Oh to be in Scotland now that Spring is here. Or If you're in England, April IS the cruellest month...

I loved the job title 'Public and Green Space Operator (Mechanical Skills)' so much I looked up the job description. Tasks include 'grass cutting, hedge trimming, shrub bed maintenance including pruning, and weed spraying'. So THIS is how one operates Green Space...🤔

The geography's no good for me, sadly, but maybe you can get to one of these...?

Demelza Henderson and I will run a poetry and prayer weekend in Devon next March for @promotingretreats.org. A handful of places are left on 'Soaring on wings like eagles'. Details at promotingretreats.org/apr-spring-r... PS: yes, I know my pic is of a buzzard, but I did say 'like' eagles :-)

... and Nicole is reading at Uncut Poets in Exeter next week – I have the pleasure of reading alongside her – do come and join us!

This is too far away for me, sadly, but maybe not for you?

Do check out Gill Barr's new website – and keep an eye open for her excellent book (I can say that because I've had a sneak preview) – launching next month!

Big thanks to Chrissy Banks and Matt Bryden for inviting me to read at Uncut Poets, Exeter, on Tuesday, July 29th, alongside Nicole Durman – the event starts at 7.30 and it would be lovely to see you there, Devon friends, if you can make it. Probably my last time at Uncut: a bittersweet occasion...

Welcome to Bluesky, @nawewriters.bsky.social!

How lovely to find this among my notifications! I've just been reading the feedback from our last poetry and prayer retreat – 'an exceptionally uplifting weekend', said one participant. Do come and join us in November at @retreatparmoor.bsky.social if you can - the link is on the shared post.

Welcome to bluesky, @blacknorereview.bsky.social :-)

Just in case anyone following me from One of the Other Places wants to check they've got the right Helen Evans – there are a lot of us around 🤷‍♀️

New post on #Substack from @johnglenday.bsky.social Robert Frost's Eyebrows – John Glenday on words, syllables and cadence. #NorthSeaPoets #PoetryCommunity

Introducing Poetry Fundamentals, a series of seven classes delivered weekly by members of the North Sea Poets. Starts 22nd April. Get all the details and book your spot northseapoets.com/courses 🌊

"In a hard world, poetry can accompany us" Jere's the first post from #northseapoets on #substack... the poets starting a conversation... #writingcommunity #poetry #blueskypoetry

This looks amazing – John Glenday, Kathleen Jamie, Don Paterson, and more – in a new #poetry venture. If you want to deepen your poetry practice or simply to learn from some of the best poets out there, follow @northseapoets.bsky.social to see what's on offer... #writingcommunity #northseapoets

I'm delighted to see my poem 'Lent' published at the excellent Wild Court – my thanks to @reselby.bsky.social for choosing it. Great timing, too, the week before Ash Wednesday... wildcourt.co.uk/lent-a-poem-...

Hey, @blackirispoetry.bsky.social is on Bluesky! Welcome!

I've been really enjoying @poetrylondon.bsky.social under the editorship of Niall Campbell – if you're looking to subscribe to a new poetry magazine, this is one of the handful I'd strongly recommend...

Thank you so much to @atriumpoetry.bsky.social for sharing this poem of mine with the world

Thank you to @promotingretreats.bsky.social for ... promoting the retreat I'm co-leading in Oxfordshire this coming November – all the details are on the link

Are you in urgent need of time to rest and/or pray? There are still a few places left for a Quiet Week at The Othona Community, West Dorset from 18-23 Feb. Book now on www.othonawestdorset.org.uk/events-listing #retreat #quiet #stillness #prayer

TEASER: Out 28/2/25.

I wrote about writing and money (nothing new here): sonofabook.blogspot.com/2025/02/writ...

The government’s outdated rhetoric is pitting nature against the economy, but the truth is they go hand in hand. Our CEO sets the record straight. 👇

Thank you to the Diocese of Exeter for featuring my next Quiet Morning – February 11th in Exeter – in its Roots & Shoots newsletter. Still a handful of spaces available – please contact me to book.

Oh to be in Orkney now that John is there! Alas I will be at the other end of the UK but this will be wonderful – if you can go, go... John Glenday, poetry, Stromness – what's not to like.

This lovely (and seasonal) haiku here from @clarebryden.bsky.social and Ink, Sweat & Tears – @helenivory.bsky.social – brightened up my day!

Our first episode of 2025 is live - we talk to the brilliant Tishani Doshi, debate Chat GPT and Bad Kid Catullus - where else do you get this variety?? @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @sidekickbooks.bsky.social planetpoetry.buzzsprout.com/1414696/epis...

Remembering Michael Longley. @wendymacp25.bsky.social – J might be interested if he hasn't heard the news? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Just a few places left on this retreat in March – Demelza Henderson and I will be at @sheldonretreat.bsky.social – follow the link for all the details or drop me a message if you have any questions

Many thanks to @hollyannepoet.bsky.social and @clairewalkerpoetry.bsky.social of the lovely @atriumpoetry.bsky.social for publishing this poem of mine today – much appreciated!

PAID OPPORTUNITY! We're looking for copywriters to write poet bios for our #PoetryofIndia collection. We’d love to hear from copywriters from Indian backgrounds with an understanding of the poetry/history of the Indian sub-continent. £175 per bio! More info @: https://buff.ly/4gV2U4g

Silence at the Water’s Edge – Jessamine O’Connor atriumpoetry.com/2025/01/14/s...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. #55234567: You don’t have to write for a living to be a writer. You don’t have to be a great writer to be a writer. You don’t have to write full time to be a writer. All you have to do is write.

#poetry #poetsonbluesky ❄️🦡

A poem for our times, written a century ago. Anna Akhmatova, translated by Stanley Kunitz:

Lovely – noodle angels from DA Prince – and of course so much more.

This looks interesting...

Last call for January Writing Hours! If you or anyone you know would like to come but can't afford to, please send me a message. I'm doing admin later today and have some complimentary spaces to give out. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/january-wr...

In Greenland, as we speak.

Many thanks to @helenivory.bsky.social for publishing my poem 'Misper' today – and Bore da to @paulmcgrane.bsky.social and Kevin Reid – Merry Christmas! inksweatandtears.co.uk/on-the-fifth...

What's happening at The Guardian...

So today I've reached the grand total of 50 accounts blocked – most of them apparently affluent American men who love dogs or cats – the rest trying to flog me dodgy crypto/etc. Is everyone else finding BlueSky this spammy, or is it me? Anyone know what BlueSky does to pre-empt this kind of stuff?

I'd highly recommend Jo! Treat yourself?

"We are ready for the moors and their mist wisdom" – great poems here from @hannahl1n.bsky.social, Stephen Keeler and @johncraigwhite.bsky.social chosen by @helenivory.bsky.social and team at Ink, Sweat & Tears – I'm sooo looking forward to the next 11 days! inksweatandtears.co.uk/on-the-first...

Lovely poem here from the Christmas & Winter anthology by @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social – 'Imagine...'

There's just one place left on the APR Spring 'poetry and prayer' weekend retreat that I'm co-leading with Demelza Henderson. "Dark Earth, Bright Field' explores the theme of light and darkness: follow the link on the shared post to find out more...

A huge thank you to @sarahpoet.bsky.social for publishing my poem 'Ruined Cathedral' on Amethyst Review today – it's a poem that means a lot to me. amethystmagazine.org/2024/12/18/r...