Biography

Anthony Vahni Capildeo FRSL is a Trinidadian Scottish writer of poetry and non-fiction. Currently Professor and Writer in Residence at the University of York, their site-specific word and visual art includes responses to Cornwall’s former capital, Launceston, as the Causley Trust Poet in Residence (2022) and to the Ubatuba granite of the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds (2023), as well as to Scottish, Irish, and Caribbean built and natural environments. Their numerous books and pamphlets, from No Traveller Returns (Salt, 2003), Person Animal Figure (Landfill, 2005) onwards, are distinguished by deliberate engagement with independent and small presses. Their work has been recognized with the Cholmondeley Award (Society of Authors) and the Forward Poetry Prize for Best Collection. Their publications include Like a Tree, Walking (Carcanet, 2021) (Poetry Book Society Choice), and A Happiness (Intergraphia, 2022). Their interests include silence, translation theory, medieval reworkings, plurilingualism, collaborative work, and traditional masquerade. Recent commissions include research-based Windrush poems for Poet in the City and for the Royal Society of Literature. Capildeo served as a judge for the Jhalak Prize (2023).

Anthony Vahni Capildeo’s recording was made on 28 February 2013 at the Soundhouse, London, and the producer was Anne Rosenfeld.

Poems by Anthony Vahni Capildeo

Inhuman Triumphs - Anthony Vahni Capildeo
Four Departures from ‘Wulf and Eadwacer’ - Anthony Vahni Capildeo
On Not Writing As A West Indian Woman - Anthony Vahni Capildeo
To Sleep Possum to Dream - Anthony Vahni Capildeo
Anthony Vahni Capildeo in the Poetry Store

The free tracks you can enjoy in the Poetry Archive are a selection of a poet’s work. Our catalogue store includes many more recordings which you can download to your device.

Books by Anthony Vahni Capildeo

Awards

2012

longlisted for the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature for 'Dark & Unaccustomed Words'

Prize website
2016

Forward Prize for best poetry collection for 'Measures of Expatriation

Prize website

Featured in the Archive

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