Contrary to my earlier claim to have started writing poems a couple of years ago, I just remembered these. Written in desperation as I didn't have enough gas in the tank to write proper match reports for a 2018 World Cup project. Happy World Poetry Day! 😂

You have to write for the love, because the publishing process and response can be upsetting, and the accolades so few (especially for poetry) yet there are collections I love that received little attention. But that creative rush is very special – no one can take it away

This will be good. You should come. Paul is a very good egg.

Thanks to the support of a fantastic Sensei, Mr Lee Adams, and my son, Nat, I was awarded my black belt in Uechi Ryu karate this weekend. Doing a Dan grading in Germany, in front some of the very best in the world was incredible. An honour I'm very lucky to have been granted. Now the work begins.

So this has been in the world 24 hours now, and I'm blown away by the range of voices and the skill on show. I've had some very kind words for my own efforts, which is - of course - lovely, but this really works best seen as a collective, collaborative project - curated with care and skill.

The weekend's gone, but this Monday's a happier one than most thanks to @markantonyowen.com and wave 23 of iamb. Three poems from me to kick things off, the wonderful @victoriaspires.bsky.social closing the gig, and the quality throughout is superb! www.iambapoet.com/wave/23-barn...

Don't miss this, poets – the new wave, AND your chance to appear in a future one. I have two years' worth of spaces to fill. Help a publisher out? 🥹😉

A lovely review of what was a great evening.

Me: The first rule of Marketing is to concentrate on the value to your audience, not on how news makes "you" "feel". Also me: But I feel pretty fucking happy about this! Read (and hear) poems by 15 poets (of which I'm one) in the latest wave of iamb. Goes live in two weeks!

Me: The first rule of Marketing is to concentrate on the value to your audience, not on how news makes "you" "feel". Also me: But I feel pretty fucking happy about this! Read (and hear) poems by 15 poets (of which I'm one) in the latest wave of iamb. Goes live in two weeks!

A serving suggestion I can properly get on board with...

A good time to stock up My personal suggestions would be @rushikawick.bsky.social @danielghinds.bsky.social plus Fiona Benson and Tom Branfoot (neither of whom I can't find on here), but there's no shortage af great books on that list! 25% is a brilliant offer - don't (Broken) sleep!

Competition closes on 1st April. Final call from here. www.therialto.co.uk/pages/nature...

A sharply-worded, atmospheric, mysterious poem in our winter edition by BB newcomer @jahshabby.bsky.social - you should hear Barnie read too!

In my professional capacity (copywriter), I'm always telling clients to focus on their audience, not themselves. I couldn't be happier to break that rule to share the news that I've had a poem accepted for the @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social winter anthology. Follow for more me-related content.

A post of thank yous. To @favlit.org and The Little Green Bookshop for sponsoring and hosting. To @sarahhehir.bsky.social , Jake Nathan, and @jpseabright.bsky.social for being so erudite and ace. And to all those who gave their attention and shared their words. Better than I dared to hope!

Last call! Page vs. Stage: at @favlit.org TOMORROW! Where does poetry live its best life, between the covers or on the boards? You get a lively panel discussion, then the mic for yourself! Open mic slots available (first come, first served). Sat 1 Mar, 12:30pm @ The Arden Theatre. £10.

Page vs. Stage: at @favlit.org THIS SATURDAY! Where does poetry live its best life, between the covers or on the boards? Join in with a lively panel discussion, then take the mic yourself! Open mic slots available (first come, first served). Sat 1 Mar, 12:30pm @ The Arden Theatre. £10.

Page vs. Stage: at @favlit.org THIS SATURDAY! Where does poetry live its best life, between the covers or on the boards? Join in with a lively panel discussion, then take the mic yourself! Open mic slots available (first come, first served). Sat 1 Mar, 12:30pm @ The Arden Theatre. £10.

‘This was the time of the uncomfortable tempo and its equally uncomfortable dance style: the mechanical inexorable. You can hear this on the record and hear how well it suits Faithfull’s direct approach.’ Lavinia Greenlaw on 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

Hello bluesky friends. I'm after some advice. I want recommendations for an audiobook about poetry (but not actual poetry). Matthew Hollis's "The Waste Land: A biography of a poem" is my gold standard (mainly as it's read by him). Pleaseandthankyou B

Hello bluesky friends. I'm after some advice. I want recommendations for an audiobook about poetry (but not actual poetry). Matthew Hollis's "The Waste Land: A biography of a poem" is my gold standard (mainly as it's read by him). Pleaseandthankyou B

Just finished a poem for my girlfriend of 31 years. I was going to present it as a Valentine's gift (though we never do them). I thought it was a sweet piece about partnership and facing life together. I just read it back and can confirm that it's actually... Bleak. As. Fuck. Oops!

VG from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social but as others have said the historical analogy is wrong. Chamberlain wasn't a Nazi fellow-traveller. AfD supporter and far-right propagandist Goodwin is much closer to Oswald Mosley.

Page vs. Stage: at @favlit.org Where does poetry live its best life, between the covers or on the boards? Join in with a lively panel discussion, then take the mic yourself! Open mic slots available (first come, first served). Sat 1 Mar, 12:30pm @ The Arden Theatre. £10.

There's some serious skill on display here from Camille Ralphs. Studied and clever, but lots of fun too.

There's some serious skill on display here from Camille Ralphs. Studied and clever, but lots of fun too.

I know I've posted a lot about @propelmagazine.bsky.social issue 13, but bear with me... I'm so chuffed to be among the work on show here. Poems like Axe Edge, by @danielnixonpoet.bsky.social (I hope I've tagged the right account). Listen while you read. www.propelmagazine.co.uk/daniel-nixon...

Page vs. Stage: at @favlit.org Where does poetry live its best life, between the covers or on the boards? Join in with a lively panel discussion, then take the mic yourself! Open mic slots available (first come, first served). Sat 1 Mar, 12:30pm @ The Arden Theatre. £10.

Tiers-Etat - Lettre d'un Bidasse [France, Garage Punk/Rock] 1983 https://redd.it/kpo3vh https://youtu.be/FRoQJiNa4Rc

My (not quite) daily reminder that @propelmagazine.bsky.social is well worth a look this month. I've got a poem in there, sure I do, but that aside, there's absolute GOLD in this issue. So, SO good. www.propelmagazine.co.uk/issue-13-con...

'Nothing is adapted to the fret / of LED and blockwork' Amongst ‘livestock’ by John Burnside

My (not quite) daily reminder that @propelmagazine.bsky.social is well worth a look this month. I've got a poem in there, sure I do, but that aside, there's absolute GOLD in this issue. So, SO good. www.propelmagazine.co.uk/issue-13-con...

Trump's rollback on DEI has taken hold quicker than expected... Holy, and indeed, shit!

Reposted this the other day, but as you can't repost twice, I thought I'd just post anew! Ringo is a boss drummer, and I'll fight* anyone who disagrees. *(No of COURSE I won't but, thankfully, the evidence presented here means I don't have to in any case - SUCH a groove!)

An excellent literary magazine, edited by @richardnskinner.bsky.social -- please support if you can gofund.me/e4873cfd

There's a good poetry community here. I'd like to call on you all for reposts, likes and shares. 14 magazine needs our help. It's an important publication, promoting new voices in poetry and raising them up. It's also in trouble. Donate if you can. Share if you can't. Ideally both X

Well, hello there... This is all rather lovely. To have someone say they like your poem is lovely. When that person is a poet, it's a big deal. When that person is a poet whose work you own and love, that's pretty much end-of-level boss validation. Out tomorrow.

Well, hello there... This is all rather lovely. To have someone say they like your poem is lovely. When that person is a poet, it's a big deal. When that person is a poet whose work you own and love, that's pretty much end-of-level boss validation. Out tomorrow.

I’m not sure these fucksticks realise that there are entire generations of us brought up on tales of horrible revenge meted out to fascists.

What do you get with a ticket to Page vs Stage @favlit.org ? A panel discussion looking at page poetry and performance pieces, plus an open mic at the beautiful Arden Theatre. But! Open mic spots are limited - the earlier you buy your ticket, the better your chances of being heard!

What do you get with a ticket to Page vs Stage @favlit.org ? A panel discussion looking at page poetry and performance pieces, plus an open mic at the beautiful Arden Theatre. But! Open mic spots are limited - the earlier you buy your ticket, the better your chances of being heard!

My son, 17, has discovered the joys of Rubber Soul-era Beatles. About 35 years ago, I'd just done the same. He's done this without any prompt or steer from me, and I can't help but find the whole thing incredibly comforting. It's fucking loud though. I'm going to have to get up.

Pleasantly surprised that Ringo’s drums on Don’t Pass Me By sound like something by The Beastie Boys…! youtu.be/H-Kf8YoJ-6g?...

Imagine reading your poetry on this stage to a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive audience. Now make that mental image reality, by attending Page vs Stage, at 12.30pm on 1st March, in the beautiful Arden Theatre for @favlit.org See the link in comments to grab tickets and secure your spot.

Imagine reading your poetry on this stage to a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive audience. Now make that mental image reality, by attending Page vs Stage, at 12.30pm on 1st March, in the beautiful Arden Theatre for @favlit.org See the link in comments to grab tickets and secure your spot.

The countdown has started. This today at 11am. Verse. Libre.

Looking forward to being on this panel at Faversham Literary Festival