On the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration, the editor Annie Ridout was in hospital having just given birth to a baby boy. Here, she reflects on what it means to be raising a boy in 2017…
poetry
Family
The editor, Annie Ridout, gave birth to a baby boy last week. In this poem she reflects on new motherhood – second time round – with a particular focus on extended family and the importance of their roles…
Mornings
How have your mornings been during the festive period? Have you been rising early or snuggling up and hoping for a lie-in? Here are some thoughts on early mornings from Robert Burns in his poem Up in the Morning Early…
Work Life
“As I’m getting older, I’m getting more radical. I’m more political, more angry – maybe because I think things should have changed by now.” Dr Benjamin Zephaniah speaks to Annie Ridout about his life, work and beliefs…
Family
Millions of YouTube hits, a new poetry book about parenthood set for publication and a breastfeeding poem soon to be aired on Channel 4. It’s Hollie McNish – on motherhood, feminism and the power of poetry…
Mornings
Poet and comedian Rob Auton has performed at Glastonbury Festival, Soho Theatre (last month) – and he won Funniest Joke at Edinburgh Festival in 2013. We talk mornings, criticism, his latest show – The Sleep Show – and ask him to tell us a joke…
Work Life
“I write novels, plays, TV, film, radio and spoken word pieces, but WRITER is fine.” Steven Camden, 36, who goes by the stage name Polarbear, tells us about life as a freelance writer in London with two young sons to look after…
Family
His first poetry recital was a church sermon that he delivered in rhyme. James Massiah is now being commissioned by the BBC, Tate and Nike and features in Young Blood: a new series of documentaries. Here we talk poetry, parties, upbringing and religion…
Mornings
Howl: a poem by Allen Ginsberg that defined a generation of beat poets. With frequent references to morning, we think it makes the perfect Saturday morning poem. Or perhaps we’re simply putting it up because we love it…
Mornings
Morning is the start of a new day but can also allude to the beginning of life. In Sylvia Plath’s emotive poem Morning Song, she describes the arrival of her baby and those tender early days as a new mother…