Lizzie Smith: Poet & Wordsmith

Writers need to be nurtured, like apple trees need to be watered. Writers need to soak themselves with ideas. I was blown away by hearing American storyteller Susan Strauss the other day. She recited myths of creation from native American mythology. The stories poured out of her, were channelled through her, like the water of life of which she talked. Her book, the cover of which I show here, is co-written with a botanist. I love cross-fertilisation! So, think about watching a film, seeing a show or listening to a...

Life stories can be inspiring. Radio Four recently had a portrait of the soprano Pretty Yende, who was chosen to sing at the Coronation this week. It told the story of how, as an aspiring artist, she had the chance to take a trip from South Africa to Europe. She took the opportunity in both hands and booked up for as many competitions as she could possibly fit into that time available. Success in winning a big competition in Europe helped her make a breakthrough in her career. For the...

Nature has come back to the centre of poetry – Simon Armitage Our world is fragmenting. Communities fracture in favour of time spent in front of a screen taking selfies. Apathy has taken over from activism. Meanwhile, countries denuded of assets suffer from extreme weather events. ‘The climate crisis is a background hum that won’t go away’ declares the current Poet Laureate. Consider looking outwards not inwards. As the weather improves, let’s walk instead of taking the bus and notice the ‘microjoys’ given to us by the planet, while they...