Here are the most read Lifesaving Poems of 2014. For the first time I have been able to compare last … More
Tag: Writing
Why we need Aldeburgh
Dan O’Brien began by saying he wasn’t really a poet, but a ‘moonlighting playwright’. Selima Hill took out her glasses, … More
‘When I read poetry’: in memory of Mark Strand
I am sad because the great American poet Mark Strand has died. Among the tributes to him in the last … More
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
On generosity
By the time you read this I will be far away from here. It has not happened yet, but I … 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
Influences: Alan Booth
Alan Booth wasn’t the first teacher to teach me something, but he was the first who drew me into the … More
Just one thing
It all started with two remarks, one by a friend, the other by a stranger at work. ß The friend’s … 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
Thingless
I am not at a thing. The things have dried up (or I have stopped going). I am thingless. I … More
How to disappear
The review isn’t exactly vicious as such, merely purely personal and savage. It stops short of questioning your parentage, but … More
The poem always wins
You think it will be about your childhood. It turns out to be about an onion. Or a night in … More
