On Ted Hughes's 'Last Letter' to Sylvia Plath

Books | guardian.co.uk: "Critic and friend of both Plath and Hughes Al Alvarez ponders the rather 'uncooked' poem published for the first time last week"

The John Donne poem referred to in the article: A NOCTURNAL UPON ST. LUCY'S DAY, BEING THE SHORTEST DAY. It is a long poem, here are four lines from it:

Study me then, you who shall lovers be
At the next world, that is, at the next spring ;
For I am every dead thing,
In whom Love wrought new alchemy.

Lost poem by Ted Hughes

"Long-lost Ted Hughes poem focuses on Sylvia Plath's suicide" | Jacket Copy | Los Angeles Times

A report about "Last Letter" by Ted Hughes

Unlock the mathematical secrets of verse

National Poetry Day: unlock the mathematical secrets of verse - Telegraph: "Robert Frost put it neatly when he wrote that 'Poetry without rules is like tennis without a net'. Poetry, in other words, is mathematics. It is close to a particular branch of the subject known as combinatorics, the study of permutations..." (Steve Jones)

Steve Jones makes poetry sound rather bloodless. If he wrote something it would be as solid as a concrete block and would float likewise, I think. Includes a nice quote from Robert Frost: 'Poetry without rules is like tennis without a net'.

The Saturday poem

'A human head . . .' by Edwin Morgan

The Guardian continues to provide marvellous examples from modern poets. Follow this link to find more.

Summer Fiction Special | short story | Books | The Guardian

Summer Fiction Special | short story | Books | The Guardian

David Mitchell, Roddy Doyle, Hilary Mantell and others.

New Irish Writing - Hennessy X.0 shortlist 2009

New Irish Writing - Hennessy X.0 shortlist 2009: "Eighteen writers have been nominated for the 2009 Hennessy X.O Literary Awards, which will be announced in the Great Hall at Trinity College on 20 April."

There are links to read the nominated poetry and stories. I recognise James Lawless from New Short Stories 1 (note the name check for the Willesden Herald - yay!) New Irish Writing was my goal when I started being interested in becoming a writer. I'm still interested in that.

Chicago Poetry Tour : The Poetry Foundation

Interactively explore the city with archival and contemporary recordings of poets reading, local music and pictures.

Sleeping with John Updike

"On the first anniversary of the American novelist's death, a new short story by Julian Barnes"

Sloe wine

When I was a child I had not time for filling forms or folding clothes. No minute could be spared from catching bees and huling hoops. I raced like upland rills and brooks that bubble and chase their own reflections. But now I have nothing but time, time to fill forms and stare at the box. Time to fold clothes and make arrangements. What time is it now Mr Wolf? I must have known that childhood was ending - that's why I raced everywhere, that's why I ran and ran and ran.

Poodles

A new poem by Simon Armitage for Tony Blair

"They all looked daft but the horse-dog
looked daftest of all. The cute red bridle and swishing tail,
the saddle and stirrups, the groomed mane.
The hair round its feet had been shaved and fluffed into hooves [...]"

ROCKPILE performs at Busboys & Poets

ROCKPILE performs at Busboys & Poets, Washington DC from ROCKPILE on Vimeo.

Raw footage of the ROCKPILE performance, comprised of poets David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg in Washington, DC with the New Columbia Orchestra Quintet. The Quintet includes vocalist Nicki Gonzalez, flautist Joseph Cunliffe, guitarist Richard Miller, bassist Don West, and Burnett Thompson at the piano.

The rolling Rockpile poetry and music tour puts on a great show in Washington DC.

Bolero

David Meltzer / Ravel - on the rolling Rockpile tour

David Meltzer reads his poem "Brother "

At The Aqus Cafe for The Petaluma Poetry Walk on Sept. 20th, 2009

Very interesting re Ted Hughes poetry

Wild swim: Lumb Falls | Travel | guardian.co.uk: "Wild swim: Ted Hughes countryIn the third of a five-part series, Kate Rew swims West Yorkshire's sparkling Lumb Falls at the heart of poet Ted Hughes' childhood landscape."

I think anyone interested in Ted Hughes's poetry will find this short film a marvellous gem or rather a treasure of great interest and value.

Rockpile with The Rabbles

David Meltzer reads at Shelldance Orchid Nursery, 8-29-09 from ROCKPILE on Vimeo.

David Meltzer reads at the Shelldance Orchid Nursery First Annual Poetry, Music, and Art Festival in Pacifica on Saturday, August 29, 2009. Music by the Rabbles. Video by mxxx palmer