Ten compelling poems about climate change – with @juliebird.bsky.social making the case for Prayer at Seventy by Vicki Feaver (2019) #Literature #Poetry #Arts 📖 theconversation.com/ten-compelli...

I am feeling my age as far as technology and social media is concerned. I used to love Twitter but it's a dead space now as far as any meaningful contact is concerned. Most of my younger friends seem to use Instagram but I find that baffling. Is Bluesky the answer?

Is there anyone here who is interested in poetry and auto theory? I'm doing a critical / creative PhD and sometimes I feel a bit isolated.

Nottingham Stanza met yesterday and celebrated the life of Benjamin Zephaniah. We watched him performing some of his poems, read out our favourites and had some really interesting conversations about poetry.

Nottingham Stanza met yesterday to discuss Fiona Moore's wonderful book, 'Okapi'. It's one long poem (just over 50 pages) and it is extraordinary. You have to concentrate and take it slowly but it is so beautifully crafted and very moving. I want everyone to read it.

If everyone who followed me bought my poetry pamphlet, I'd be a best seller. A woman can dream.

I'm still a bit baffled by Bluesky. I keep getting new followers but hardly any of them make contact. I'm guessing they're not following me for my wit and wisdom.

Sometimes I think that everybody is writing but nobody is reading. (Although at the moment I'm reading a lot and writing quite a lot too - (and deleting nearly as much!)

Nottingham Stanza met today to discuss Ian Duhig's 'An Arbitrary Light Bulb.' You have to put in some work to appreciate a lot of these poems - but the general consensus was they're worth the effort.

Today, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde boldly called out Donald Trump for his hatred and bigotry at the National Cathedral Prayer Service. Now, the GOP is attacking her for speaking truth to power. REPOST if you stand with Bishop Budde against Trump!

Today the Nottingham Stanza group meet to read and talk about John Burnside's last collection 'Ruin, Blossom'.

I've been pretty quiet on here so I'm (pleasantly) surprised, to keep getting followers and slightly baffled to be honest. I'd like to interact a bit more so if you see this, say hello.

Second attempt at making Welsh cakes was a disaster. I have decided life is too short to make Welsh cakes.

Grandchild in a laundry basket

A few people have sent me messages on this platform. I only respond to messages from people I actually know.

My Welsh mother, who died when I was still a teenager, made the best Welsh cakes. I have often bought them but today is the first time I tried actually making them. They look like Welsh cakes - and they're edible. That's all I'm saying.

I keep trying to write something eloquent and just being tired. History matters. Philosophy matters. Languages and literature matter. Indigenous studies matter. Arts and humanities and social sciences matter. All of them. Signed, a physicist

Cat on a coat

I know I should submit more often to have any hope of getting more poems published - but it's discouraging when you're promised a response in 2 to 3 weeks and 6 weeks later, despite a polite reminder, there's nothing to report.

Cat in a backpack

Cat in box

I love that so many writers and poets seem to be gathering - it gives me hope in what seems like a very scary world. Tonight I saw a wonderful production of The Magic Flute and it made me think about how important the arts are.

Finding the warm places.

I've found (and been found by) so many poets here. After just over a week I'm feeling very positive.

Another cat picture.

If a magazine says they will respond to submissions in 2 - 3 weeks and to contact them if you haven't heard - and so after three weeks you contact them and a week later you still haven't heard, what would you do?

This was my lovely cat. I had to find him a new home when I moved to a city flat but, even though I love my city life, I still miss him. So I'm going to post pictures of him because I always enjoy looking at random cat pictures.

People often ask me to name my favourite poet but I can't possibly narrow it down to one, and even top ten proves problematic. But 3 that I've enjoyed a lot recently Rebecca Goss, A E Stallings and Barbara Kingsolver (who knew she also wrote poems?)

Newbie helping newbies: if you are looking for a way to connect with more likeminded people, check this AMAZING way of finding them: blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...

Thank you to all those who have followed me back - mostly poets and writers I'm guessing, with maybe a few academics. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all. I'm also into classical music, opera and politics although I no longer support a particular party. Definitely leftish though.

I'm still finding this platform confusing (I know I'm technically challenged! I still listen to CDs) but I will persevere because I suspect I will get the hang of it eventually.

I'm currently about half way through a critical and creative PhD focussing on voice and silence in poetry. (Contemporary women poets). Just in case there's anyone out there who's interested.

This is my first post - still trying to work out how it works. Any friendly advice gratefully received.

I've just joined - so not quite sure what to expect. I come in peace.