New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Culture
  2. Poetry
28 October 2020

The NS Poem: Pressed

A new poem by Blake Morrison. 

By Blake Morrison

The books that took me from home
are carrying me back –
back to my Arctic bedroom
and the shelves where they were stacked.

I’m pressed inside them like a flower
or an earwig that got trapped.
My sister’s crying next door.
There’s smoke from my dad’s wooden pipe.

The spines are unbroken
and the covers free of dust.
I’m stuck there like a specimen.
It’s not yet me. It’s not yet us.

Blake Morrison is a poet and author, and a professor of creative writing at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His most recent book is the novel “The Executor” (Chatto & Windus).

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Consulting is at the forefront of UK growth
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero

This article appears in the 28 Oct 2020 issue of the New Statesman, The Great Reckoning