado’s tone
She started as a name. There I was, following my nose, minding my own business, trying to ignore all instincts … More
A new poem, ‘S’, from Antiphon Issue 12
I am delighted to be included in Issue Twelve of Antiphon poetry magazine. You can read my new poem, ‘S’, … More
Aldeburgh Poetry Festival Blog Posts
Below is a collection of my blog posts for the 2014 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. I will update it as I … More
Lifesaving Poems: the book
Photograph © Bloodaxe Books Ltd I am delighted to announce that my Lifesaving Poems series of blog posts has now become … More
Two tiny poems
The online poetry magazine dedicated to very short poems, Nutshells and Nuggets, has taken two new poems of mine. You … More
Not exactly fearless
Someone who knows me very well knocked me sideways with a comment the other day. Remarking on this blog, … More
It is summer for months
It Is Summer for Months Clothes are skimpy and tans are gotwithout flight bags.We saunter beside a canalwhere horses pull … More
Lifesaving Poems: Naomi Shihab Nye’s ‘The Art of Disappearing’
The Art of Disappearing When they say Don’t I know you?say no. When they invite you to the partyremember what … More