My husband and I had the joy of hearing Michael read from this at his poetry event in Toppings bookshop in St Andrews, it was a fantastic night. I love this book and Oyster, but Boyfriends is the one I always return to and re-read. Michael read a piece from Boyfriends at the event, it is the part that always brings tears to my eyes and it had the same effect hearing him read it. There is something lovely reading about others enjoying a book and author that you do.
Oh there really is. I literally found myself smiling as I was reading your comment, wishing we were actually having this conversation in person so we could chat more. I’ve just ordered Boyfriends. I’m really excited about reading it. More so now :)
This poem pulls me into a reflective space, one where the ache of things left unsaid feels both intimate and universal. It makes me think about how often we navigate our relationships with caution, especially with our parents, the people who are supposed to know us best, yet are often the most difficult to truly connect with. There’s this underlying fear, isn't there? A fear of vulnerability, of exposing emotions too raw, too complicated, too close to the bone. So, we tread lightly. We keep the conversation at the surface—discuss the weather, recipes, daily routines—things that are safe, predictable. But what does that cost us in the long run?
It’s easy to get comfortable in the shallows, where the risks are minimal, and you don’t have to confront the full weight of what lies beneath. Yet, the poem suggests that at some point, we realize those depths exist, that there’s so much more to know, so many questions we’ve been too afraid to ask. But by the time we gain the courage or awareness to dive deeper, it might be too late. That’s what makes the imagery of the clipped wings and “fish-belly-up” so poignant—there’s a sense of resignation, of accepting that perhaps this depth will remain unexplored. It’s the gut-wrenching realization that time, or opportunity, may run out before we get to ask the real questions, before we get the real answers.
In my own life, I can think of moments where I felt the urge to probe deeper but held back—out of fear, or habit, or just the sheer inertia of time passing without change. We convince ourselves there will always be more time, more moments to say what matters. But the truth is, the more we postpone those moments, the more we risk them never happening. And then we’re left with this weight—this sense that something important was missed, that the surface conversations we had don’t truly reflect the depth of the relationship we might have had.
It’s bittersweet because we know, deep down, that both sides feel it—that same emotional restraint, that same hesitation. We’re all snorkeling in the shallows, aware of the depths below, but never quite ready to plunge in. The tragedy is in the lost potential for connection, in the shared knowledge that we’re keeping things light when we could be exploring the weight of our shared histories, our fears, our love.
Perhaps this is where the poem takes me most intensely—to the awareness that connection isn’t just about being there, in the same space, but about being willing to dive into the murky, uncomfortable waters of truth and vulnerability. The poem reminds me that there’s always more beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered, but it’s up to us to choose whether or not we’re brave enough to explore it before it's too late.
The Cat Prince has been on my to-buy list. I came across Michael Pedersen when he was on a couple of podcasts alongside Hollie McNish & loved the sound of his book. (Also he was hilarious!)
Yes, I think they are. I might have to move it up a little. My list is very long and consists of: a list in a notes app on my phone, plus my wishlist and sample chapters on my ereaders!
Haha, my list sprawls too. A friend asked me how long I thought it would take me to get through all the books I’ve already got but not read. I said three years 🤣
lovinggggg binge-reading these poems!
😊
I’m back too 🙌 Love the title; going to get writing while the house sleeps :)
Hurray hurray being back ❤️ (whispered)
Wishing for you as long as possible in the quiet 🤞🤞 xx
Haha you know the struggle is real!… And one definition of who I am to other people… a poet under pressure!! X
My husband and I had the joy of hearing Michael read from this at his poetry event in Toppings bookshop in St Andrews, it was a fantastic night. I love this book and Oyster, but Boyfriends is the one I always return to and re-read. Michael read a piece from Boyfriends at the event, it is the part that always brings tears to my eyes and it had the same effect hearing him read it. There is something lovely reading about others enjoying a book and author that you do.
Oh there really is. I literally found myself smiling as I was reading your comment, wishing we were actually having this conversation in person so we could chat more. I’ve just ordered Boyfriends. I’m really excited about reading it. More so now :)
That is really lovely 😊You will have to let me know what you think.
I will!!!
This poem pulls me into a reflective space, one where the ache of things left unsaid feels both intimate and universal. It makes me think about how often we navigate our relationships with caution, especially with our parents, the people who are supposed to know us best, yet are often the most difficult to truly connect with. There’s this underlying fear, isn't there? A fear of vulnerability, of exposing emotions too raw, too complicated, too close to the bone. So, we tread lightly. We keep the conversation at the surface—discuss the weather, recipes, daily routines—things that are safe, predictable. But what does that cost us in the long run?
It’s easy to get comfortable in the shallows, where the risks are minimal, and you don’t have to confront the full weight of what lies beneath. Yet, the poem suggests that at some point, we realize those depths exist, that there’s so much more to know, so many questions we’ve been too afraid to ask. But by the time we gain the courage or awareness to dive deeper, it might be too late. That’s what makes the imagery of the clipped wings and “fish-belly-up” so poignant—there’s a sense of resignation, of accepting that perhaps this depth will remain unexplored. It’s the gut-wrenching realization that time, or opportunity, may run out before we get to ask the real questions, before we get the real answers.
In my own life, I can think of moments where I felt the urge to probe deeper but held back—out of fear, or habit, or just the sheer inertia of time passing without change. We convince ourselves there will always be more time, more moments to say what matters. But the truth is, the more we postpone those moments, the more we risk them never happening. And then we’re left with this weight—this sense that something important was missed, that the surface conversations we had don’t truly reflect the depth of the relationship we might have had.
It’s bittersweet because we know, deep down, that both sides feel it—that same emotional restraint, that same hesitation. We’re all snorkeling in the shallows, aware of the depths below, but never quite ready to plunge in. The tragedy is in the lost potential for connection, in the shared knowledge that we’re keeping things light when we could be exploring the weight of our shared histories, our fears, our love.
Perhaps this is where the poem takes me most intensely—to the awareness that connection isn’t just about being there, in the same space, but about being willing to dive into the murky, uncomfortable waters of truth and vulnerability. The poem reminds me that there’s always more beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered, but it’s up to us to choose whether or not we’re brave enough to explore it before it's too late.
The Cat Prince has been on my to-buy list. I came across Michael Pedersen when he was on a couple of podcasts alongside Hollie McNish & loved the sound of his book. (Also he was hilarious!)
I think they might be friends. I’d like to be their friend, haha. Shift it up the list a little?? Is your list as long as mine? x
Yes, I think they are. I might have to move it up a little. My list is very long and consists of: a list in a notes app on my phone, plus my wishlist and sample chapters on my ereaders!
Haha, my list sprawls too. A friend asked me how long I thought it would take me to get through all the books I’ve already got but not read. I said three years 🤣
I saw him perform this year and it was exciting and moving and thought provoking experience. What a title! One to ruminate on xx
I wish I’d been at that gig. Holly and Micheal? Dreamy. And yeah isn’t that title great x
I’ve missed you. I’m glad xx