I bought this after hearing Elizabeth read at @paulwritespoems.bsky.social’s Open Mic event and it both meticulously and beautiful and is absolutely worth your time, plus the support lineup is stellar. I am already booked elsewhere but if you’re not, you’ll have a treat :D

This week in The Book Bag, we traverse the spaces between past and present, dark and light with Carmella de Keyser in 'Chasms'. Plus a recap, news, opps and of course the playlist. Fans of emotionally resonant poetry will love this book. Take 5 and jump in here...

Here is a poem. ‘The Lanes’.

Slightly Increase a band Clementine Bucks Fizz

Slightly increase a band Wizzards

Have you caught up with part 2 of @rachelturney.bsky.social Poetic Voice feature yet? Two new poems and a Book Bag playlist that comes with a warning!!! 🪩🪩🪩 Catch up here… 🔗 shorturl.at/8jpNJ #poets #poets_community #poetry

A link that works hopefully… In The Book Bag this week is @bethosmond.bsky.social debut pamphlet from @vpresslit.bsky.social ‘Grab this book with both hands…’ Link here shorturl.at/BzVqe Plus all the usual news, recaps, shoutouts and the playlist.

In The Book Bag this week we look at the fragile beginnings of life in this debut pamphlet by Elizabeth Osmond. 'Grab it with both hands and hold it close, it’s a gem of a book.' Also news, opportunities, recaps and of course, the playlist. Why not take 5 and read my thoughts...

It’s #fragmentsfriday - I wasn’t planning on writing but just caught the news… @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social

Excellent night at Write Here, Right Now. I have the ability to finish a poem this weekend thanks to all the valuable insight. Next one in June which will be a party to celebrate over a year of community 🙏🎉🥳🍾🎊🪅🪩

We’re baaaaaacccckkkkk!!! A midweek meandering of poetry. Share your polished gems or roughcut coals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Reader and audience tickets limited to give it an intimate feel. Tickets 🎟️: shorturl.at/Z7pCn

If you heard me read 'resistance' at last night's @paulwritespoems.bsky.social event, I'll be annotating it and talking about it all this week. Welcome to my Protest Era.. no-gloss-no-veneer-no-filter.ghost.io/bit-4-lucky-...

I always love hearing poets read their poetry. I always want poets to feel included and supported. This is why I started The Book Bag Open Mic Sessions. Tonight was another excellent evening. The world needs poets more than ever. Thanks Paul

Really looking forward to welcoming the readers to this evening’s Book Bag Open Mic Session 🙏

Thank you @rachelturney.bsky.social & @wildroofjournal.bsky.social for inviting me to read today and discuss inspirational places. I now have a lot more places to visit! All the poetry shared was incredible 🙏 #PoetryinBrief

Joint first place on #fragmentsfriday @paulwritespoems.bsky.social & @helenlaycock.bsky.social #poetry #poet #poem #writing

Feeling quite overwhelmed so I’ll simply say thank you to everybody who has been part of the #UnwhisperedLegacy journey so far. The world needs poets more than ever. Best & Warmest Wishes Paul #poetrycommunity #poets_community

Blessed Beltane to you all! May 1st and we are welcoming a new Poetic Voice... This month get your dancing shoes on and come hang out in the clubs around the world.... Click to reveal and read her first 3 pieces and a Q&A.

On the final day of April, a small token of thanks to our Poetic Voice - a Book Bag Mini review of #Moth. Read here: shorturl.at/JEXMF Thanks @eleanorholmes.bsky.social

Happening Friday. Come through.

Friday 7pm live via Zoom!!! Join me and a a stellar lineup of Poets sharing words from #UnwhisperedLegacy. Tickets 🎟️: shorturl.at/J2zUY

💖🌸💖🌸

This week in The Book Bag we wnjoy Cherry Blossom At Nightbreak by Rishi Dastidar, published by Nine Arches Press. Plus news, opps and of course the playlist. Take 5 and relax with my htoughts on what is one of the best collections I've read this year.

Coming to a zoom room near you. Join me for a celebration of poetry with an incredible lineup of readers… 🎟️Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1985095180...

Over on X/Twitter I posted this piece in response to a cosmic prompt. Definitely my lowest word count piece! #poetry

On Sunday I shared in some terrific poetic bonhomie at the 🚀 of #Moth from @eleanorholmes.bsky.social who is The Book Bag: Poetic Voice for April. I’ve jus added a 3rd piece to Eleanor’s bumper packed edition. Check it out here: shorturl.at/utWaW

In The Book Bag this week we take a walk in the dazzling light of Neon Manila by Troy Cabida published by Nine Arches Press. Punch poetry with light, shade and vulnerability. Take 5, settle in and read my full thoughts pus there's news, opps, shoutouts and the playlist is another quirky blend.

Mega busy at the moment but can share a recent #gravity poem for #PoemsAbout. This is ‘Gravity Is A Force You Took For Granted’ Will catch up later @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk

Thank you so much Paul. As you know I’m thrilled to be part of your brilliant anthology. 🙏🙏🙏 I have put my recording of Train in the chat below

And the final voices shaping what #TheWhiskeyTree will be: @judemarr.bsky.social @lozzakidwriting.bsky.social @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @ronanmurphymusic.com @victoriaspires.bsky.social @georgiahilton.bsky.social @rotherwrites.bsky.social @johnchmura.bsky.social

Today I’m sharing this piece from #UnwhisperedLegacy by the phenomenal @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social This is ‘Train’ Unwhispered Legacy can be downloaded at shorturl.at/OL5Lc where you can also make an optional donation to @msf.ca #poetry #poets_community

Do you have your tickets to the launch yet? 🦋 Sunday from 730pm. Full details and tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/moth-launc...

Welcome back to The Book Bag where this week I've been reading a book that is candid, funny and real. 'Joy Is My Middle Name' is a fantastic book by Sasha Debevec-McKenney. Also news, playlist opportunities and more. Take five, settle down and dip into this weeks bag...

One of two poems of mine in the inaugural anthology from the Amazing @paulwritespoems.bsky.social Delighted and honoured to have my words in these pages! paulwritespoems.com/unwhispered-...

April’s Poetic Voice is the excellent @eleanorholmes.bsky.social who is sharing work including from her masterpiece #Moth published by @the-ethelzine.bsky.social 🦋 Today I’m sharing her second poem ‘Emperor Gum’ Catch up on the full feature here: shorturl.at/5qL2m

🚀Launch Night🚀 Friday 1st May 7pm 🎟️ Tickets: shorturl.at/wHqzy Join me and a stellar lineup of poets as we celebrate the launch of Unwhispered Legacy

The sky is not a backdrop. It’s a question. #Firmament submissions are open. #Slimline #PoemsAbout #PoetsOfBluesky

Exciting times. Such an awesome and forward thinking journal 👏👏👏

Absolutely thrilled to be part of the Featured Creators section of @fullhouselitmag.bsky.social - thank you for your trust and support of my work. Read/Listen here: shorturl.at/LtKnD #poetry #poetrycommunity

Celebrate Ēostre’s Day with me. #poetry #BlueSkyPoets

In The Book Bag this week, one of the most important poetry collections I've read. Strike by Sarah Wimbush and published by Stairwell Books examines the 1984/5 Miner's Strike. Plus news, opportunities, shoutouts and a playlist. Take 5 and read my thoughts here.

Enjoy a Good Friday with some excellent poetry, harp, artwork and a Q&A with the tremendously talented @eleanorholmes.bsky.social 🪉

Thrilled to have a poem live with @afterpoetry.com. Such a fantastic site! This poem was written back in 2024, before my spider poems, and after a very special puzzle ✨🌸

Time to celebrate this wonderful anthology curated by @paulwritespoems.bsky.social, which aside from being brilliant & featuring many fantastic poems and poets, is also raising money for Médecins sans Frontières. You can download a copy & donate via this link 🫶🏼 paulwritespoems.com/unwhispered-...

It is OUT! With thanks to @paulwritespoems.bsky.social for this fabulous anthology! 🩵 paulwritespoems.com/unwhispered

Download your copy of, "Unwhispered Legacy", the Gorgeous inaugural anthology from @paulwritespoems.bsky.social The Book Bag! I am delighted and humbled to share pages in this collection with so many incredible writers! paulwritespoems.com/unwhispered-...

A little message from me about #UnwhisperedLegacy Available to download here: shorturl.at/8Vlrs Proudly raising money for @msf.ca

Congratulations 🎉

It's April 1st which I find quite frightening. Spring has properly sprung and a new month brings a new Poetic Voice to The Book Bag. This month we are treated to an incredible poet who has a thing for moths... We have poems, interview and a bonus recording. Click here to unveil April's Voice

Delighted to have contributed to this, alongside a host of brilliant other voices. If you can support, that'd be wonderful.