Motion becomes first poet laureate to retire voluntarily in 400 years

[Stix Chix]

'No writing is as hard as this' - poet laureate's parting shot--Guadian
Parting is such sweet...relief? Britain's poet laureate quits post--The Internet Forum

Andrew Motion, the first poet laureate to retire voluntarily in nearly 400 years, has admitted in a valedictory essay that the eight royal poems he wrote in his 10 years in the post were the most difficult of his life.

"I have to admit that no other writing that I've undertaken, of any kind, has been so difficult. The problem is partly to do with the subjects (if "subject" is quite the word for someone who is not a subject). How was I to connect with them, knowing only what newspapers tell me? How was I to steer an appropriate course between familiarity (which would seem presumptuous) and sycophancy (which would seem absurd)?  And how was I to weigh and value them, knowing that a large part of the population doesn't want there to be a royal family, or feels indifferent to it?" he writes, without quite admitting whether he is of their number.

8 poems in 10 years with a pay out of £50,000?  poor thing must be exhausted.   he probably should have left sooner if he was feeling so hemmed in that it was effecting his creativity.  when in doubt there is always the limerick....


There was a poet named Motion
Who wanted a contract negation
Cried he, "Not for me!
Wouldn't do it for free."
God save the Queen from such devotion


dear your Majesty,

i understand there is an open position?  i'll happily fill it.