I hang out mainly with people who do a lot of activism and/or yoga, so consumerism gets a bad rap round our way. “Who needs possessions anyway?” my friends will say, knitting themselves jumpers out of yak milk. “Money’s not what’s important in life. The only things that truly bring happiness are love, and a […]
Books
Conditions Under Which I Will Happily Work For Free – an Exhaustive List
If you want to book a poet to perform at your night, you need to pay them from £50 for a newer, local poet, up to several hundred for an established name. There comes a point where poetry isn’t just a quirky hobby, it’s a job, and jobs need payment. You know this, though. Of […]
How to Cure Readers Block
I have, right now, three unfinished books piled up next to my bed. The last fiction book I finished, read all the way through, was in March. This happens to everyone occasionally, and it is so, so upsetting. I think readers block is so distressing because for a lot of people (ME) the idea […]
10 Thoughts You Have 10 Minutes Before Going On Stage
Wait. Do I need a wee? No, shhhh, it’s just nerves, you’re fine. This is terrifying. What if I forget all my words? What if I don’t forget my words, but it turns out all my words are terrible and everyone hates it and they hate me and I will have failed forever? This is […]
Nemesis
When I make cups of tea, You won’t get a teabag to yourself. You will get my leftover teabag, So your tea will contain almost no caffeine, Because I will have taken it And I will intentionally over brew Your second hand tea, So that it is dark And unpleasantly tannin-y Seeing you wince after […]
Sentences
Once I get it it’s strange as I imagine this is what being hypnotised might feel like. This cold weather makes it worse. Of course. I am glad I came. I told you before This would be the route we were going to be taking. I surprise myself when I talk about stuff and remember […]
Three Questions
Ruth: Question 1) What do you want to be when you grow up? Lucy: Braver. I want to be fearless, like a mighty Amazonian, or perhaps Boudicca. I sometimes think I don’t stand up for myself enough. Alternatively, a labrador. They always look like they’re having such a good time. Ruth: Question 2) Scenario – […]
How I Fell In Love With Poetry
I haven’t been posting lately. I wrote a poetry show, though. Seriously! A whole show, with words, and poems, and feminist theory and a song at the end and EVERYTHING. I mean, it’s not done yet, obviously, but it’s a solid, recognisable first draft. I am thrilled. Also surprised. I did an MA in Writing, […]
Three Haikus About Overlong Train Rides
Five hours. Four changes. Lunch left on edge of platform but not crying. Yet. Not in Oxford yet. I started whining early. Fucking Doncaster. We rail together. I don’t hate everyone, no. Solidarity.