Her Birth at the British Library

2022 began with an invitation from the British Library for drafts from Her Birth. They will feature in Poems in Progress, an anthology of poets’ drafts, which will be published in September this year. I have been sent an advance copy and it is beautiful. Each poet’s work presented in fascinating, forensic detail.

I did not find it easy revisiting poems written at a difficult time. I dug out the drafts, stacked them on my study floor, then walked around them for weeks. I was asked to provide a commentary to sit alongside the drafts and in the end my delayed start made for (I hope) a more interesting reflection.

The book contains very raw versions of my poem ‘Room in a Hospital’ and it does feel a little exposing to share work at such an early, private stage. But this book is the most amazing thing I’ve ever been included in, and I must confess, I had a little cry when I opened its pages.

Visit the British Library shop for an exclusive 10% discount on all preorders using the code BLPIP10 https://shop.bl.uk/products/poems-in-progress-drafts-from-master-poets

And here’s the final published version, found in Her Birth

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