Twit twit twit: George Szirtes

Many young poets and writers have been influenced/taught by George through his time at the University of East Anglia. Others will be more acquainted with his prize-winning book Reel and his extensive translation projects. I first came across him on Twitter, to be honest. I thoroughly enjoy his tweets about what it’s like to be a translator and a poet, but also his more profound fragments, too. They’ve lead me to read his work, which I also enjoy.
 

Just passed a shop called Nostalgia. Closed down. I want an open shop next to it called Schadenfreude. — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 26, 2014

How rarely I think of her, the woman who bore me and was all the rooms of the house. Then her hand appears in a dreamed house. — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 18, 2014

I held it in my hands. I called it a rose and felt attached to it but one should not be attached to roses, even if it’s not a rose. — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 27, 2014

I like the way they talk to you in dreams. It is mostly commonplace, not poetry. And that is what makes it poetry afterwards. — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 18, 2014

It’s Friday, says Thursday. Just another day, says Saturday. Each day is a miracle to me, Thursday replies. — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 21, 2014

Writer in the public sphere: How beautiful / charming / sexy / you are. That’s the kind of writer I’d like to be! — George Szirtes (@george_szirtes) February 22, 2014

 
Twit Twit Twit is a regular series where I will be focusing on several poets who are on Twitter and showcasing some of my favourites from their previous tweets.
 

Alex MacDonald lives and works in London. He has had his poetry published in The Quietus, Clinic II and English PEN and was shortlisted for the Poetry School / Pig Hog Poetry Pamphlet Competition. He hosted a series of readings at the V&A Museum on independent poetry publishers. He is currently Digital Poet in Residence at the Poetry School.