AofA People: Roger Robinson - Author & Poet

2 mn read

Roger Robinson is a British writer, musician and performer who lives between England and Trinidad. His book A Portable Paradise (Peepal Tree Press) won the prestigious T S Eliott Prize 2019. He is the second writer of Caribbean heritage to win the prize, the highest value award in UK poetry, after Derek Walcott who won the 2010 prize. Robinson’s victory was also seen as an important one for small presses. A Portable Paradise was only the second book of poetry to win the Ondaatje Prize in May 2020.

Age – 56

Where do you live?

In Northampton – former quality shoe centre of the world.

What do you do?

I write and make music but these days I mostly think.

Tell us what it’s like to be your age?

Fascinated that I’m still learning important things about myself and amused that I have a pocket full of fucks that I don’t give to anyone.

What do you have now that you didn’t have at 25?

Focus, time and peace.

And relationships?

I have been married for over twenty years now and it is still the best thing I’ve ever done besides have my son.

How free do you feel?

In some things, I’m completely free in others not so much. ie creatively and as a citizen.

What are you proud of?

Proud of my family and myself for trying my best to do the right thing even though it feels tough at the time it works better for me in the long term.

What keeps you inspired?

Beauty, life, empathy, stories, creativity and helping others with their creativity.

When are you happiest?

With my family and friends or being creative.

Where does your creativity go?

Into books music, thinking and action.

What is your philosophy of living?

Do Less Better.

Are you still dreaming?

Every day all the time. Creativity is one giant dreamscape.

What was a recent outrageous action of yours?

I went to bed at midnight and I paid for it all week. That’s about as outrageous as it gets these days.