very sad and ... blood-boiling ...

Can't stop thinking about this Raymond Carver poem

PSA @weslpress.bsky.social is now accepting applications for its Cardinal Poetry Prize, for poets over 40 who have not published a poetry book. www.weslpress.org/the-cardinal...

Pause for a moment, and read... • Kathleen Jamie •

Edward Thomas's melancholy poem, its bitter fragrances... ".... No garden appears, no path, no hoar-green bush Of Lad's-love, or Old Man, no child beside, Neither father nor mother, nor any playmate; Only an avenue, dark, nameless, without end." www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57210/...

This painting by the artist Adriaen Coorte, made in 1699, shows a simple bunch of dramatically lit asparagus, on a stone shelf. Still life paintings of food, often called Vanitas, were a common theme in Dutch art in the 17th century and alluded to moral themes such as the brevity of life.

The Night, The Porch ~ Mark Strand

If you have a moment, read about Betty, imprisoned for wearing a t-shirt, in desperate need of medical care for cancer that's eating away the bone of her arm. Then sign the petition to the King of Morocco for her release! One small good action for a Sunday. secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/...

The letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton to James Comer explaining their refusal to testify in his Epstein investigation is really remarkable, not like any letter of this genre I've seen. It's signed by them, not a lawyer, and the arguments are not legal ones. Reprinted from their X account:

Funding NHS facilities with private finance a breach of manifesto, Labour MPs say. Govt paid £6 for £1 PFI investment. Private equity profiteering from NHS contracts. Public money buys less. Govt reviving PFI, handing NHS to private equity. Govt can borrow, create money, do QE, tax the rich.

The C13th chapel (with roots reaching back to the C6th) sits cockled onto the rocks of St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire in Wales - a beacon of continuity amidst centuries of shifting tides.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent

UK Deputy PM David Lammy: JD Vance agrees that sexualised AI images on X are ‘unacceptable’. Why does the UK govt need US approval to know what is wrong? Is the UK a sovereign state or not? Must take action against platforms profiting from exploitation and abuse.

Have you seen how Vodafone destroyed the lives of these people?! It’s shocking and it’s the next Post Office Scandal in the making, unless we act now. Pls help these people fighting the corporate giant. Sign and share their petition👇🙏 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...

The intense gaze in 'Madame Canals,' (1905) is the most remarkable feature of Picasso’s markedly classical portrait - it is a composition inspired by traditional Spanish portraits and evokes the typology of figures in Picasso’s previous works, characterised by their slenderness.

I'm running the 2026 TCS London Marathon dressed as a badger to raise money for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the oldest of @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social – celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Please have a laugh at me and help save wildlife! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...

That IS a cake ...

🚨 Nigel Farage’s Reform UK just opened the floodgates to dark money in our politics by becoming the first UK party to accept untraceable crypto donations. Join me and sign the petition to stop shady crypto donations flooding our politics: 38d.gs/xvqe

According to J. Carmichael Watson, the #Gaelic poet Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (Mary MacLeod, c.1615–c.1707), was buried face-down at her own request: “She directed that she should be placed face downward in the grave – ‘beul nam breug a chur foidhpe’” (with her lying mouth down) #WyrdWednesday

Oh, wonderful

🖼️ Eva Melhuish

Someone amazing just sent £50 so we are now only £266 away! www.gofundme.com/f/bee-afford...

Oh, these pieces by Alina Stefanescu are great ...

Looks great!

❛ For / assuming there is / such a secret, yes / for that / most of all. Denise Levertov, who died #OTD in 1997.

Oh! I must try this ... This is like my dreams (not the wings though - not needed) (nor the halo - ditto)

Looking for a last minute gift you don't have to post? We're hosting a POETRY SPA at Bantock House #Wolverhampton Sat 21 February 2026 With guest @lkiew.bsky.social & host Roz Goddard Ticket includes mindful reading, workshop, #poetry discussion, book & cake! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-spa...

I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Richard Meier, winner of the inaugural Picador Poetry Prize in 2010. He was the author of three collections - his most recent ‘After the Miracle’ came out this year: happenstancepress.com/index.php/co... A fine man and a fine poet. #Poetry

A reminder for everyone getting Christmas presents… stay away from the HP merch!!! uk.news.yahoo.com/j-k-rowling-...?

Here they are as promised! A new batch of prompts for 2025 from me to you with love & gratitude. 🎁 Give 15 minutes a day to your writing during this busy season and start 2026 with 15 fresh drafts or at least some glimmers. Use January to polish and send off. ❤ open.substack.com/pub/artoffla...

fun!

Sometimes the images sprayed and spat from aerosol cans onto underpasses are just intended as pretty scenes. Sometimes they represent ghost trees, omenic corvids and fox brides. It's my job know if they are. – Sophie Morley of Woden College's Graffiti Research and Formalisation Team (GRAFT), 1983

The public wants it. MPs voted for it. The House of Lords must not block it. Join me and sign the petition urging Lords to stop delaying and pass the assisted dying bill. 38d.gs/gq6c

oh, this is fun, beautiful, and altogether illuminating ... substack.com/home/post/p-...

💐The countdown is on! 💐MORE FLOWERS releases with @triohousepress.org in less than 60 days, so thank you in advance for your patience with all my little reminders, and please consider pre-ordering at the link. I am super excited to share these poems! triohousepress.myshopify.com/products/mor...

Not👇as many weeks away as you think. If you're feeling strung out pause on my photo & delve into the details-research shows yr stress levels levels will decrease & your mood will lift. *whispers* this is the Feb print of my '26 calendar designed to improve mental health: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...

GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree: 38d.gs/l_kt

Sorry, sorry, a birch tree ...!

This is such a great piece ...

Can you tell me what this fungus is? Under a beech tree. Moderately large, say 5-6 cm across. Thanks!! #fungi #mycology

A crypto investor just donated £9 million to the Reform Party. Right now, billionaires can pour unlimited money into our elections, effectively buying our democracy. Think that's wrong? Add your name to call for a cap on donations today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...

This fabulously moving prose poem by @nessalampert.bsky.social www.serenbooks.com/2025/03/frid...

Our book is out ... renardpress.com/books/the-cu...

hremn, m.n: raven. (H’REH-mun / ˈhrɛ-mən) Image: Psalter of Isabelle of France; England (York), 1303-1308; Munich, @bsbmuenchen.bsky.social Cod.gall. 16, f. 52r. #OldEnglish #WOTD

Adore this prose poem by @aniking.bsky.social!!🔥

Political insider in the BBC ... help to remove him ... 38d.gs/w9ae

Quote with your model of masculinity

If you see this please share (i.e. repost, not just like)! The Barbellion Prize is a unique award for writers with disabilities. We need to raise £20k to secure its future, so please make a donation, no matter how large, no matter how small, here: barbellionprize.org/donate/ Thank you!