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Welcome to The Jotter, my reflections on books, writing, and culture.
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Desert Island Poems: 'September 2' by Wendell Berry
Andrew's exploration of this classic autumnal poem by Wendell Berry.
Andrew Jamison
Oct 65 min read




Desert Island Poems: An Introduction
Subscribe to the Desert Island Poems thread of my blog here .
Andrew Jamison
Aug 261 min read


Desert Island Poems: Poem by Simon Armitage
Simon Armitage worked for a long time as a probation officer, and gave serious thought to that as a full-time career before his poetry...
Andrew Jamison
Aug 264 min read


Desert Island Poems: 'The Tyger' by William Blake
The Tyger By William Blake Tyger Tyger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful...
Andrew Jamison
Aug 77 min read


Desert Island Poems: 'Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art' by John Keats
'Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art' “Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art” By John Keats Bright star, would I were...
Andrew Jamison
Aug 26 min read


Desert Island Poems: 'North Wind' by Derek Mahon
"Lambasting, lamentation and love poem all at once, it captures the essence of his work."
Andrew Jamison
Jul 253 min read


Desert Island Poems: 'The Friendship of Young Poets' by Douglas Dunn
"...the oars/ drops scales of perfect river like melting glass."
Andrew Jamison
Jul 106 min read


Desert Island Poems: Piano by D. H. Lawrence
"In twelve beautifully crafted lines, Lawrence presents us with melancholia writ large."
Andrew Jamison
Jul 46 min read


Desert Island Poems: ‘The Eagle’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"There is so much to be learned from this six-line poem."
Andrew Jamison
Jun 295 min read


Desert Island Poems: ‘Donegal’ by Robin Robertson
"I've often thought there are three themes in poetry: life, time, and their passing. Robertson's poem explores all three..."
Andrew Jamison
Jun 293 min read


Desert Island Poems: 'Ozymandias' by Percy Bysshe Shelley
"I've taught this sonnet many times, but it keeps teaching me." Poem as Lesson When I taught English in schools (and indeed when I teach...
Andrew Jamison
Jun 223 min read


Desert Island Poems: The Lawnmower by Michael Laskey
In this post I share a poem and my thoughts on what makes it so powerful.
Andrew Jamison
Jun 102 min read


Desert Island Poems: The Owl by Edward Thomas
(for paid subscribers)
Andrew Jamison
May 313 min read
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