Mike O’Brien
@zoomburst.substack.com
Sixty odd years old. Running the Sixty Odd Press and a proud member of the Promote Indie Lit network
zoomburst.substack.com sixtyoddpoets.substack.com promoteindielit.com
zoomburst.substack.com sixtyoddpoets.substack.com promoteindielit.com
Have a read of some of Val Bowen's #poetry, with her cats, roses and trees, along with a flight to Africa on the wings of a butterfly and a coach trip to Whitby
51. Val Bowen
An accomplished poet long awaited by the Sixty Odd Poets
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Have a read of some of Val Bowen's #poetry, with her cats, roses and trees, along with a flight to Africa on the wings of a butterfly and a coach trip to Whitby
It's great to be in this fabulous science based literary journal. Well worth a read. You can buy a print or a kindle version. If you have kindle unlimited, you can download it for free!
Issue 5 of the literary journal ionosphere is now available on Amazon!
Read poetry and essays by @fadingbetty.bsky.social,
@bigjosh84.bsky.social, @zoomburst.substack.com,
@misshalcyon.bsky.social, @suzannafitzpatrick.bsky.social, and many
others.
Read poetry and essays by @fadingbetty.bsky.social,
@bigjosh84.bsky.social, @zoomburst.substack.com,
@misshalcyon.bsky.social, @suzannafitzpatrick.bsky.social, and many
others.
January 19, 2026 at 8:34 PM
It's great to be in this fabulous science based literary journal. Well worth a read. You can buy a print or a kindle version. If you have kindle unlimited, you can download it for free!
the #Poetry of Allan Wilkinson: With Jinks toi his excellent #Jazz and #ClassicRock radio shows. That's your entertainment covered for the day folks!
91. Allan Wilkinson
Singer/Songwriter poet with a passion for music
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:57 AM
the #Poetry of Allan Wilkinson: With Jinks toi his excellent #Jazz and #ClassicRock radio shows. That's your entertainment covered for the day folks!
Are you taunted by the Ghost of Plato? W.B. Yeats was. I think perhaps it happens to us all when we reach a certain age. Bugger off Plato! I just want to enjoy myself. I'm telling Epicurus on you if you don't leave me alone!
2.59 Taunted by the Ghost of Plato
W.B. Yeats - Is achievement all its cracked up to be?
zoomburst.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Are you taunted by the Ghost of Plato? W.B. Yeats was. I think perhaps it happens to us all when we reach a certain age. Bugger off Plato! I just want to enjoy myself. I'm telling Epicurus on you if you don't leave me alone!
Ohh - what a read!
the dolphin in my arms
responding to a mass stranding event in Orkney
betweentwoseas.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Ohh - what a read!
#PoemsAbout #Timeslips
Ohh - go on then. I was far too tired yesterday - had such a good time at a Thursday night poetry gig.
Ohh - go on then. I was far too tired yesterday - had such a good time at a Thursday night poetry gig.
January 17, 2026 at 11:50 AM
#PoemsAbout #Timeslips
Ohh - go on then. I was far too tired yesterday - had such a good time at a Thursday night poetry gig.
Ohh - go on then. I was far too tired yesterday - had such a good time at a Thursday night poetry gig.
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
Ivor Cutler ‘Gruts for Tea’ from 'The Innes Book of Records' (HD)
YouTube video by Adrian Loone
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Long gone are the days when boys were willing to stand on burning decks. I wrote a piece about the #poem where that well known first line, beloved of seventies comedians, actually came from, and what the boy was standing there for.
2.1 The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck
...being a look at a serious poem familiar to many who enjoyed comedy in the 1970s.
zoomburst.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Long gone are the days when boys were willing to stand on burning decks. I wrote a piece about the #poem where that well known first line, beloved of seventies comedians, actually came from, and what the boy was standing there for.
Greg Muscroft, Actor, #Poet and a man who who knows the importance of self-love.
50. Greg Muscroft
An imaginative writer who finds both therapy and connection through poetry.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Greg Muscroft, Actor, #Poet and a man who who knows the importance of self-love.
The marvellous Sister Chain and Brother John and more besides.
www.ticketsource.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:11 PM
The marvellous Sister Chain and Brother John and more besides.
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
When even the UK government, whose default position is to suck up to the tech bros, is threatening legal action against X over its disgusting material, anyone continuing to be on that loathsome platform isn’t creating some island of progressivism but colluding with a malevolent actor.
Leave X now…
Leave X now…
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 AM
When even the UK government, whose default position is to suck up to the tech bros, is threatening legal action against X over its disgusting material, anyone continuing to be on that loathsome platform isn’t creating some island of progressivism but colluding with a malevolent actor.
Leave X now…
Leave X now…
What can be said about #OscarWilde that hasn't already been said? Well, has anyone ever compared his #poetry to the music of #GeneAutry?
2.58 Wild West Oscar Wilde
He drank whiskey at the bottom of a mine and kept a lock of his sister's hair all his life.
zoomburst.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:46 AM
What can be said about #OscarWilde that hasn't already been said? Well, has anyone ever compared his #poetry to the music of #GeneAutry?
John Curry is featured on #Sixty Odd Poets this week with a collection of #poetry featuring legends of Rock and Roll, geese, and a cobbled Yorkshire road.
90. John Curry
Flair and style from the poet/broadcaster
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:11 AM
January 9, 2026 at 9:11 AM
This was the sixtieth and final chapter of my first set of #SixtyOdd poems. Shortly after, I embarked on a second #poetry based series, which I am currently approaching the end of. "A Sea policeman?" you ask. Yes. His beat was a lonely one along the quiet coastline of East Yorkshire.
60. Seven Snapshots From the Album of a Sea Policeman
...being the final and most recently created poem of the sixty
zoomburst.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Here's a roundup of some of the stuff that I have enjoyed over the past month.
What I've Been Reading 4
Three recently published poetry collections and an autobiography with poetry
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Here's a roundup of some of the stuff that I have enjoyed over the past month.
Sir Walter Raleigh knew all about the dreadful sound of #Trump over 400 years ago. He even wrote #poetry about it. #history
2.57 The Dreadful Sound of Trump
Did Sir Walter Raleigh predict our current woes?
zoomburst.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:47 AM
I'm sharing some stuff that I have been reading again. Two chapbooks from friends of mine, one Autobiographical piece with tales of mental health difficulties and poetic chapter headings, and one soon to be released piece from a well established poet.
What I've Been Reading 4
Three recently published poetry collections and an autobiography with poetry
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I'm sharing some stuff that I have been reading again. Two chapbooks from friends of mine, one Autobiographical piece with tales of mental health difficulties and poetic chapter headings, and one soon to be released piece from a well established poet.
I've just sent three nominations to this. It looks like a fine idea - so why not?
⚠️ DASHBOARD AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT⚠️
#writingcommunity unite!
We wanna give out 3 awards to poetic pieces published in 2025 in OTHER online litmags!
Deadline: 1/31/26.
Writing Peers, Readers, & Editors can ALL nominate via Google Form: buff.ly/FMfhtG5
Rules & Details: buff.ly/vdm5FlB
⬇️ ⬇️
#writingcommunity unite!
We wanna give out 3 awards to poetic pieces published in 2025 in OTHER online litmags!
Deadline: 1/31/26.
Writing Peers, Readers, & Editors can ALL nominate via Google Form: buff.ly/FMfhtG5
Rules & Details: buff.ly/vdm5FlB
⬇️ ⬇️
January 3, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I've just sent three nominations to this. It looks like a fine idea - so why not?
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
I’m delighted that the brilliant
@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social has published three ‘Not Advent’ #poems of mine in The Starbeck Orion. Alongside them is a recording of them all, which, since they were written in the pandemic, I’m calling ‘Christmas Triptych, 2020’ #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social has published three ‘Not Advent’ #poems of mine in The Starbeck Orion. Alongside them is a recording of them all, which, since they were written in the pandemic, I’m calling ‘Christmas Triptych, 2020’ #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
The Starbeck Orion issue #14 Not Advent Anthology Day 9 of 25 featuring the poetry of Paul Connolly
the880.substack.com/p/the-starbe...
the880.substack.com/p/the-starbe...
The Starbeck Orion issue #14 Not Advent Anthology Day 9 of 25 featuring the poetry of Paul Connolly
A Feast Of Word And Image
the880.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I’m delighted that the brilliant
@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social has published three ‘Not Advent’ #poems of mine in The Starbeck Orion. Alongside them is a recording of them all, which, since they were written in the pandemic, I’m calling ‘Christmas Triptych, 2020’ #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social has published three ‘Not Advent’ #poems of mine in The Starbeck Orion. Alongside them is a recording of them all, which, since they were written in the pandemic, I’m calling ‘Christmas Triptych, 2020’ #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
⚠️ Public Service Announcement⚠️
Hug a Poet Today!
Our Dashboard Awards are OPEN til Jan 31!
3 awards = 3 winners
ANYONE CAN NOMINATE & IT'S FREE!
buff.ly/9QxTVhG
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #poetry #poetrycommunity #writers #authors #authorscommunity
Hug a Poet Today!
Our Dashboard Awards are OPEN til Jan 31!
3 awards = 3 winners
ANYONE CAN NOMINATE & IT'S FREE!
buff.ly/9QxTVhG
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #poetry #poetrycommunity #writers #authors #authorscommunity
January 1, 2026 at 10:11 PM
⚠️ Public Service Announcement⚠️
Hug a Poet Today!
Our Dashboard Awards are OPEN til Jan 31!
3 awards = 3 winners
ANYONE CAN NOMINATE & IT'S FREE!
buff.ly/9QxTVhG
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #poetry #poetrycommunity #writers #authors #authorscommunity
Hug a Poet Today!
Our Dashboard Awards are OPEN til Jan 31!
3 awards = 3 winners
ANYONE CAN NOMINATE & IT'S FREE!
buff.ly/9QxTVhG
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #poetry #poetrycommunity #writers #authors #authorscommunity
Happy New Year to one and all. I'm in the fortunate position of being able to celebrate by pointing out that I (along with several other fine poets) have a piece in Issue 12 of the Fig Tree - out today!
Here's hoping that all of my #poetry friends will have similar & greater successes this year.
Here's hoping that all of my #poetry friends will have similar & greater successes this year.
The Fig Tree - Issue 12
with Featured Poet Stewart Carswell
figtreepoetry.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Happy New Year to one and all. I'm in the fortunate position of being able to celebrate by pointing out that I (along with several other fine poets) have a piece in Issue 12 of the Fig Tree - out today!
Here's hoping that all of my #poetry friends will have similar & greater successes this year.
Here's hoping that all of my #poetry friends will have similar & greater successes this year.
Christmas? New Year? I don't know whether I'm coming or going - heres some New Year #poetry from last year's #sixtyodd
...and a Sixty Odd New Year
A puddingful of poetry, with the odd silver sixpence thrown into the mix.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
“No matter how wonderful a thought, do not reveal it in a poem. Instead, let readers be prompted into having the wonderful thought on their own through reading your poem.”
-- Lee Seong-bok
-- Lee Seong-bok
December 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“No matter how wonderful a thought, do not reveal it in a poem. Instead, let readers be prompted into having the wonderful thought on their own through reading your poem.”
-- Lee Seong-bok
-- Lee Seong-bok
Who actually are these people?
December 29, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Who actually are these people?