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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 10h

Syllabics aren't a mathematical exercise. They also require an understanding of stress if they're to come alive.

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 11h

Poetry in English possesses two separate but intertwined beats. First of all, the stresses. And secondly, underneath those stresses, the syllables. The subtle latter are often drowned out by the strident former. But if you listen hard enough, the syllabics are there, underpinning everything.

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 10h

Syllabics aren't a mathematical exercise. They also require an understanding of stress if they're to come alive.

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 11h

Poetry in English possesses two separate but intertwined beats. First of all, the stresses. And secondly, underneath those stresses, the syllables. The subtle latter are often drowned out by the strident former. But if you listen hard enough, the syllabics are there, underpinning everything.

2 8

Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 11h

Poetry in English possesses two separate but intertwined beats. First of all, the stresses. And secondly, underneath those stresses, the syllables. The subtle latter are often drowned out by the strident former. But if you listen hard enough, the syllabics are there, underpinning everything.

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 11h

Poetry in English possesses two separate but intertwined beats. First of all, the stresses. And secondly, underneath those stresses, the syllables. The subtle latter are often drowned out by the strident former. But if you listen hard enough, the syllabics are there, underpinning everything.

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 3d

I have the impression that 99% of poetry publishers and poets loathe and feel creatively sullied by the process of shifting books.

It's absurd, of course. Like a chef who hates serving meals. Or a winemaker who can't stand pouring you a glass...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 19d

I only want a single pair of hands to stretch my spine and open me at last...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 15d

My esteemed publisher (Nell at HappenStance) informs me that the Whatever You Do, Just Don't express train is fast approaching Reprint City. Yay!

However, in the meantime, both she and I still have some copies of the first print run available for purchase. You know where to find us...!

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Dec 15

As parents, we're supposed to remember the first time we did stuff with our kids, but the last time is equally as significant, if not more.

This poem is from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 13d

Poets, if they're lucky, end up having signature poems. But they don't choose them for themselves.

Instead, certain poems take on lives of their own once they're published. The Last Carry is one such example. When I first posted it here, I didn't have a clue it would reach so many people...

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Dec 15

As parents, we're supposed to remember the first time we did stuff with our kids, but the last time is equally as significant, if not more.

This poem is from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

4 7 51

Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 1d

My second full collection, Whatever You Do, Just Don't, was supposed to be HappenStance Press' last publication, though Nell left the door ajar in case something special came up. Well, it did, in the shape of Richard Meier's new book, After the Miracle, born from a huge sense of vital urgency...

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 2d

Rogue Strands on Richard Meier's After the Miracle...

"In these poems, apparently simple words portray a maelstrom of life events. They provide a lesson in how to meet intense experience head-on, and turn it into art..."

roguestrands.blogspot.com/2025/10/rich...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 1d

My second full collection, Whatever You Do, Just Don't, was supposed to be HappenStance Press' last publication, though Nell left the door ajar in case something special came up. Well, it did, in the shape of Richard Meier's new book, After the Miracle, born from a huge sense of vital urgency...

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 2d

Rogue Strands on Richard Meier's After the Miracle...

"In these poems, apparently simple words portray a maelstrom of life events. They provide a lesson in how to meet intense experience head-on, and turn it into art..."

roguestrands.blogspot.com/2025/10/rich...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 2d

Rogue Strands on Richard Meier's After the Miracle...

"In these poems, apparently simple words portray a maelstrom of life events. They provide a lesson in how to meet intense experience head-on, and turn it into art..."

roguestrands.blogspot.com/2025/10/rich...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 2d

Rogue Strands on Richard Meier's After the Miracle...

"In these poems, apparently simple words portray a maelstrom of life events. They provide a lesson in how to meet intense experience head-on, and turn it into art..."

roguestrands.blogspot.com/2025/10/rich...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks, Gene!

Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 7d

Over 700 likes now on here for The Last Carry.

It's a privilege to have reached such a large number of new readers, many of them from beyond the poetry bubble, thanks to this platform...

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Dec 15

As parents, we're supposed to remember the first time we did stuff with our kids, but the last time is equally as significant, if not more.

This poem is from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

2 2 20

Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 3d

The best editor a bloke could wish for...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 3d

The best editor a bloke could wish for...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 3d

I have the impression that 99% of poetry publishers and poets loathe and feel creatively sullied by the process of shifting books.

It's absurd, of course. Like a chef who hates serving meals. Or a winemaker who can't stand pouring you a glass...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Jul 20

The emotional significance of objects sends ripples through our lives, which is why this is often my final poem when I give a reading.

It's taken from my second full collection, Whatever You Don't, Just Don't. If you fancy a signed copy, drop me a DM and I'll sort one out for you...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Feb 5

This is a poem of loss, taken from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023)...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 5d

We had a beat-up olf red Escort nicknaned Herbie (G reg). And then a yellow one (K reg) inevitably called Bananas!

Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 29d

Certain numbers accompany us through our lives, connected to our memories of people and places, of significant events. What numbers remain with you decades later? And why?

This poem is taken from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

mstblue.bsky.social @mstblue.bsky.social · 6d

💙

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Dec 15

As parents, we're supposed to remember the first time we did stuff with our kids, but the last time is equally as significant, if not more.

This poem is from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

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Reposted by Matthew Stewart

Russ King @russwrites.bsky.social · 7d

This is beautiful

Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · Dec 15

As parents, we're supposed to remember the first time we did stuff with our kids, but the last time is equally as significant, if not more.

This poem is from Whatever You Do, Just Don't (HappenStance Press, 2023), my second full collection...

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you!

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