Through new eyes

One of the greatest challenges for a poet is to find something new to say. It’s all been said before. Any poet who manages to find a truly original subject should keep very quiet about it, write the p

How Chaucer reshaped English poetry

AND now, let’s drink a toast to Mum and Dad,” said Evelyn and Duncan’s eldest son, Arlo. He grinned and then added, “Better known to some of you as Gran and Gramps.” “Happy anniversary!” everyone chor

I WAS only five when Elaine first came into my life. She was tall and dark skinned, with a perfume that smelled of roses and big necklaces in bright colours that bounced as she laughed. Whenever my da

What makes a novel of ideas?

I’D just let Joey, my young Labrador, off the lead when I saw Spike for the first time. It was early; the grass was drenched in dew and there were few people about. He was a powerful-looking man stand