Michael Conley
@mconley.bsky.social
Peggy Poole Winner 2022 |
Prose: Flare and Falter, Splice |
Poetry: These Are Not My Dreams, Nine Pens
https://mickconley.substack.com/
Prose: Flare and Falter, Splice |
Poetry: These Are Not My Dreams, Nine Pens
https://mickconley.substack.com/
Reposted by Michael Conley
The only truly important thing to understand about the people Nikesh writes about in this piece is that they are a danger to our communities. It doesn't matter what their origin story is. You don't owe people like Tommy Robinson or Nick Tenconi or Paul Golding or their followers shit all.
November 28, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The only truly important thing to understand about the people Nikesh writes about in this piece is that they are a danger to our communities. It doesn't matter what their origin story is. You don't owe people like Tommy Robinson or Nick Tenconi or Paul Golding or their followers shit all.
Reposted by Michael Conley
When you see "14 years of x" line, it tells you you're dealing with someone who can't analyse politics without a party lens.
Britain's been governed by the same overarching philosophy since 1979, regardless of which party was in power. And without understanding that, you won't understand anything.
Britain's been governed by the same overarching philosophy since 1979, regardless of which party was in power. And without understanding that, you won't understand anything.
How should Labour tackle 14 years of mismanagement? I'd like to hear some realistic alternatives, considering the available resources in law professionals, university places and tutors and physical spaces. All I've read so far here is 'throw money at it' without considering the resource implications
November 26, 2025 at 11:26 AM
When you see "14 years of x" line, it tells you you're dealing with someone who can't analyse politics without a party lens.
Britain's been governed by the same overarching philosophy since 1979, regardless of which party was in power. And without understanding that, you won't understand anything.
Britain's been governed by the same overarching philosophy since 1979, regardless of which party was in power. And without understanding that, you won't understand anything.
"Do a vulgar roast. Use forbidden words."
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"Do a vulgar roast. Use forbidden words."
Reposted by Michael Conley
Today in the news:
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Today in the news:
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Reposted by Michael Conley
This took courage, and makes me feel very vulnerable, but here I share some insights into how the recent Laika situation played out for me – along with a plea for more compassionate social media engagement. We need reflection, not retribution.
www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
If useful: archive.is
www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
If useful: archive.is
I was the other poet in the Len Pennie row: here’s my story
Sarah Doyle’s poem Laika won high praise but when she queried similarities to it with the poem Good Girl she was caught up in a storm of accusation, denial and online vitriol
www.thetimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This took courage, and makes me feel very vulnerable, but here I share some insights into how the recent Laika situation played out for me – along with a plea for more compassionate social media engagement. We need reflection, not retribution.
www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
If useful: archive.is
www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
If useful: archive.is
Reposted by Michael Conley
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
Reposted by Michael Conley
so happy to have a poem published by @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today. Thanks so much @hollyannepoet.bsky.social and @clairewalkerpoetry.bsky.social for accepting it and being kind and amazing editors.
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
so happy to have a poem published by @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today. Thanks so much @hollyannepoet.bsky.social and @clairewalkerpoetry.bsky.social for accepting it and being kind and amazing editors.
Reposted by Michael Conley
Reposted by Michael Conley
This is exactly what you get when you and everyone around you is fucking inept, just dumb as a sack full of hammers, and have been coasting by on a cloud of your own farts for years, when the bill finally comes due and you have to turn all your "expertise in government" into policy.
Laughable. Or it would be, if it didn't pile more pressure on staff.
There is a multi-layered crisis in British society which the government's policies are exacerbating.
The answer? An AI-generated target. As they are planning to restrict access to EHCPs and SEND support.
Beneath contempt.
There is a multi-layered crisis in British society which the government's policies are exacerbating.
The answer? An AI-generated target. As they are planning to restrict access to EHCPs and SEND support.
Beneath contempt.
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This is exactly what you get when you and everyone around you is fucking inept, just dumb as a sack full of hammers, and have been coasting by on a cloud of your own farts for years, when the bill finally comes due and you have to turn all your "expertise in government" into policy.
Reposted by Michael Conley
Declan Ryan’s newest in @newyorker.com is the most accomplished poem I’ve seen in a major mag in some time—a poem that dignifies the little intimacies of one couple’s growing bond (watch the rhymes), and in so doing dignifies the inner spaces of all our lives. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Declan Ryan’s newest in @newyorker.com is the most accomplished poem I’ve seen in a major mag in some time—a poem that dignifies the little intimacies of one couple’s growing bond (watch the rhymes), and in so doing dignifies the inner spaces of all our lives. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Michael Conley
November 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Reposted by Michael Conley
My theory about Joyce Carol Oates is that all her bad posts are her charging up like Godzilla's spines until she lets loose with a radioactive blast that leaves the world's richest Nazi a pile of ash
November 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
My theory about Joyce Carol Oates is that all her bad posts are her charging up like Godzilla's spines until she lets loose with a radioactive blast that leaves the world's richest Nazi a pile of ash
Reposted by Michael Conley
Just a regular pipeline now of dubiously funded cranks targeting the NHS to enforce their horrific, hateful politics on the public, by seeking out, targeting and harassing the fuck out people who have quietly been going about their business for years without anyone bothering
Darlington trans medic used female changing room for years
Rose Henderson felt within her rights to use the Darlington hospital facility, a tribunal is told.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Just a regular pipeline now of dubiously funded cranks targeting the NHS to enforce their horrific, hateful politics on the public, by seeking out, targeting and harassing the fuck out people who have quietly been going about their business for years without anyone bothering
Reposted by Michael Conley
Important to understand: none of these people are incapable of understanding this. They are instead *professional bullshit artists* who are paid to make the most obvious shit in the world difficult, endlessly frustrating and confusing, and preferably highly incriminating for people they despise.
November 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Important to understand: none of these people are incapable of understanding this. They are instead *professional bullshit artists* who are paid to make the most obvious shit in the world difficult, endlessly frustrating and confusing, and preferably highly incriminating for people they despise.
Reposted by Michael Conley
The reason this Nazi crank keeps arsing on about Britain specifically is that he has noticed that here, he is pushing at an open door. We should think about why that might be so.
October 29, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The reason this Nazi crank keeps arsing on about Britain specifically is that he has noticed that here, he is pushing at an open door. We should think about why that might be so.
Reposted by Michael Conley
A new poem in the new issue of Agni @agnimagazine.bsky.social 🫨
October 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A new poem in the new issue of Agni @agnimagazine.bsky.social 🫨
Reposted by Michael Conley
As Toni Morrison said, "the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work." But she also reminded us never to lose our capacity to be shocked.
Part of my conversation on @ayman.msnbc.com earlier today.
Part of my conversation on @ayman.msnbc.com earlier today.
October 25, 2025 at 11:42 PM
As Toni Morrison said, "the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work." But she also reminded us never to lose our capacity to be shocked.
Part of my conversation on @ayman.msnbc.com earlier today.
Part of my conversation on @ayman.msnbc.com earlier today.
Reposted by Michael Conley
Writers! Me & @mconley.bsky.social are teaming up for a writing workshop on the theme of 'attention.' Join us Sat Nov 29 at Saan.1 Gallery in Mcr to discuss poems by Elizabeth Bishop, Carl Phillips & Benjamin Zephaniah and then work on your own. Details here: katefeld.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
October 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Writers! Me & @mconley.bsky.social are teaming up for a writing workshop on the theme of 'attention.' Join us Sat Nov 29 at Saan.1 Gallery in Mcr to discuss poems by Elizabeth Bishop, Carl Phillips & Benjamin Zephaniah and then work on your own. Details here: katefeld.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
Reposted by Michael Conley
Whose views would we say have been more welcome in political/media circles, this last fifteen years or so? E.g. Shami Chakrabarti saying everyone has inherent rights, or Douglas saying we need to crack down hard upon our traitorous fifth column of ethnic enemies? That’s why (points at the shitshow).
October 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Whose views would we say have been more welcome in political/media circles, this last fifteen years or so? E.g. Shami Chakrabarti saying everyone has inherent rights, or Douglas saying we need to crack down hard upon our traitorous fifth column of ethnic enemies? That’s why (points at the shitshow).
Reposted by Michael Conley
This poem!!!!!
“I am absolute for you”
What a line. Completely obliterated me.
“I am absolute for you”
What a line. Completely obliterated me.
October 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This poem!!!!!
“I am absolute for you”
What a line. Completely obliterated me.
“I am absolute for you”
What a line. Completely obliterated me.
Reposted by Michael Conley
To be clear: deportations to increase cultural homogeneity is the text book definition of ethnic cleansing. Demands that come even close to this are so far outside any democratic norm and the rule of law. What has happened to a country when this is not condemned in the strongest possible terms?
October 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
To be clear: deportations to increase cultural homogeneity is the text book definition of ethnic cleansing. Demands that come even close to this are so far outside any democratic norm and the rule of law. What has happened to a country when this is not condemned in the strongest possible terms?