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
Peter White, the only poet ever to travel to a #sixtyodd launch by aeroplane. A magnificent fellow, who writes magnificent #poetry with thought and feeling.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com/p/45-peter-w...
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com/p/45-peter-w...
45. Peter White
A poet who bridges the gaps between Derbyshire, Devon and Delhi, between the realms of life and death, and between playfulness and profundity.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Peter White, the only poet ever to travel to a #sixtyodd launch by aeroplane. A magnificent fellow, who writes magnificent #poetry with thought and feeling.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com/p/45-peter-w...
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com/p/45-peter-w...
I just read through the #PoemsAbout #dogtag posts from the weekend. some great stuff. I didn't contribute this week. Been busy preparing poetry for the Leeds Song Festival. I've been teamed up with a composer for a performance next April. We were asked to tag it on our social media so heres a tag.
Home - Leeds Song
Filling the city with song since 2004
www.leedssong.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I just read through the #PoemsAbout #dogtag posts from the weekend. some great stuff. I didn't contribute this week. Been busy preparing poetry for the Leeds Song Festival. I've been teamed up with a composer for a performance next April. We were asked to tag it on our social media so heres a tag.
In an attempt to get to grips with the #poetry of #Keats, I ended up trying to imagine what a #PetulaClark song might have looked like in his hands. I ended up writing a very odd and perhaps clumsy article. But it's all the fruit of what intelligence I have and contains no artificial additives.
2.50 Nightingales, Negative Capability and Petula
John Keats was a poet with big ideas - but would he have liked Petula Clark?
zoomburst.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:52 AM
In an attempt to get to grips with the #poetry of #Keats, I ended up trying to imagine what a #PetulaClark song might have looked like in his hands. I ended up writing a very odd and perhaps clumsy article. But it's all the fruit of what intelligence I have and contains no artificial additives.
There may be trouble ahead, but while there's music and moonlight and love and romance, let's face the music and dance.
And #poetry, don't forget about #poetry Mr Berlin!
And #poetry, don't forget about #poetry Mr Berlin!
Face the Music and Dance
Poetry inspired by Music and Dance
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The #moon, has been a source of inspiration since creativity began. I wrote about some impenetrable #BobDylan lyrics, Whitey on the moon, and added my own bit of #poetry for good measure.
55. The Cold Blooded Moon
...being some thoughts on Bob Dylan, pop star poets, the moon, and the men who have been there.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A stunning collection of #poetry starting with a quote from #VirginiaWoolf and ending with one from #Annie, with Hansel and Gretel, greyhounds, and music in between. Eileen Thompson is full of surprises.
44. Eileen Thompson
Poet who is very visible to her husband, two greyhounds, and those who read her words
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:33 AM
A stunning collection of #poetry starting with a quote from #VirginiaWoolf and ending with one from #Annie, with Hansel and Gretel, greyhounds, and music in between. Eileen Thompson is full of surprises.
I struggle to like the #poetry of #Keats. I have tried to explain why in the article below. Amazingly, it has cost me a more than usual amount of subscribers on Substack. Is it because they all love Keats? Or have they finally rumbled me as an impostor?
Should I care?
No. I, thought not.
Should I care?
No. I, thought not.
2.50 The Eve of St Agnes by John Keats
In which a man hides in a women's closet and watches her get undressed
zoomburst.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
This morning #SixtyOdd Poets is proud to present a selection of the #poetry of Paul Connolly. Pour yourself a brew and take some time to read, mark and inwardly digest these six fine poems.
87. Paul Connolly
Internationally published poet with a marvellous reading voice.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Here is a great little selection of #poetry from my good friend Paul Laycock. Like me, he is a regular attendee at Read to Write events in Mexborough and Doncaster. Do you have a real life poetry group which inspires you? Give them a shout out in the comments. It would be good to hear about them.
43. Paul Laycock
Deep explorer of the art of poetry, and veteran of several open mics.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Here is a great little selection of #poetry from my good friend Paul Laycock. Like me, he is a regular attendee at Read to Write events in Mexborough and Doncaster. Do you have a real life poetry group which inspires you? Give them a shout out in the comments. It would be good to hear about them.
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Ahh. My attempt to write a poem about the #MinersStrike on its 40th anniversary last year ended in abject failure. All I finished up with was yet another poem about #teachers.
I wasn't too disheartened. I like #poetry about teachers.
I wasn't too disheartened. I like #poetry about teachers.
54. What's All the Fuss About Coal?
...being a few thoughts on the fortieth anniversary of the miner's strike, the perils of mining, and the difficulties of teaching.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Ahh. My attempt to write a poem about the #MinersStrike on its 40th anniversary last year ended in abject failure. All I finished up with was yet another poem about #teachers.
I wasn't too disheartened. I like #poetry about teachers.
I wasn't too disheartened. I like #poetry about teachers.
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Two #poetry book reviews and a speculative fiction review into the bargain. Ohh - and there are a couple of actual #poems in there too. featuring Lois Lane and a broken mug.
You could stop scrolling and read for a few minutes 😘
#60Odd
You could stop scrolling and read for a few minutes 😘
#60Odd
What I've Been Reading 2
Three recently published independent publications which are well worth spending some time with.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 AM
What do you think? Are we due a deathbed confession from Billy? @nickclay.bsky.social
Ah, 9 November – a sad one, this: 59th anniversary of the day Paul McCartney died, forcing the other Beatles to replace him with an orphan they had trained to impersonate him, and then (obviously) put clues in songs and on album covers so people could find out anyway
November 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
What do you think? Are we due a deathbed confession from Billy? @nickclay.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 9:09 AM
What could be better than some Ted Hughes on a crisp November Mexborough Morning? Probably not an article by me rattling on about #TedHughes. Then again, I also mention #RayBradbury, giving a link to a radio dramatisation of one of his plays, and add a piece of my own #poetry. its not all bad.
53. One for Ted
...being a birthday celebration, to which Ted Hughes and Ray Bradbury are both invited.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 AM
What could be better than some Ted Hughes on a crisp November Mexborough Morning? Probably not an article by me rattling on about #TedHughes. Then again, I also mention #RayBradbury, giving a link to a radio dramatisation of one of his plays, and add a piece of my own #poetry. its not all bad.
I laid a wreath at a local remembrance service last year. It was an interesting experience.
Are the Flags the Problem?
Remembrance Sunday.
medium.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I laid a wreath at a local remembrance service last year. It was an interesting experience.
Very active in the Poetry Scene in and around North Lincolnshire, Amy Garratt writes honest heartfelt #poetry. Her feature on #SixtyOdd poets last year was really well received.
42. Amy Garratt
Spoken word poetry host and performer, writing on themes including mental health and creativity.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
In the run up to #RemembranceSunday, have a look at some of the #poetry of #EdwardThomas. Killed in action at the battle of Arras, 1917
2.48 This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong
Edward Thomas, love of your country and standing with both the best and the meanest of your compatriots.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In the run up to #RemembranceSunday, have a look at some of the #poetry of #EdwardThomas. Killed in action at the battle of Arras, 1917
With #poetry on topics as diverse as trees, stamp collecting and becoming a satsuma, Peter Fereday becomes the 86th poet to be admitted to the Order of the #SixtyOdd. A worthy addition to its ranks.
86. Peter Fereday
Guitar playing poet who is also a chorister.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Thanks for the recommendation @matthewepaul.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Thanks for the recommendation @matthewepaul.bsky.social
“Write like there’s nobody reading” just one of many interesting ideas in this fascinating interview.
Thank you so much @littlethoughtspress.com for my interview! I have loved being part of the LTP experience! #poetry #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren www.littlethoughtspress.com/post/intervi...
Interview: Rachel Burrows
Rachel Burrows and her stories grew up in Wales though she now lives near Stonehenge with her family and dog, Fennel. Her children’s poems can be found in The Dirigible Balloon, Tyger Tyger, The Toy, ...
www.littlethoughtspress.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“Write like there’s nobody reading” just one of many interesting ideas in this fascinating interview.
October 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
More school based #poetry from me. I can't decide whether I was traumatised or invigorated by my #education. Perhaps a little bit of both. Come to think of it, I have the same feelings about my career in teaching. Thankfully my classroom experiences are all in the past now.
52. The Headmaster
...being further reminiscences of schooldays in the bygone era that was my youth
zoomburst.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
More school based #poetry from me. I can't decide whether I was traumatised or invigorated by my #education. Perhaps a little bit of both. Come to think of it, I have the same feelings about my career in teaching. Thankfully my classroom experiences are all in the past now.