Author Archives: Bob

I’ve only recently become acquainted with the American poet C.K.Williams, whose work negotiates a delicate balance between sharply focused observations of common ‘reality’ and a sense of half-glimpsed alternatives by which it is haunted. ‘Light’ is a classic example, poising … Continue reading →

A mediation on writing poetry, by way of apologising for not writing poetry. Poets play all sorts of games, especially with themselves.

One of Ireland’s great poets has just passed. Read more about Boland at https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/eavan-boland

In response to a request, here are a couple of pieces by the Anglo-Irish poet Louis MacNiece. All comments or questions welcome! Snow BY LOUIS MACNEICE The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window wasSpawning snow and pink roses against … Continue reading →

A new poem just published in Arena. A bit overtaken by events, but not without its relevance still.

Another of mine, in the form of a naïve defence of coffee and poetry in challenging times. Coffee at Dusk  What road might poetry disclose, awayand out from under curdled cloud’s suspense?Not medicine or therapy, but play:the skipping-rope and hop-scotch back … Continue reading →

Here’s something new(-ish) we can try, while we wait for our sessions to resume (whenever that may happen). I’ll try to upload a poem or two weekly, some from my archive of items we’ve discussed over the years, and other … Continue reading →