The self has no story. It is a sound. It scrapes
Against All things. He lets the rake do
The talking now, the raked walk keeps the Stars
From blowing out in the night sky
Above his house.

Larry Levis, from his poem 'The Space'

🙌

Massive congratulations to Dillon Jaxxpoet for winning the Brotherton Poetry Prize. This poem is so bloody good - that ending, jesus

We are proud and honoured to be publishing Gboyega Odubanjo’s collection, Adam – a questing, courageous and brilliant work – on the 4 July 2024.

faber.co.uk/journal/faber-…

Unbearable:

“Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught they have an inalienable right to be gay.”
- Margaret Thatcher in 1987, paving the way for Section 28.
NB You can’t teach children to be gay, you can teach them it’s ok if they are.

“whatever happens / now is who we might become”

On this very sad day, I want to share a happy poem by Kathryn Bevis, an immensely kind poet who deserves to always be remembered with a smile.

From her exquisite collection, The Butterfly House 🦋

Heartbroken about the death of Kathryn Bevis. What a stunning poet and person, it was a total joy to have known her. Gah, words are so inadequate. She says it better than me. Too soon.

Despite—or because of—all the comedy, surrealism, and absurdity, his main project is the ongoingness of awe. This curious duality is at the core of the poet’s work.

—Ilya Kaminsky (Ilya Kaminsky) on Tomaž Šalamun bit.ly/3UHV8RH

Secondly, we are also supporting a crowdfunding appeal to fund one young poet on the first Arvon two-year Advanced Writing Programme. Watch a short film and please consider donating 🙏 crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-michael-… (3/3)

Israel-Gaza war live: major assault on Rafah cannot be reconciled with international law, says UN rights chief theguardian.com/world/live/202…

My new poetry book is called ‘Ambush at Still Lake’ - if you’re a pre-ordering sort of person shorturl.at/bjDQR

Here’s my proposal for a (terrifying) rollercoaster that stays completely still

me and who

Been waiting for a Timmy Straw collection for years. Can't believe I missed it, excited to have discovered it

‘your father is made of clasps’

- Timmy Straw

Thanks everyone who came for the launch at Books Upstairs, a great time with great pals. If anyone's up for buying a copy it's available here and instore Books Upstairs

booksupstairs.ie/product/saturn…

'People in Rafah were displaced more than 9 times. They were first displaced from the northern area, then to the central area, then to Khan Younis, then to Rafah... whats different now is there is no place [for them to go]'

Hind Khoudary reporting from Deir Al Balah

Love this poem dearly.

Some of us are fundraising to help a new poet go on an amazing adventure, all in memory of Michael Donaghy. Here’s one of his poems. And here’s the link to donate if you would like to support this venture, on the 20th anniversary of MD’s death. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-michael-…

'The lightkeeper of hood surrealism' Tice Cin

'Vital to the poetry ecosystem' Caleb

'(Oi You Lot) is like a funeral held in a bouncy castle' Caroline Bird

'Sacred and profane' Rachel Long

'Beloved' 🦻🏽Raymond Antrobus

Anne Carson being unbelievably great