Looking forward to this 🙏🎄🎅☃️🦌

Quite overwhelmed by all the positive feedback from the inaugural Book Bag Open Mic Session that happened years evening. The next session will take place in January. Huge thanks to all the readers and audience members who made it a great evening. The poetry was exquisite. 🙏

Thank you to all who made tonight’s first Book Bag Open Mic Session. Absolutely stellar poetry throughout with incredible support and encouragement 🙏. @gillbarr.bsky.social @alanparrywriter.co.uk @helenlaycock.bsky.social @jahshabby.bsky.social @markantonyowen.com @victoriaspires.bsky.social

For Remembrance Sunday, this is ‘Sense of Death’ (published in Anarkiss Zine issue 9) #LestWeForget

This week in The Book Bag we cross the lines between light and dark in The Liminal Light of the Night by Carmella de Keyser, published by Hedgehog Poetry Press. This prize-winning pamphlet is a combination of stellar poetry and stunning art. Plus recap, news, playlist and more...

Excited / nervous for this tomorrow night 🤩 Audience tickets still available 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-book-b...

Is your alarm ⏰ set for 8am Sunday? The Book Bag is hovering the lines between in The Liminal Light Of The Night. Read my thoughts on @carmellapoetry.bsky.social pamphlet published by @hedgehogpress.co.uk from tomorrow 📚💼

For this week's #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors, I'm thinking about trying to open and failing. Thank you to the host @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers. #poetry #poem #writing #PoetryCommunity #BlueSkyPoets

Many thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk for yet another thought-provoking #PoemsAbout prompt #LockedDoors. Here's my response and I look forward to catching up with others later #PoetryCommunity #BlueSkyPoets

You want to know me? A key woven from starlight, Is what you'll need. For @thebrokenspine.co.uk #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors #Haiku #Poetry #Senryu

Hello #poetrycommunity @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk This is my slim offering for todays #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors thanks as always to reader and sharers I’ll be popping in and out as time allows. Looking forward to your contributions. #poetry #poems

Something very rough and ready for #poemsabout #lockeddoors, definitely a work in progress! Thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk / @thebrokenspine.co.uk and everyone who keeps this wonderful thing going!

When I saw the theme for this week I thought all my poems are about locked doors! The #poemsabout #lockeddoors gives me the perfect opportunity to reshare my poem "Host", which was published by @viridinelit.bsky.social in its summer issue on Identity @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk

For #poemsabout #LockedDoors @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk

My #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors was a bit of a hurried affair - which is ironic considering the subject matter! And yes I know she’s a hermaphrodite -maybe that’s my picturebook-writing coming through or maybe it’s significant - you decide! 😊Thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk 🥰 @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry

#PoemsAbout #LockedDoors @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk [thanks for the timely 'prompt'] behind me now the exit door & years of contesting a lived experience disabling my clean bill of health no going back. caution going forwards

#PoemsAbout #LockedDoors @thebrokenspine.co.uk 🙏 to @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social & best wishes to @alanparrywriter.co.uk #poetry / #photography: ©Jan Peters/Solivagant Wisdom, 2025/2024 #Symbolism #ZinaidaGippius #monochrome #ImageAndVerse #DepthPsychology #bskypoetry #poetrycommunity

It’s after midnight so here’s my piece for #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors ‘Saturday Exile c.2002’ Another excellent prompt. @thebrokenspine.co.uk Looking forward to reading and replying on Friday and over the weekend

@merrildsmith.bsky.social fantastic collection Held Inside The Folds of a time is in The Book Bag today. Published by @janes-studio.bsky.social Plus all the regular shouts/news/opps and playlist @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @fullhouselitmag.bsky.social @eatthestorms.com

The Book Bag is Held Inside The Folds Of Time this week. A fantastic collection by Merril D Smith, published by Jane's Studio Press. A fantastic collection with pieces that cling to the mind like a fine November drizzle. A perfect gift for the festive season. Plus news, shoutouts and playlist

Happy Publication Day @fullhouselitmag.bsky.social delighted to have a poem with you the day before I'm off on an adventure to start my residency at Skara Bibliotek! 🇸🇪https://www.fullhouseliterary.com/issue-2-2025-online-pieces/phaeton-by-sarah-wallis

Absolutely buzzing to be in this excellent issue 🤩

Its November 1st. That means it's time for a new Poetic Voice as part of The Book Bag. I am beyond thrilled to welcome the exceptional Rebecca Goss. Read the first part of Rebecca's feature here and book mark this post to return to throughout November.

For the #PoemsAbout #Blood prompt, here is mine. ‘A Study in Crimson’. Thanks @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk for the prompt. Will be catching up after work / over the weekend.

Feels freezing outside but says 10 on my weather app 🧐

Support Poets & Presses. Give fellow poetics gift inspiration. Details on how to add to the list here: tinyurl.com/2kaycbbw 🎄🎄🎄

In The Book Bag this week: Wonderful by Harry Baker published by Burning Eye Books. The playlist is upbeat Plus News/Opps/Shouts @frazzledlit.bsky.social @thebrokenspine.co.uk @markantonyowen.com @icefloepress.bsky.social

The Book Bag is here. This week has been Wonderful. Written by superstar poet Harry Baker and published by Burning Eye Books, this charming collection definitely brought me joy. Also the playlist and news and opportunities with shout outs. Take 5 and dive in...

I'm not sure it's as strong as I wanted. I might tweek the end or add a stanza later. But for now, here it is. Enjoy 🤗 #poemsabout #burnforthecamera #poem #poetry #poemaday #skypoem #skypoetry

Fine contributions today to the #BurnForTheCamera #PoemsAbout theme. Check them out under the hashtags Two days ago I posted a piece (below) which touches on related issues

For this week's #PoemsAbout #BurnForTheCamera, I'm thinking about proof of visibility. Thank you to the host @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers. #poetry #poem #writing #PoetryCommunity #BlueSkyPoets

A poem for #poemsabout prompt #burnforthecamera This #haikuset is for J who passed away suddenly at Christmas. So missed. So loved. “Sail on, float free, just be” Miss you. #haiku #haikuset #HaikuAltText #poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk

What does the gaze erase? This traces disappearance through exposure, each frame a small cremation, each flash a forgetting. The dark room is inside us. #PoemsAbout #BurnForTheCamera Thanks to @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk

A compact #PoemsAbout #BurnfortheCamera today. Will catch up this evening and over the weekend looking forward to seeing interpretations. Here is ‘Lens Work’ A great prompt @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk

Write Here, Right Now: an inclusive, supportive and welcoming online writing group. Next session is November. The process works.

Should really be writing 🤔

A 3rd poem added to this months featured Poetic Voice, Read here 🤩 paulwritespoems.com/2025/10/01/t...

A #lifttothesky for @marcellenewbold.bsky.social one of the busiest people in poetry, who is always super insightful and supportive- also was a guest on the @eatthestorms.com pod which dropped yesterday

A #lifttothesky for @merrildsmith.bsky.social who had the online launch of her collection yesterday 👏👏👏

@afterpoetry.com’s focus on ekphrastic poetry deserves a #lifttothesky from the #poetrycommunity Submissions open!

It’s here. The Book Bag with @gillbarr.bsky.social collection A Wide River Divides Us published by Cinnamon Press Plus news & opps including; @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @frazzledlit.bsky.social @eatthestorms.com

The Book Bag is here. This week we cross A Wide River Divides by Gill Barr, published by Cinnamon Press. One of the top ten books I've read this year. Read my thoughts here. Also news, opps and the regular playlist.

The Book Bag needs your help (and so do people looking to buy pamphlets, collections and anthologies for the upcoming festive season. You, yes you poetry enthusiast make a difference to poets, presses and friends this year. I ho ho hope to read your recommendations soon. All details here!

Busy day for me. However here’s a quick draft of a piece for the #PoemsAbout #BreakingTheMould prompt. This is ‘Stunted’ @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk

It’s here! The Book Bag featuring Eileen Carney Hulme published by @hedgehogpress.co.uk Somewhere A Tree Waits For An Angel Or A Butterfly Plus News, Recap, Playlist & A Callout

Excellent @leiabutler.bsky.social 👏👏👏

For this week's #PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe, I'm thinking about a small devotion to the unhinged and unhealed parts of ourselves. Thank you to the host @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers. #poetry #poem #writing #PoetryCommunity #BlueSkyPoets

Had time today to compose something for #poemsabout #ImperfectMe... A fascinating subject, inspiring so much #poetry, plus introspection, I'm sure. (Apologies, @alanparrywriter.co.uk Posting a little early - 4 hours before midnight - as tomorrow is busy) @thebrokenspine.co.uk

How is it Friday?! This week it’s #PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe This is ‘Sudden Impacts & Ripples’ Will try to catch up through the day and after work. @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk great to see the community growing

Incredible evening at Write Here, Right Now. A saxophone welcome. A cosmic prompt, celebrations, discussions. I just want to say thank you to everyone who attends. My writing has improved and pieces worked on in group have given me success. Insight and perspectives are greatly appreciated. 🙏