I always think of myself as working at a rock face. Ninety days out of ninety five, it’s just a … More
Tag: Writing Poetry
The new notebook (LentBlog9)
After Charles Wright Strives for perfection-Thursday Is begun day after votings Old envelope from the hospital) Will … More
Spirally
‘What’s up?’ says the book. ‘It’s nothing. Really. I’m fine,’ I say. ‘For a person with their head in their … More
The Year of Living Deeply 3: Mark Strand’s Weather of Words
When I first read and began thinking about The Year of Living Deeply one of my instant reactions concerned the impact … More
Are you afraid?
‘Are you afraid?’ says the book. ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘Are you?’ ‘Have I upset you in some way?’ … More
No one is watching
‘Happy new year,’ says the book. ’And to you, too,’ I say. ’You all right?’ says the book. ’Fine,’ I … More
Reasons why I am happy to be in the city at the end of December
(After Andy Brown) Because my children are briefly sleeping under the same roof Becuase Col and Lucy and M and … More
Coming home
‘Good Christmas?’ I say. ’Fairytale,’ the book says. ‘Grimm.’ ’Are you here all week?’ ’Unlike some of us.’ ’It was … More
Craving silence
‘So I was thinking,’ the book says. ‘Going anywhere nice for Christmas?’ ’Do you want a lift somewhere?’ I say. … More
What you read in 2018
Here are my most frequently-read blog posts of 2018, according to my WordPress stats. First, from the Lifesaving Poems … More
Blue: What 2018 has taught me
‘What have you learned, do you think?’ the book says. ‘Do you mind, I’m trying to have a bath!’ ‘Now … More
Poems from The Afterlife
After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More
Influence
‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’ the book says. ‘Why are you wearing my slippers?’ I say. … More
Intimacy
‘You don’t sound very ambitious,’ the book says. ‘And good morning to you, too!’ I say. ‘I mean,’ the book … More
Everyone who matters
‘What do you want?’ says the book. ‘Who’s asking?’ I say. ‘Me,’ says the book. ‘I am asking.’ ‘What do … More
Truly, Madly, Deeply
I am lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, detoxing from the day, as I do. ‘You all right?’ … More
Tenderness
The book is looking at me from across the room. It is dressed smartly, but not to impress. It looks … More
Towards a model of poetry writing development
As promised last week, here is my presentation of the paper I co-wrote with Sue Dymoke in which we argue on … More