Ah… It is Christmas again, and nearly new year. This time 12 months ago I had just returned from Iowa, all angsty and sad over leaving my new friends and returning to what felt like a bit of a dead end at home. And then, as years have the habit of doing, this one surprised me: I spent my final few months in Hull finding friendships with new people and reaffirming them with old ones, and having a fantastic time studying Philip Larkin in the city that he begrudgingly made his home. Amidst that sprang three things to completely change my life, all over again: I got my offer to study at Oxford, where I moved in August, and which I now think of as my new home; I ended up with my poetry published in the best way I could hope; and I met and Georgette Dawes and her small blonde mouse-daughter, Merida, with both of whom I am happier than Ive been in a long time. The best things are always surprises, even shocks. So, Happy Christmas to my friends and family, dotted as you are in all the ridiculous places Ive staggered through: Manchester, Hull, America, Oxford, and wherever youre reading this. Whether we are very close or barely known to each other – even if we dont always get on – I hope that right now, for these few days, youre safe, with those you love, and resting up; so many of you seriously deserve it.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:45:39 +0000
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