Victoria Spires
@victoriaspires.bsky.social
linktr.ee/victoriaspires
BotN & Pushcart nominated. Shortlisted/commended in various comps including Ledbury, Rialto (Third). Winner Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize.
Pamphlet available from Salo Press:
https://www.salopress.com/store/soi-meme/
BotN & Pushcart nominated. Shortlisted/commended in various comps including Ledbury, Rialto (Third). Winner Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize.
Pamphlet available from Salo Press:
https://www.salopress.com/store/soi-meme/
The ever-lovely Ronnie @rfsmith.bsky.social is your #promptcombo host this week, with the theme of #memorial. Drop him a poem if you want to get involved ❤️
It’s no secret that I have the toughest job on #PromptCombo , following @victoriaspires.bsky.social . Still, I soldier on this week with #Memorial .
@dragonslayerma.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social @coastalpoet.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
@dragonslayerma.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social @coastalpoet.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The ever-lovely Ronnie @rfsmith.bsky.social is your #promptcombo host this week, with the theme of #memorial. Drop him a poem if you want to get involved ❤️
Reposted by Victoria Spires
This week in The Book Bag, Make Up My Mind by Leia Butler brings all the colour in this hybrid visual poetry collection.
A marvel of a book with wit, humour and an exploration of self and society.
Also news, opps, the playlist, plus Mrs S picks a bonus favourite piece.
Take 5 minutes out...
A marvel of a book with wit, humour and an exploration of self and society.
Also news, opps, the playlist, plus Mrs S picks a bonus favourite piece.
Take 5 minutes out...
The Book Bag: Make Up My Mind by Leia Butler
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. Well, what an exciting week. The Christmas Gift List went live last Sunday. If you haven’t read it yet, you can here. Feedback has been highly positive, and it could return in 2026. Let me know what you think. I was so happy to welcome December’s Poetic Voice, Sophie Dumont, who is kindly sharing work from her profound collection Sculling. Read the first part of the feature here. Also, Sculling is one of my picks in the Christmas Gift List.
paulwritespoems.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
This week in The Book Bag, Make Up My Mind by Leia Butler brings all the colour in this hybrid visual poetry collection.
A marvel of a book with wit, humour and an exploration of self and society.
Also news, opps, the playlist, plus Mrs S picks a bonus favourite piece.
Take 5 minutes out...
A marvel of a book with wit, humour and an exploration of self and society.
Also news, opps, the playlist, plus Mrs S picks a bonus favourite piece.
Take 5 minutes out...
Reposted by Victoria Spires
So looking forward to this reading early next year! Please sign up at this link. It’s free!
#poetry #blueskypoets
#poetry #blueskypoets
December 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
So looking forward to this reading early next year! Please sign up at this link. It’s free!
#poetry #blueskypoets
#poetry #blueskypoets
Morning #PromptCombo -ers. When it grows up, #ThisPoem wants to be a poem by @racheljeffcoat.bsky.social, @jenferoze.bsky.social, Katrina Moinet, @benedictan.bsky.social or @moette.bsky.social. It's not fussy 😉
Please help spread the word & sign up to hear these stellar readers. Link below ⬇️
Please help spread the word & sign up to hear these stellar readers. Link below ⬇️
December 5, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Morning #PromptCombo -ers. When it grows up, #ThisPoem wants to be a poem by @racheljeffcoat.bsky.social, @jenferoze.bsky.social, Katrina Moinet, @benedictan.bsky.social or @moette.bsky.social. It's not fussy 😉
Please help spread the word & sign up to hear these stellar readers. Link below ⬇️
Please help spread the word & sign up to hear these stellar readers. Link below ⬇️
So happy to have this poem up on After... Poetry, for a few reasons:
More than any other art I've seen in recent years, Auerbach's charcoal heads have stayed with me.
I'm pretty sure it was either the first or second ekphrastic poem I wrote (really should do more).
I've waited a year for this!
More than any other art I've seen in recent years, Auerbach's charcoal heads have stayed with me.
I'm pretty sure it was either the first or second ekphrastic poem I wrote (really should do more).
I've waited a year for this!
What to do with scraps of light found in our battle with life's darkness. Victoria Spires makes this #ekphrastic poem from a Frank Auerbach drawing.
'Suggestible of something rending, something
Far from abstract – the exquisite flash
Of pain, as private teleology.'
afterpoetry.com/poem/dec-04-...
'Suggestible of something rending, something
Far from abstract – the exquisite flash
Of pain, as private teleology.'
afterpoetry.com/poem/dec-04-...
Read New Ekphrastic Poem 'Lightfastness' by Victoria Spires exclusively in After... | Poems Inspired By Other Art
afterpoetry.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:33 PM
So happy to have this poem up on After... Poetry, for a few reasons:
More than any other art I've seen in recent years, Auerbach's charcoal heads have stayed with me.
I'm pretty sure it was either the first or second ekphrastic poem I wrote (really should do more).
I've waited a year for this!
More than any other art I've seen in recent years, Auerbach's charcoal heads have stayed with me.
I'm pretty sure it was either the first or second ekphrastic poem I wrote (really should do more).
I've waited a year for this!
#PromptCombo So far, #ThisPoem has been
whimsical
self-effacing
grandiose
dressed in latex
a river
a magician
a fan of Procul Harum
archer than Frankie Howard
swathed in velvet metaphor
a competent nineteenth century mariner
a master of many forms
suffused with meaning
resoundingly empty...
whimsical
self-effacing
grandiose
dressed in latex
a river
a magician
a fan of Procul Harum
archer than Frankie Howard
swathed in velvet metaphor
a competent nineteenth century mariner
a master of many forms
suffused with meaning
resoundingly empty...
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
#PromptCombo So far, #ThisPoem has been
whimsical
self-effacing
grandiose
dressed in latex
a river
a magician
a fan of Procul Harum
archer than Frankie Howard
swathed in velvet metaphor
a competent nineteenth century mariner
a master of many forms
suffused with meaning
resoundingly empty...
whimsical
self-effacing
grandiose
dressed in latex
a river
a magician
a fan of Procul Harum
archer than Frankie Howard
swathed in velvet metaphor
a competent nineteenth century mariner
a master of many forms
suffused with meaning
resoundingly empty...
December 3, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Good morning, #PromptCombo -ers. Today, #ThisPoem is a sleeping girl, bent over her half-finished needlework.
(Vermeer)
(Vermeer)
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Good morning, #PromptCombo -ers. Today, #ThisPoem is a sleeping girl, bent over her half-finished needlework.
(Vermeer)
(Vermeer)
Reposted by Victoria Spires
Optional depth, the moon in a whisky glass & more with @suefinch.bsky.social @pi-and-anne.bsky.social @dharmabam.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @dylan20.bsky.social @aempoet.bsky.social @webbish6.bsky.social @grimalkingerry.bsky.social 2/3
www.vianegativa.us/2025/12/poet...
www.vianegativa.us/2025/12/poet...
Poetry Blog Digest 2025, Week 48
A personal selection of posts from the Poetry Blogging Network and beyond.
www.vianegativa.us
December 2, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Optional depth, the moon in a whisky glass & more with @suefinch.bsky.social @pi-and-anne.bsky.social @dharmabam.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @dylan20.bsky.social @aempoet.bsky.social @webbish6.bsky.social @grimalkingerry.bsky.social 2/3
www.vianegativa.us/2025/12/poet...
www.vianegativa.us/2025/12/poet...
Wow #PromptCombo is really kicking off today already! I'm keeping track with the poems shared & responses, but won't get to respond properly myself until later & responses will be staggered. But keep 'em coming in the meantime! 🤩
December 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Wow #PromptCombo is really kicking off today already! I'm keeping track with the poems shared & responses, but won't get to respond properly myself until later & responses will be staggered. But keep 'em coming in the meantime! 🤩
Thank you @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social for last week's prompt! This week I'm hosting #PromptCombo & the prompt is #ThisPoem. You can interpret that however you wish, but I dare you to try something a little different 😇 All welcome to join, replies until Friday.
December 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Thank you @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social for last week's prompt! This week I'm hosting #PromptCombo & the prompt is #ThisPoem. You can interpret that however you wish, but I dare you to try something a little different 😇 All welcome to join, replies until Friday.
I won this gorgeous print from @galiamelon.bsky.social in her giveaway 😍 Title poem from her brilliant collection out with Dunlin Press
November 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I won this gorgeous print from @galiamelon.bsky.social in her giveaway 😍 Title poem from her brilliant collection out with Dunlin Press
Super grateful to the @madridlitmag.bsky.social for choosing a poem of mine for their stunning new issue, which is out now ❤️
November 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Super grateful to the @madridlitmag.bsky.social for choosing a poem of mine for their stunning new issue, which is out now ❤️
Reposted by Victoria Spires
Our Christmas & Winter anthology will be available this weekend!
Featuring work by @fiddes.bsky.social @jahshabby.bsky.social @vikkicwrites.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @helenlaycock.bsky.social @annachorlton.bsky.social @alayanabeth.bsky.social and more!
Featuring work by @fiddes.bsky.social @jahshabby.bsky.social @vikkicwrites.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @helenlaycock.bsky.social @annachorlton.bsky.social @alayanabeth.bsky.social and more!
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Our Christmas & Winter anthology will be available this weekend!
Featuring work by @fiddes.bsky.social @jahshabby.bsky.social @vikkicwrites.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @helenlaycock.bsky.social @annachorlton.bsky.social @alayanabeth.bsky.social and more!
Featuring work by @fiddes.bsky.social @jahshabby.bsky.social @vikkicwrites.bsky.social @victoriaspires.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @helenlaycock.bsky.social @annachorlton.bsky.social @alayanabeth.bsky.social and more!
November 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Great starter pack here from Paul, thanks Paul for including the #PromptCombo crew in here! 🙏🏼
This starter pack for the #poetrycommunity of #PoetsonBlueSky associated with #Prompts includes @victoriaspires.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social @rfsmith.bsky.social @dragonslayerma.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @derickijohnson.bsky.social & many more. Please follow & repost if you can
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Great starter pack here from Paul, thanks Paul for including the #PromptCombo crew in here! 🙏🏼
Reposted by Victoria Spires
This week in the poetry blogs w/ @shawnalemay.bsky.social @robmclennan.bsky.social @wendypratt.bsky.social @hanvanderhart.bsky.social @richardjnewman.bsky.social @pearlpoet.bsky.social @billymills.bsky.social @kent-nj.bsky.social @salenagodden.bsky.social
1/3 www.vianegativa.us/2025/11/poet...
1/3 www.vianegativa.us/2025/11/poet...
Poetry Blog Digest 2025, Week 47
A personal selection of posts from the Poetry Blogging Network and beyond.
www.vianegativa.us
November 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I'm a bit late to the party, but the host for #promptcombo this week is @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social with this intriguing prompt #OnRoofs... all welcome to contribute as ever ☺️
Thank you @dragonslayerma.bsky.social for last week's stormer. All are welcome to contribute to this week's. I am the host. Please use hashtags ##promptcombo #OnRoofs and tag me @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social:
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I'm a bit late to the party, but the host for #promptcombo this week is @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social with this intriguing prompt #OnRoofs... all welcome to contribute as ever ☺️
Reposted by Victoria Spires
New issue goes live tomorrow!
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM
New issue goes live tomorrow!
Two more for #worldphilosophyday ☺️
Thank you for these, @victoriaspires.bsky.social - here are a couple of mine, with particular apologies to Ludwig Wittgenstein, who would have furiously refuted this once-fashionable take on his great book (for him, the metaphysics was where it was at) - no doubt Hegel would also be wincing....🥰
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Two more for #worldphilosophyday ☺️
Apparently, it's #worldphilosophyday, so here are two poems in a (very) occasional series I cooked up with @johnadlam.bsky.social 😁
With deep apologies and great affection to the two philosophers in question.
Open to commissions for other philosophical works 🙃
With deep apologies and great affection to the two philosophers in question.
Open to commissions for other philosophical works 🙃
November 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Apparently, it's #worldphilosophyday, so here are two poems in a (very) occasional series I cooked up with @johnadlam.bsky.social 😁
With deep apologies and great affection to the two philosophers in question.
Open to commissions for other philosophical works 🙃
With deep apologies and great affection to the two philosophers in question.
Open to commissions for other philosophical works 🙃
Brilliance from @gclifford1.bsky.social
Hi @dragonslayerma.bskyb.social
Thank you so much for hosting
#PromptCombo this week. #NorthStar
Here's my poem 'Obvious Constellations' from my Seren collection, The Hitting Game
@victoriaspires.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @rfsmith.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
Thank you so much for hosting
#PromptCombo this week. #NorthStar
Here's my poem 'Obvious Constellations' from my Seren collection, The Hitting Game
@victoriaspires.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @rfsmith.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Brilliance from @gclifford1.bsky.social
Latest review is up on my Substack, These Expectant Rooms.
Today featuring Circulaire by @poetbex.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Thanks for reading! x
Today featuring Circulaire by @poetbex.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Thanks for reading! x
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Latest review is up on my Substack, These Expectant Rooms.
Today featuring Circulaire by @poetbex.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Thanks for reading! x
Today featuring Circulaire by @poetbex.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Thanks for reading! x