Here's a spur-of-the-moment bash at responding to today's #poemsabout prompt from @thebrokenspine.co.uk - #riots ... Riots How anything can serve a purpose other than it was created for - a bottle, a paving slab, a streetside cafe table, a young man, a song.

Doubtless will scribble a poetic something after a memorable visit today to an underground sculpture exhibition at Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean!!!

Happy Monday! For a poetic #lifttothesky with @thebrokenspine.co.uk today I'd like to throw a light on this poem by @victoriaspires.bsky.social that was commended in last year's TPW Poetry Prize - a beautiful piece of 3 stanza observation & a 💥 finale!

Mary Oliver poems - whats not to like?!!!

Just had a message about bluesky verifying me as an adult in order to access chat feature on bluesky - I WON'T be giving them credit card details or allowing a face scan so if you ever want to get in touch just do it through an open posting 👍

It's here! Over 150 calls for literary competitions & submissions incl. poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, photography & more - contests, literary journals, residencies, bursaries etc - open or with deadlines in August 2025. Good luck & pls share. www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog...

Competition time! Our latest competition is on the theme of Turning Points judged by Rebecca Watts. All info available on our website. #poetrycompetition #poetry

Every Wednesday morning from 7:30-8am, a group of writers gather round my virtual table to explore the work of one poet, noting craft, and then write to 3 prompts (w/ recording available for those who prefer to write at another time). Join us via my Substack - shorturl.at/Ox9P4

I find depictions of age more interesting as I get older!!! This one, a Stanley Spencer self portrait, is among works of his acting as an inspiration for me to write a series of poems based around his art

I know folk have mixed reactions to the world of literary prizes, but I welcome their shortlists as a nudge towards what I wouldn't otherwise read. Currently enjoying 'Southermost Sonnets' by Leo Boix as a result of its Foward shortlisting

In the last couple of days I've been captivated by this poem by Edward Salem in the current Poetry Review ...... that last line!....... so here it is as my #lifttothesky for @thebrokenspine.co.uk today

A little poetic response to a flower display...........

Another interesting poetic post from the North Sea Poets 👍

It's here! Over 160 calls for literary competitions & submissions including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, photography, & more - contests, literary journals, residencies, bursaries etc - open or with deadlines in July 2025. Best of luck & pls share! www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog...

For #lifttothesky today with @thebrokenspine.co.uk I'm lifting a poet who needs no lifting from me!! ...... but I saw this Kim Addonizio poem over the weekend & loved it, so here it is!

My candidate for #lifttothesky today with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social is this great pamphlet by Davina Prince pub. by New Walk Editions - poems that explore 'average moments'! ..... deceptively straightforward poems that reward chewing over 👍

A beautifully written piece by Niall Campbell 💎

Very happy to be featured on Mark Owen's @markantonyowen.com 'After.....' project for ekphrastic poetry 😊

Chuffed that Mark has included my ekphrastic take on Cornelia Parker in his excellent 'After...' project - many thanks @markantonyowen.com

For a #lifttothesky with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social today I'd like to highlight this by a smashin' poet, Molly Twomey @mollytwomey.bsky.social (from her collection 'Raised Among Vultures')

For #lifttothesky today with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social I'd like to highlight a new poetry journal, 'The Little Review' ..... pocket-sized but with a punch!! thelittlereview.co.uk for info The sample poem is by Carrie Etter

If anyone, between now & midnight on 15/6, orders Come Here to This Gate directly from Carcanet, then sends proof & an address to me in a DM/email, I'll send you a signed copy of its predecessor, Sweet Nothings (or another of my books, if you have that). www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017396...

Are you following #NorthSeaPoets on Substack? Subscribe for reflections on poetry, poetics and the writing life that compliment our online courses and events delivered straight to your inbox ✉️ Sign up at northseapoets.substack.com 🌊 #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity

Spent glorious moments last week in Yorkshire watching & listening to skylarks...... thank you John Glenday, @johnglenday.bsky.social this is better than a photograph to remember them by!

@brokenspinearts.bsky.social @alanparry83.bsky.social For #LiftToTheSky I must celebrate the brilliant JJ Bola, I heard him read this poem on Saturday morning and will not forget open.substack.com/pub/jjbola/p...

My #lifttothesky this week with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social is this lovely looking collection by Ian Humphreys - reads as well as it looks!!!

Spent some time this week re-acquainting myself with this collection - not disappointed!

Was grabbed by this amazing image today & am taking advantage of #poemsabout to post it! I've attached my snap response & offer it for the #defeat prompt from @brokenspinearts.bsky.social ....... I suspect it'll read quite differently after a few days contemplation & fiddling!

Was grabbed by this amazing image today & am taking advantage of #poetsabout to post it! I've attached my snap response & offer it for the #defeat prompt from @brokenspinearts.bsky.social ....... I suspect it'll read quite differently after a few days contemplation & fiddling!

Many congrats to @samueltongue.bsky.social on winning this monthly comp 💥... a real gem of a poem 💎. This Verve monthly is a great comp - if youve not seen it, it's worth a look 👍 www.instagram.com/p/DKPFf9gMvc...

This......

Absolutely chuffed that a poem of mine is being included in 'Rites & Trials: Coming-Of-Age Poetry' — the fifth edition in The Broken Spine’s Thematic Slimline Poetry Anthology Series..... and alongside many much-admired poets 😊😊. Many thanks @alanparry83.bsky.social

A #lifttothesky with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social from me today for New Walk Editions based in Leicester ...... enjoying their recent pamphlet by Polly Walshe newwalkmagazine.com/wp-content/u...

A pilgrimage with a performance of cello, poems & art around every English cathedral......... happening now in a cathedral near you!

Good morning to all at #poemsabout today! with thanks again to @brokenspinearts.bsky.social for holding this weekly gathering. Here's my go at this week's prompt #glory

New post 📰 The Fog House: Lesley Harrison on foggy retreats and making a home in the shadows Read the full piece here: buff.ly/AUsPHbF #NorthSeaPoets #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky

You are warmly invited to the Zoom launch of Regine Ebner’s 'Mountains that See in the Dark', with special guests! Make a date for this and book now! Unmissable. 🏜️ 7th JUNE, 6.30PM, UK TIME. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/regine-ebn...

Morning Walk A hedge waves it's/ Medusa head / of weaving honeysuckle

Out-&-about and round-&-through over this weekend but here's a go at the #green prompt for #poemsabout with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social Will catch up with everyone's poems during next week👍

For my #lifttothesky today with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social I'd like to give a shout out for libraries like Ross on Wye who give a public face to poetry...... like this beauty I discovered there last week 💥

Latest post from North Sea Poets is a cracker by @johnglenday.bsky.social 👍 northseapoets.substack.com/p/the-harpoc...

Are you a poet interested in getting published? Don't miss this event with @niallpoetry.bsky.social Getting Ready for Publication: Getting the Pamphlet Right 📆 9th May ⏰ 11am-12:30pm 🎟️ £30/£20 Book your place: buff.ly/R8AhrJC #NorthSeaPoets #PoetryWorkshop #PoetrySky

If you're in and around Bristol then here's a great night of poetry for you 👍..........

Happy #poemsabout day to all poeting today 👋 & thanks to @brokenspinearts.bsky.social again for establishing this forum 👍. Here's my go at the #wolvesatthedoor prompt - needs more work but have enjoyed playing with it!

Cock-a-hoop to be included in the latest Alchemy Spoon, among such a great gang of poets. Very many thanks to Roger Bloor, Diana Cant & @marymulholland.bsky.social

Midweek check-in: How’s your #PoemsAbout poem for #WolvesAtTheDoor coming along? 📅 Share it Friday for feedback from @alanparry83.bsky.social. 💬 Support the poetry pack—read & comment on 3+ poems to keep the energy flowing. The best poetry howls with truth. #Authentic #TakeRisks

Have you started your #PoemsAbout for #WolvesAtTheDoor yet? 📅 Share it Friday for feedback from @alanparry83.bsky.social. 💬 Strengthen the pack: Comment on 3+ poems to grow the community. Write bold, untamed poetry that #TakesRisks!

For a #lifttothesky today with @brokenspinearts.bsky.social I'm sharing this poem by Eamon Grennan - a poet I really appreciate.

Join me and this amazingness of poets next Saturday 26 April at 7.00pm - poems to heal the hurt and heart on World Healing Day www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/last-satur...

The #poemsabout prompt from @brokenspinearts.bsky.social today is #gutterprayer - here's mine, with thanks to @alanparry83.bsky.social for corralling this Friday poetic get together 👍