Dawn McLachlan
@deemclachlan.bsky.social
Poet, author, bookseller, librarian, allotmenteer, for hire or loan. Won some poetry prizes. Account is stuff from a small rural town in NE Scotland. Seeking publisher
#FridayPoem
She/Her
https://dawnmclachlan.com/
#FridayPoem
She/Her
https://dawnmclachlan.com/
Pinned
No more #FridayPoems for a while as I’m busy tidying up the last bits for publication of my new poetry book.
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Pat McFadden is asked, how much cash is Peter Mandelson getting after being sacked as ambassador. He says thats a matter between Mandelson & the foreign office.
No susprise that McFadden, who exploited his expenses to pocket £40,000 of our money, thinks its not a matter for us.
No susprise that McFadden, who exploited his expenses to pocket £40,000 of our money, thinks its not a matter for us.
February 8, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Pat McFadden is asked, how much cash is Peter Mandelson getting after being sacked as ambassador. He says thats a matter between Mandelson & the foreign office.
No susprise that McFadden, who exploited his expenses to pocket £40,000 of our money, thinks its not a matter for us.
No susprise that McFadden, who exploited his expenses to pocket £40,000 of our money, thinks its not a matter for us.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
That day,
the evening sky itself
seemed afflicted—
slashed pink & red
like a flock of
flamingos standing
in a blood lagoon—
an insurrection
of the elements
holding us culpable,
a price to pay
for escaping
life's dull rhythm—
but we'd justify
our actions
by living the night
as if it was
our last.
the evening sky itself
seemed afflicted—
slashed pink & red
like a flock of
flamingos standing
in a blood lagoon—
an insurrection
of the elements
holding us culpable,
a price to pay
for escaping
life's dull rhythm—
but we'd justify
our actions
by living the night
as if it was
our last.
February 7, 2026 at 10:48 AM
That day,
the evening sky itself
seemed afflicted—
slashed pink & red
like a flock of
flamingos standing
in a blood lagoon—
an insurrection
of the elements
holding us culpable,
a price to pay
for escaping
life's dull rhythm—
but we'd justify
our actions
by living the night
as if it was
our last.
the evening sky itself
seemed afflicted—
slashed pink & red
like a flock of
flamingos standing
in a blood lagoon—
an insurrection
of the elements
holding us culpable,
a price to pay
for escaping
life's dull rhythm—
but we'd justify
our actions
by living the night
as if it was
our last.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Mouth moves,
words cantankerous,
smashing,
godzillaing through
the air
until
until
they find a victim
and land,
entering body,
infesting soul,
breaking
cities upon cities
of self
#poemsabout @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry
words cantankerous,
smashing,
godzillaing through
the air
until
until
they find a victim
and land,
entering body,
infesting soul,
breaking
cities upon cities
of self
#poemsabout @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry
February 7, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Mouth moves,
words cantankerous,
smashing,
godzillaing through
the air
until
until
they find a victim
and land,
entering body,
infesting soul,
breaking
cities upon cities
of self
#poemsabout @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry
words cantankerous,
smashing,
godzillaing through
the air
until
until
they find a victim
and land,
entering body,
infesting soul,
breaking
cities upon cities
of self
#poemsabout @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
The talkative steam
of cup warming to the task,
its mouth breathing ghosts.
#poemsabout #mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
of cup warming to the task,
its mouth breathing ghosts.
#poemsabout #mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 9:31 AM
The talkative steam
of cup warming to the task,
its mouth breathing ghosts.
#poemsabout #mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
of cup warming to the task,
its mouth breathing ghosts.
#poemsabout #mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
No more #FridayPoems for a while as I’m busy tidying up the last bits for publication of my new poetry book.
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
February 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
No more #FridayPoems for a while as I’m busy tidying up the last bits for publication of my new poetry book.
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
June Somewhere will be published on May 1st!
Proper excited!!
#poetrycommunity #poetsofbluesky #poets
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Lately, I had had some ambivalence, but whenever I use three six line stanzas there is no room for doubt.
I will put a reading in the comments.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Lately, I had had some ambivalence, but whenever I use three six line stanzas there is no room for doubt.
I will put a reading in the comments.
February 6, 2026 at 5:16 AM
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Lately, I had had some ambivalence, but whenever I use three six line stanzas there is no room for doubt.
I will put a reading in the comments.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Lately, I had had some ambivalence, but whenever I use three six line stanzas there is no room for doubt.
I will put a reading in the comments.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
This is what’s dished out when not in the mood…for poetry of course.
For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
& for #vss365: #wound
@nathanbrazil.bsky.social
#2WordPrompt : #prepare #thick
@jason-h-abbott.bsky.social
#Oulens #blueskypoetry
#poetrycommunity #poetry
For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
& for #vss365: #wound
@nathanbrazil.bsky.social
#2WordPrompt : #prepare #thick
@jason-h-abbott.bsky.social
#Oulens #blueskypoetry
#poetrycommunity #poetry
February 6, 2026 at 5:44 AM
This is what’s dished out when not in the mood…for poetry of course.
For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
& for #vss365: #wound
@nathanbrazil.bsky.social
#2WordPrompt : #prepare #thick
@jason-h-abbott.bsky.social
#Oulens #blueskypoetry
#poetrycommunity #poetry
For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
& for #vss365: #wound
@nathanbrazil.bsky.social
#2WordPrompt : #prepare #thick
@jason-h-abbott.bsky.social
#Oulens #blueskypoetry
#poetrycommunity #poetry
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
This #PoemsAbout #Mouths answers Beckett’s Not I by suggesting that while language may never belong to us, the body can still learn a minimal, ethical restraint, silence not as failure or abyss, but as practiced discipline after compulsion. @thebrokenspine.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 5:51 AM
This #PoemsAbout #Mouths answers Beckett’s Not I by suggesting that while language may never belong to us, the body can still learn a minimal, ethical restraint, silence not as failure or abyss, but as practiced discipline after compulsion. @thebrokenspine.co.uk
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
There’s a lot of #PoemsAbout #mouths already this week and I’m throwing ma wee draft into the fray too. I don’t have a title yet. Thanks as always to @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk and the #poetrycommunity who read and support. I’ll pop in periodically, around my commitments today.
February 6, 2026 at 7:54 AM
There’s a lot of #PoemsAbout #mouths already this week and I’m throwing ma wee draft into the fray too. I don’t have a title yet. Thanks as always to @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk and the #poetrycommunity who read and support. I’ll pop in periodically, around my commitments today.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
This week's #poemsabout #mouths just wasn't working, I almost gave it a swerve - until this popped into my head yesterday! Kōtare (Māori) is a watchtower around a pā (fort) but, more commonly, a kingfisher! Thanks @thebrokenspine.co.uk & @alanparrywriter.co.uk #poems #poetry
February 6, 2026 at 8:42 AM
This week's #poemsabout #mouths just wasn't working, I almost gave it a swerve - until this popped into my head yesterday! Kōtare (Māori) is a watchtower around a pā (fort) but, more commonly, a kingfisher! Thanks @thebrokenspine.co.uk & @alanparrywriter.co.uk #poems #poetry
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
...and I thought this prompt was beyond me. A late clarity of mind saved the morning for #PoemsAbout #Mouths.
I'll get back to you later today...
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
#PoetsOnBluesky
I'll get back to you later today...
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
#PoetsOnBluesky
February 6, 2026 at 9:04 AM
...and I thought this prompt was beyond me. A late clarity of mind saved the morning for #PoemsAbout #Mouths.
I'll get back to you later today...
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
#PoetsOnBluesky
I'll get back to you later today...
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
#PoetsOnBluesky
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
I was struggling with the #PoemsAbout prompt #Mouths so I condensed my notes into a couple of #haikus. Thanks for the challenge @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk. I'm looking forward to reading what others in the #poetrycommunity have made of it
February 6, 2026 at 9:29 AM
I was struggling with the #PoemsAbout prompt #Mouths so I condensed my notes into a couple of #haikus. Thanks for the challenge @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk. I'm looking forward to reading what others in the #poetrycommunity have made of it
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Tough call this week. Mouths? We've all got em, me included... Great poetry on a theme of mouths? A lot less of us can claim any, I certainly can't.
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
February 6, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Tough call this week. Mouths? We've all got em, me included... Great poetry on a theme of mouths? A lot less of us can claim any, I certainly can't.
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
#PoemsAbout #Mouths
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
I'm not at home today so will read later this evening. This poem/sonnet is inspired by 'Pasiphaë' my novel that will be published February 12th. I can't think about anything else at the moment For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:23 AM
I'm not at home today so will read later this evening. This poem/sonnet is inspired by 'Pasiphaë' my novel that will be published February 12th. I can't think about anything else at the moment For #PoemsAbout #Mouths
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Sorry to jump on the #poemsabout hashtag, but I am thinking of putting out a selection of poems on the theme of heresy on the #SixtyOdd #Poets page on Sunday Feb 15th to commemorate Galileo's 462nd Birthday. Anyone want to send me anything? (email in alt text)
February 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Sorry to jump on the #poemsabout hashtag, but I am thinking of putting out a selection of poems on the theme of heresy on the #SixtyOdd #Poets page on Sunday Feb 15th to commemorate Galileo's 462nd Birthday. Anyone want to send me anything? (email in alt text)
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
This was another difficult challenge from #PoemsAbout #Mouths. Thank you, as always, to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
This was another difficult challenge from #PoemsAbout #Mouths. Thank you, as always, to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
February 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
February 6, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
For this week's #PoemsAbout #Mouths, I'm thinking about things that don't explain themselves.
It is inspired by a piece i wrote for @daveashleypoet.bsky.social's #FreeVerseFebruary #prompt.
Thank you to the host
@alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers.
It is inspired by a piece i wrote for @daveashleypoet.bsky.social's #FreeVerseFebruary #prompt.
Thank you to the host
@alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers.
February 6, 2026 at 6:32 PM
For this week's #PoemsAbout #Mouths, I'm thinking about things that don't explain themselves.
It is inspired by a piece i wrote for @daveashleypoet.bsky.social's #FreeVerseFebruary #prompt.
Thank you to the host
@alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers.
It is inspired by a piece i wrote for @daveashleypoet.bsky.social's #FreeVerseFebruary #prompt.
Thank you to the host
@alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk and to all of the other writers.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
#PoemsAbout #Mouths starts Friday.
Write the wanting before touch.
Breath shared.
Words swallowed instead of spoken.
Teeth.
Tongue.
Silence that leans in.
Draft now.
Share from Friday.
Tag your post.
Use Alt Text.
Write the wanting before touch.
Breath shared.
Words swallowed instead of spoken.
Teeth.
Tongue.
Silence that leans in.
Draft now.
Share from Friday.
Tag your post.
Use Alt Text.
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#PoemsAbout #Mouths starts Friday.
Write the wanting before touch.
Breath shared.
Words swallowed instead of spoken.
Teeth.
Tongue.
Silence that leans in.
Draft now.
Share from Friday.
Tag your post.
Use Alt Text.
Write the wanting before touch.
Breath shared.
Words swallowed instead of spoken.
Teeth.
Tongue.
Silence that leans in.
Draft now.
Share from Friday.
Tag your post.
Use Alt Text.
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
Tired of journals that ask for poems about your garden and then ghost you?
This one wants the bin, the syringe, the protest chant.
This one’s built with spit.
#PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky #PoetsOfBluesky #WednesdayWIPs #Poetry #SubmissionWindow
This one wants the bin, the syringe, the protest chant.
This one’s built with spit.
#PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky #PoetsOfBluesky #WednesdayWIPs #Poetry #SubmissionWindow
Call for Submissions: Poetry With Spit, Spine, and Something to Say - The Broken Spine
Submissions Open Throughout February 2026 | Publication Later That Year
thebrokenspine.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Tired of journals that ask for poems about your garden and then ghost you?
This one wants the bin, the syringe, the protest chant.
This one’s built with spit.
#PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky #PoetsOfBluesky #WednesdayWIPs #Poetry #SubmissionWindow
This one wants the bin, the syringe, the protest chant.
This one’s built with spit.
#PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky #PoetsOfBluesky #WednesdayWIPs #Poetry #SubmissionWindow
An incantation for #imbolc
Footnote - The first part of this incantation was for the Winter Solstice.
#poetry #poems #spells #spell #mantra #spring #brighid #poetrycommunity #imbolcpoems #sundaypoems #sundaypoem #PoemAltText
Footnote - The first part of this incantation was for the Winter Solstice.
#poetry #poems #spells #spell #mantra #spring #brighid #poetrycommunity #imbolcpoems #sundaypoems #sundaypoem #PoemAltText
February 1, 2026 at 12:17 PM
An incantation for #imbolc
Footnote - The first part of this incantation was for the Winter Solstice.
#poetry #poems #spells #spell #mantra #spring #brighid #poetrycommunity #imbolcpoems #sundaypoems #sundaypoem #PoemAltText
Footnote - The first part of this incantation was for the Winter Solstice.
#poetry #poems #spells #spell #mantra #spring #brighid #poetrycommunity #imbolcpoems #sundaypoems #sundaypoem #PoemAltText