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paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Paul
@paulwritespoems.bsky.social
790 followers 660 following 1.8K posts
Poet, Husband, Northumbrian, Sax novice.

Pushcart/BOTN nominated

Work on BBC & in Dust Poetry, Black Bough, Broken Spine Arts, Starbeck Orion, Eat The Storms Pod, A Thousand Shades Of Green & more

https://linktr.ee/paulwritespoems
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Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · Sep 3
If you’re working on #WednesdayWIPs this is a potential opportunity for you…
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
This week on The Book Bag, I am sharing my thoughts on With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden.

There are tender moments, fierce moments, defiant moments. A title that whispers and shouts. In the top 5 books, I’ve read this year.

Plus news, opps and the playlist.
The Book Bag: With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. I’ve had quite the week. On Sunday, I popped into Barter Books in Alnwick to drop in some books, (I ended up buying more than I left) then we went for a walk along Alnmouth Beach where I tripped over some jetty railings and landed knee and face first. My shin currently has a bruise the shape of Italy. The walk was worth it though because I got this photo of the North Sea with Coquet Island lit up by a soft November sun in the distance.
paulwritespoems.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
A bonus poem has just been added to The Book Bag: Poetic Voices feature with the incredible Rebecca Goss

One of my personal favourites from Latch…

Link 🔗

paulwritespoems.com/2025/11/01/t...
The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – November 2025
November, here we are. The fiery palate outside makes me think this year is burning through time. Where did October go? With a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice and I am beyond thrilled to be abl…
paulwritespoems.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
A tremendous piece 👏👏👏
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Tickets are now live 🫣
paulwritespoems.bsky.social Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · 4d
Back for Session 2 in January.

Who’s in?

Tickets 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-book-b...
November 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Paul
merrildsmith.bsky.social
Good morning! For #PoemsAbout #DogTags Another tough one! Thank you to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk #Poetry
Poem: Weighted Silence The air is heavy with silence, the quiet is a roar of denial– there is no war, no marching bands no cheering crowds no reports of fallen soldiers, (tagged and tattooed in advance) no one cries, no one is seen crying, all support, we’re in full support, this operation’s to protect and save— do not say otherwise, wiser to say nothing at all. The air is heavy with silence. That silence is heavy with fear.
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Paul
janpsolivagant.bsky.social
🙏 @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk #PoemsAbout #DogTags

#newpoem: ©Jan Peters/Solivagant Wisdom, 2025

#WarTrauma #FamilyTrauma #ancestry #WBYeats #20Century #snafu #fubar #aviation #prosepoem #vegemite #RoaldDahl
Collateral Relative ©Jan Peters/Solivagant Wisdom, 2025 “No Parachutes!”, Decree the Brass Hats, mindful that pilots all too readily bail out of those Newfangled pyre-caskets, ash-framed and taut with doped linen fabric. In frostbite, sun-scorched high heavens, he sits astride a Dolphin - Mired and bloodied from dogfights with pods of Fokkers above Flanders. Lateral ancestor, collateral relative – Great War Flying Ace with DFC before twenty – his hometown rag credits him with eight kills. Life prospects capped at days, weeks, minutes - He swoons at settling down with Gladys in a cottage near the Solent. Son – Second War Flying Ace with DFC before twenty - Like Robert Gregory, meeting his fate aged thirty-seven, Somewhere among the clouds above Lincolnshire, forty years hence. Navigator on Canberra jet bomber bound for Malta, his Arm broken on exit fails to pull the ripcord. Back in 1919, with Croix de Guerre pinned to his chest by King Albert, Lateral ancestor maladapts to the loss of friends and comrades who Fireball out of the sky before they can even enter combat. Mystery of skull fractured at 1923 mess party. Drunken brawl? Chair, bottle, paperweight smashed over his head? Monumental concussion, contusion tipping him, not into creativity like Roald Dahl, but into Intelligence; into unmapped deserts west of Basra; into three years with the Bedouin; into Searing heat and sandstorms; into flies, revolting food and foul water; Into OBE, Wing Commander and Air Commodore; into Chief Intelligence Officer; into Monumental fuckup in Far East Command. Now Brass Hat, he Transfers his nephew, my grandfather, from Eastcote to the Dutch East Indies. Freshly-minted mathematician, aviation nut, clever young chap, my Grandfather becomes NCO tasked with constructing radar stations on Java. Vital equipment gets relocated to the Middle East. They improvise with aircraft crates and tapped Civilian telephone networks - … They warn the Brass Hats, who wave all this “newfangled nonsense” aside. As the island is overrun, they give an hour’s notice of the enemy’s approach – all To no avail. Uncle Brass Hat Delivers his nephew - collateral relative - into Japanese captivity: Mosquitos, meagre food, foul water, monsoon rains; Beriberi, cots on beaches or in runway ditches awash with dysentery shit; Forced labour, beatings, killings. Seven months of fortnightly malaria bouts Mark him out as a “goner”, but my grandfather pulls through. Crammed onto two wooden diesel coasters, they are strafed, pounded by Wham! Bam! Thank you, Ma’am! Liberator bombers in the Macassar Strait. Terrified captors give them leave to scrawl POW across bridge and hatches in Paint composed of tapioca flour and water. Liberation. Original cohort whittled away, cut down to a mere fraction. Vegemite habits acquired while Recuperating in Perth Fail to stay the Brimming tides - Fury, Resentment, Mistrust, Optical neuropathy, Arterial stenosis - that Claim him before he turns eighty. I catch him at it once or twice: Curses muttered to himself in Japanese while he Deadheads the roses. ©Jan Peters/Solivagant Wisdom, 2025 *DFC, Distinguished Flying Cross
November 21, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by Paul
andywilliamson.com
Maybe a bit off-script for #poemsabout #dogtags but it's what emerged - a quick poem on names and seasons of a relationship. Thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk & @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poems #poetry
Call me by any name spring sunshine graces your smile birds sing in praise of all the saints as we amble through the market holding hands you call me by any name that means love summer heat warms to our conversation young birds fledge, their nests left behind we run for the bus, not fast enough to catch it you call me by names only we can know autumn comes early, rains close around us the birds will leave for warmer lands as smoke from cosy hearths fills the air you call me in a hushed voice winter is hard, a northerly wind brings snow those who are left search for shelter you are wrapped up against the elements you call me to say goodbye
November 21, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Paul
jenthorne.bsky.social
Such a good prompt this week with remembrance still weighing on my mind.

#Dogtags
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
#PoemsAbout
#poetry #poetrycommunity #blueskypoets
Marked   Stamped, we begin.   Fed through waiting links.   We warm ourselves against his skin, and mark the beat beneath.   Mud claims strength. He crouches, chanting our rosary.   Staccato guns punctuate rhythms of march and halt.     The trench is deep,  his breathing shallow. We press against the rifle’s stock, imprinted on his heart.   Night.   White flares rupture the empty sky.   He runs.   We whip against his sweated breast.   Then stillness.   The weight shifts. Breath silenced.   Hands divide us.     One remains,  kept to the chest that lies still.   One torn away, carrying his name out from the smoke.     Soil closes in.   I rest against the ribs,   metal to bone,   unmoving in the dark.     No stone above.  No carved word to honour him.   Only the chain’s last echo,   a name unspoken,   held in the earth.
November 21, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by Paul
johnchmura.bsky.social
I don’t usually post #PoemsAbout @thebrokenspine.co.uk this early, but I’m taking some antihistamines and may sleep through a good portion of the night, or not. Will post a reel for #DogTags in the comments.
DOG TAGS Send them into space, all of the dog tags and toe tags, Trumps’ three Purple Hearts, and the mindset of men who pay dear and trade cheap that the God who abandoned this sorry blue world might see the joylessness of man’s desiring and act as a “signpost up ahead” so benevolent passengers may be forewarned drifting near our debris field on their judicious excursions coming from and returning to, hopefully, better planets smelling of ginger melon balls and mint, where space travel was a glorious culmination, not an escape or an escapade, where they needn’t keep people like me as pets or souvenirs anymore.
November 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Reposted by Paul
rburrows.bsky.social
Morning @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk - thanks for the #PoemsAbout #Dogtags prompt. I hope this works if you weren’t a fan. Happy Friday!
November 21, 2025 at 6:14 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Back for Session 2 in January.

Who’s in?

Tickets 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-book-b...
November 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
For #PoemsAbout #DogTags here is ‘Memorial Service’

Will catch up later @thebrokenspine.co.uk
Memorial Service He’s bought medals from eBay. Bought the uniform from Army Surplus. War stories stolen from Hollywood and Pinewood. Burton, Savalas, Caine. At the Cenotaph, He swaps salutes with the wounded, scarred, nervous, whose eyes he can’t hold, but tales he’ll recycle. His legs bolt a rapid one-two retreat at confrontation. In the safety of his home he reloads, more medals— delivered in 4 working days.
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Paul
gphydeauthor.bsky.social
Good workshop lead last night by @paulwritespoems.bsky.social with a host of innovative prompts. Here’s what I came up with – thanks to Paul and all involved.

Photo by A. B. on Unsplash

#poet #poetrycommunity #winter #snow #holly
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Super evening at Write Here, Right Now. Prompts went down well I think and have definitely give me things to work on over winter. Back in Jan 2026
November 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
🚨🚨🚨The Final Countdown🚨🚨🚨

Support Poets, Presses, Give Gift Ideas to Fellow Poetics.

What collections/anthologies/pamphlets, chapbooks/zines would you recommend as a Christmas Gift?

paulwritespoems.com/2025/10/17/t...

#poetrycommunity #poets #poemsAbout
November 20, 2025 at 8:26 AM
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🚨 Only 2 days left to submit🚨

Boost Poets and Presses.

paulwritespoems.com/2025/10/17/t...

#poetry #poetrycommunity
November 19, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Paul
ella-b-winters.bsky.social
Honoured and humbled by this nomination. Thank you, @fullhouselitmag.bsky.social @leiabutler.bsky.social 🙏🏼
fullhouselitmag.bsky.social Full House Literary @fullhouselitmag.bsky.social · 8d
Pushcart nomination for Ella B. Winters ✨
Ella B. Winters (Last night at the hospital)
November 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
The last few days to submit to this. Boost poets and presses, give fellow poetics some gift ideas. 💡

Details here: paulwritespoems.com/2025/10/17/t...
November 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
This means so much to me.

Thank you 🙏
November 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Have you read this month’s The Book Bag: Poetic Voices feature yet?

This month we have the exceptiona Rebecca Goss sharing work from her collection. Latch published by @carcanet.bsky.social

Link here: paulwritespoems.com/2025/11/01/t...
The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – November 2025
November, here we are. The fiery palate outside makes me think this year is burning through time. Where did October go? With a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice and I am beyond thrilled to be abl…
paulwritespoems.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Was tripping over at the beach worth this photo?

Yes.
November 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
The Book Bag spends time on 4th & Walnut this week from Jeremy Over, published by Carcanet Poetry.

This is whimsical poetry, the type that makes you smile, ponder and relish.

Plus news, opportunities, recap and the ever popular playlist.
The Book Bag: Fourth & Walnut by Jeremy Over
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. I’ve a terrific week this week. Let’s start with poetry. The inaugural Book Bag: Open Mic Session was a success, and I feel so grateful for everyone who attended and shared such excellent poetry. Also, your comments and Session Two is happening on January 11th. Tickets go on sale soon and will be announced on social media first. A further poem from Latch by this month’s Poetic Voice, Rebecca Goss was added to her feature and can be read…
paulwritespoems.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:56 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
A #haiku for Sunday.
November 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
Get your recommendations in…

Support Poets & Presses

Share Gift Inspiration

Less than a week to add to the nice list 🎄

paulwritespoems.com/2025/10/17/t...
November 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
A few recent poems added to the website that have been shared on Social Media channels.

#poetry
A Few Recent Poems
It's been a while since I've added new and current work to the website. I hope you enjoy this selection of recent poems shared on Social Media. Thanks for reading. If you have a favourite from this handful, please let me know. Enjoy the rest of your day, Paul
paulwritespoems.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM