Of making many books there is no end (Ecclesiastes)
I'm finishing my new book, Singing in the Dark. I don't consciously have themes for books, but this one is full of music. It begins with a poem about the songs Edward Thomas loved, including his "wild army songs". Later there are some short poems whose starting points were songs by Nick Drake. The last poem features me falling asleep during an opera on a very hot day in Cheltenham. I woke up guiltily and wrote the poem on my programme. The book is due to be published (by Carcanet) in 2008, in February, which, even allowing for global warming, might be cold enough to keep its readers awake.
Meanwhile, Shadow the tabby kitten has the distinction of having a milk tooth broken by Williams Carlos Williams. (Note to critics: do not try to bite hardback Collecteds. Note to me: do not leave her alone with the proofs.)
Meanwhile, Shadow the tabby kitten has the distinction of having a milk tooth broken by Williams Carlos Williams. (Note to critics: do not try to bite hardback Collecteds. Note to me: do not leave her alone with the proofs.)
