I’ve been writing since I was 16 (I was going to say ‘seriously’ but ‘with intent’ is a better phrase). I am now 25, and Christmas has come early in the form of The Crashaw Prize and Salt Publishing. I am a joint winner, which means that my first full collection of poetry will be published inContinue reading “I have won The Crashaw Prize”
Popshot
Popshot, a magazine combining poetry and illustration, is worth a look. It hasn’t launched yet, but the first issue promises ‘The Wonder of the Ordinary’. They are seeking contributors – and readers.
Hasty Excise on Gists & Piths
Literary blog-place Gists & Piths has published my ‘Hasty Excise’, which is based on an earlier piece released here. The journey, seeing as you ask, is Clapham Junction to Aldgate via Waterloo. Thanks to George Ttoouli for editorial suggestions. The blog title comes, I believe, from Ezra Pound (above).
Burke’s Peerage
Yes, yes, I know it’s popcorn telly but I did watch tonight’s X Factor final. Congratulations to Alexandra Burke who deservedly won. Deservedly, because she clearly (ie. by a mile) has the best voice, the best stage presence, and is the most musical. I tend to think 99% of X Factor singers are shite, butContinue reading “Burke’s Peerage”
Zeppelins
One of my favourite poets, Chris McCabe, has launched his second collection Zeppelins. I haven’t read it yet, but based on reading and hearing Chris’s work over the last two years, I predict it’ll be big. I should also mention that I will be interviewing Chris right here at this is yogic for Salt’s Cyclone project.
Angry of Aldgate
To: Tower Hamlets Council Date: 7/12/08 Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to make a complaint about the new street lighting in Wentworth Street E1, installed 6/12/08. My property faces Wentworth Street and the new lighting is so bright that it shines directly into my flat and I am unable to sleep at night.Continue reading “Angry of Aldgate”
Hoodoo Voodoo
I recommend Hoodoo Voodoo by D.S. Marriott extremely highly. It’s the best thing I’ve read this year and tops his previous collection. My review of this will be in the next Poetry London. Here’s a snippet. These poems are unexpected and often frightening documents of loss, which probe issues of black identity in stark, uncompromising language.Continue reading “Hoodoo Voodoo”
How deep the rabbit hole goes
{ Everything you see, he explained, is a thing. No ideas. The drugs had gone deep. A tilting sensation. A goose on a lilo. He taught me to reach with my hand to the scar as it healed, never healed, at the base of my skull. The itch. Worms in a can. Continue reading “How deep the rabbit hole goes”
The Arrival of the Books
I’m very excited. Or, more accurately, was – now I’m just sleepy, typing this in bed whilst listening to the shipping forecast (west veering north-west but cyclonic at first in Hebrides…). Today the books I am publishing in January arrived from the printers: Ross Sutherland’s Things To Do Before You Leave Town and Tamsin Kendrick’sContinue reading “The Arrival of the Books”
The Fib
The Fib is a short form of poetry we’re celebrating over at London Word Festival. It’s based on the Fibonacci sequence and is a lot of fun to write! City-centric blog Londonist is also covering the project. Here’s one of my efforts, a tongue-twister. Vile veal livers valets leave behind the villa: evil lives in lividContinue reading “The Fib”
Tom Chivers 