Author | Lightnews

Rachel McDonald

@softlywild.bsky.social

2.1K followers 1.2K following 6.3K posts

Poet; writer; imagination is everything. 💫 Lover of shapes left over from cutting out shapes; the sea; humming and the rain.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jan 31

Where have you been?
In the deep dark woods. Finding my way through forests.

Why did you return?
To remember the space between
us closing and who I am Becoming.

Who are you Becoming?
Leaf and prayer and the
dark bones of wintering.

#poet #poem #poetry #writingcommunity

73 94 460

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jul 30

Thank you so much Jess 💫

1 1

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thank you Mike 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thank you Miriam 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thank you 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · Jun 4

Sorry for my late reply Mary. I’m glad my poem resonated with you. Sorry for your loss.

1 1

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 17

Thank you for reading Bohumila and for your lovely comments 💫

1 1

Reposted by Rachel McDonald

Bohumila Author @bohumilao.bsky.social · May 15

I opened a book
And the sun flooded my soul
Never more alone.

#bridahaiku #haiku #poetry #poem #book

5 5 38

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 17

Beautiful 💫

2 3

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 17

Thank you so much Beth 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 17

Thank you so much Merril 💫

1 1

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 17

Your lovely poem creates a sense of wonder. Great write 💫

1 1

Reposted by Rachel McDonald

Merril D. Smith @merrildsmith.bsky.social · May 16

Good morning! I suppose I've continued last week's theme into this week's #PoemsAbout #NeverForget Thank you once again @alanparry83.bsky.social and @brokenspinearts.bsky.social for this forum. I will be back in a bit to read--depending on how severe the storms are coming our way!

Poem
At the Borderline of Intangible

You can’t see the specks of stardust,
that scattered light beyond our vision,
infrareds, ultraviolets—
the blackholes that zip around us, drift
like our ghosts--

shadows almost seen.

You nearly forgot
the cold touch that brushed your cheek
with thoughts from the past,
a dream voice that called your name,

this time you woke,
this time you remembered

how the rain fell, a virga of possibility,
a deluge of inevitability
carrying flecks of all of us,
of everything,

the light.

13 10 42

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

It definitely seems like one of those moments that last forever ❤️

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much Kate. I appreciate your comments. 💫

Reposted by Rachel McDonald

Kate @k8star-p.bsky.social · May 16

#PoemsAbout #NeverForget @alanparry83.bsky.social
@brokenspinearts.bsky.social

#poetry #poem

6 5 35

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

So beautifully tender. You capture an exquisite moment in time 💫

1 1

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much Vijay ❤️

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much Karen. I appreciate your comments. 💫

1 1 1

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

This is captivating Karen. I love the image of her “rocking shadow.” Both warm and intimate, a lovely write 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much Sue. 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Softly heart-breaking Sue. Beautifully understated and masterfully crafted 💫

1 2

Reposted by Rachel McDonald

Sue Ibrahim @sueimnw.bsky.social · May 16

For this week's #PoemsAbout #NeverForget an old poem in memory of my Dad, but new to here, and fitting, I hope. With thanks to @alanparry83.bsky.social @brokenspinearts.bsky.social and all those taking part. Will catch up with others later.

28 22 73

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much Paul. I appreciate your comments. 💫

Rachel McDonald @softlywild.bsky.social · May 16

A poignant and vulnerable poem. Your final lines are vulnerable and emotionally intimate 💫

1 1

Reposted by Rachel McDonald

Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · May 16

For #PoemsAbout #NeverForget here is a piece called Summer Fade, a rework of an old poem of mine.

Looking forward to reading others work throughout the day.

Thanks to @alanparry83.bsky.social @brokenspinearts.bsky.social for cultivating this community of writers 🙏

Summer Fade

I see the underskin twine
barely holding your life together,
cherry and plum threads
unraveling in midsummer twilight.

I tell myself it’s just the shade.

A lie I can live with
a lie to make you live - longer -
than the moulding bouquet
existing on the windowsill,
the lead crystal heavy with death
of mulching carnations and tulip stems.
I don’t know why no-one has replaced them—
but I do really.

When your head turns to face me
sometimes there’s a glint of silver
recognition in your moonswell eyes—
and the slightest cup of a smile held
on your saltstubble lips,
lasting no longer than a heartbeat.

When you retreat into the security
of the peppermint blanket,
dry tears scold my throat
while sterile walls, return my stare
unable to offer the answers
I hope for.

21 13 48