I've been working on a collection which clashes ideas of fatherhood, domesticity and elegy with the video game series Final Fantasy VII. Beyond excited to share the title poem - 'the yellow bird' - published by the fantastic @AtriumPoetry
I've read a tonne of stuff on the bard and this is - maybe surprisingly - right at the top of the pile. Despite her magnificence, Judi lets the plays take centre stage. No ego, all gold. 10/10, shook my spear.
Since the start of everyone's favourite month, I've been dedicating an hour a day to making poems. It's really no time at all, but I'm already feeling the anxiety of not doing enough lift a wee bit.
A hugely well-deserved winner of the @tseliotprize! Glad I wasn't involved in making the call though - it's fair to say this year the prize could have gone to any of the shortlist. Any poets thirsting for their next dose of heavenly manna - start with this lot! @picadorbooks
As poets, I think a lot of us shy away from seeing science as a muse, settling for the usual mythologies. Not so for Sarah Howe. Nestled between the twin strands of the double helix, these poems feel poignant, trend-setting, trailblazing - plainly spoken and magically wrought.
Ash Bowden's 'Composting' introduces magic and conspiracy to the ordinary scene of a compost bin.
Read it here: https://t.co/qfZ6rysSFN
#Composting#FeaturedPoem#InkSweatandTears
Despite its title, this is a loudly triumphant debut from @victoriaadukwei, which finds some seriously inventive angles to explore what it means to be black. If, like me, you're late to the party in reading this stunner - definitely one for the Xmas wish list.
@FaberBooks#poetry
It was the honour of my life to win @GirtonCollege's Jane Martin prize a couple of years back. Cannot recommend it enough. Easy peasy to submit your best poems: https://t.co/tSOmc9y3po
Why do we feel bad for reading widely? This is a kids book from 25 years ago. There's a scene where an angel keeps randomly gliding up & making circles in the sky to show its grief. What an image. What an inspiration. Stop feeling bad.
In tribute to the late Tony Harrison, @BBCRadio4 will be rebroadcasting this 2013 feature on v., his controversial long poem. Tony Harrison read the poem in full, and Blake Morrison discussed the poem's impact.
Tune in at 11pm tonight, or listen later.
https://t.co/t5Z8nV2nD1
Can see why this one's shortlisted for the @tseliotprize - Tom Paulin has pulled a blinder, reinventing himself after a decade of silence with some of the most raw and humble approaches to depression I've read... ever?
he Poets' Version of Beckett: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail worse. No matter. Try again. Fail far worse still. Try again. Fail beyond your imagination's ability to comprehend the scale of possible failures open to you . . .' (continued on p.94).
MAGMA POETRY COMPETITION 2025/26 is open for entries in both categories:
The Judge’s Prize – poems of 11 to 50 lines
The Editors’ Prize – poems of up to 10 lines
Deadline 31 January 2026
This year's judge is Rishi Dastidar @BetaRish
Good luck!
https://t.co/GRCIM2zl3y
This one means a lot. My poem 'centurion' is included in the latest edition of the immaculate Poetry Scotland. I wrote it in memory of my mate, Lewis, who passed away not so long ago. Lewis - sorry we never finished our game, rest assured I'm keeping it alive.