Dougie Herd
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dougieherd.bsky.social
Dougie Herd
@dougieherd.bsky.social
66 followers 31 following 55 posts
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dougieherd.bsky.social
'The Ruins Of Time'. Another poem from Something That Comes Close, my first collection. A tad melancholic, I suppose. Because sometimes we are. Read it on Substack dougieherd.substack.com/p/the-ruins-... or my blog www.dougieherd.com/post/the-rui... You can buy the whole book online.
Two Currawong feathers, one large and one small, side by side. And a small, speckled eggshell with its top shorn off.
October 7, 2025 at 11:52 PM
dougieherd.bsky.social
An old man stares into wormholes
The Einstein-Rosen Bridge we all possess (if we choose to use it): if we want a better future, we must not repeat mistakes from the past. Lessons from old witch hunts. On Substack dougieherd.substack.com/p/an-old-man... or Blog www.dougieherd.com/post/an-old-...
Image representing the theoretical possibility to precisely manipulate a two-dimensional shape into something wholly new structure with changed basic characteristics. A piece of softly lit tissue paper folded in an origami fashion appears simultaneously as the back of an envelope, a folded restaurant napkin and a lotus flower bloom with a golden light at its centre.
September 4, 2025 at 7:59 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
A writer's life. Here's my latest rabbit hole: it leads to the Devil, witches flying on sieves, judicial killing of thousands of innocent women and the point of origin of ... "you can kiss my arse." Who knew? Read here open.substack.com/pub/dougiehe... or here www.dougieherd.com/post/the-dev...
Black and white woodcut print. The Devil stands in profile with his bare bottom exposed to a group of Satanic worshippers. All but one are women. The Devil has a goat's head, the naked body of a man, small gryphon wings on his back, and the tale of a rat. A woman kneels behind the Devil preparing to kiss his arse.
August 14, 2025 at 6:13 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
I sent my first book to #ScottishPoetryLibrary. Asked their internal panel that reviews self-published poetry to consider adding mine to its catalogue. I learned today they did. I'm chuffed. Thank you. Read a poem on dougieherd.substack.com/publish/home... or blog www.dougieherd.com/post/who-s-he
Dougie's poetry book -- blue texture cover -- on a flower bed of marigolds in a friend's garden
July 30, 2025 at 9:38 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
The latest stunning work from renowned glass artist Spike Deane? No ... the perfect circle of ice from the garden 'bird bath' in sunny Canberra. -4° overnight and still frozen at half past eleven Saturday morning. Tropical Downunder.
A six inch diameter circle of ice held aloft in Spike Deane's hands. The rust colour pin oak leaves are trapped in the ice
June 21, 2025 at 2:17 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Last of my poems, for a while, from Something That Comes Close, my debut collection. 'An Inconvenient Roundabout'. This one is a bit longer than others. But not too long. I was 17 at the time (which was not yesterday). Sometimes, though, it feels like yesterday.
www.dougieherd.com/post/an-inco...
Two Currawong feathers -- one large, one small -- side by side. At the mid-point of each feather, where black meets white, a small speckled egg shell rests. The top of the egg has been broken off and is nowhere to be seen.
June 19, 2025 at 1:13 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Read one of my poems. From 'Part Five: WAVING' of #SomethingThatComesClose, my debut published collection. Available to buy in paperback from Amazon Books, and as an eBook on Kindle, Kobo or Booktopia. www.dougieherd.com/post/can-you...
Five reddish brown chickens with bright yellow feet and beaks, some pecking at the ground. The belt of Orion is visible in the early morning sky behind them.
May 29, 2025 at 3:53 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Read 'Capercaillie' -- a short poem from Part Three: ENCOUNTERS of my book #SomethingThatComesClose. Illustrations by Spike. On my blog here dougieherd.com/post/caperca...
Drawing of a Capercaillie, a large Grouse-like bird native to Scotland. Predominantly black feathers but with vibrant colours in some places (as described in the poem).
May 2, 2025 at 12:07 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
So, this greeted me today. My friend Trevor (Artistic Co-Director of Bright Umbrella Theatre Co, Belfast) received my book then sent back this message: Trevor reading the title poem of the book, #SomethingThatComesClose (On Amazon & Kobo). I am as happy as the proverbial ...
March 29, 2025 at 4:11 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
The idea being put about by nervous politicians looking for votes that a reformed, well-designed, rights-based #NDIS somehow imperils Australia's national security & defence capability is #StupidityOnAStick #auspol
Diamond shaped, yellow traffic warning sign with the words "STUPIDITY AHEAD" atop a pole with a somewhat cloudy deep blue sky in the background.
March 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
dougieherd.bsky.social
There are sports club mascots ... then there is Kingsley, Partick Thistle Football Club mascot. Hanging children upside down for 10 years now. PTFC. Is it any wonder we're the way we are?
@partickthistle.bsky.social
March 24, 2025 at 1:40 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
First-time author Irrationally happy realising his poetry book will enter catalogue of National Library of Australia (forever). Available to buy on Amazon or Kobo. If you have it, thank you. If you like it please rate/review it to keep our book in sight of Amazon algorithm!! #SomethingThatComesClose
Dougie, in wheelchair, in front of a hedge behind which the National Library of Australia building sits in the mid-distance against a blue sky with light clouds. Paperback book cover (Blue with words Something That Comes Close: Poems by Dougie Herd) rests on top of a yellow A4 form showing words National Library of Australis -- Legal deposit slip)
March 21, 2025 at 2:13 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
In the week since I published my first poetry book people have been posting photos after it arrives in the mail. Thank you. Here's 4 (2 in Aus, 2 in UK). To buy eBook or paperback go to #Amazon or #Kobo. #SomethingThatComesClose #Poetry
Blue, textured front cover of 'Something That Comes Close Poems by Dougie Herd'; my first published book photographed against someone's red tablecloth. Blue, textured front cover of 'Something That Comes Close Poems by Dougie Herd'; my first published book photographed one someone's desk in an office. Blue, textured front cover of 'Something That Comes Close Poems by Dougie Herd'; my first published book photographed on someone's square, latticed coffee table in a house. Blue, textured front cover of 'Something That Comes Close Poems by Dougie Herd'; my first published book photographed held in someone' left hand against an orange background.
March 17, 2025 at 10:29 PM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Trip to the shops on a warm Sunday morning. Essential stop for one fig and one boysenberry pastry plus iced coffee (the artist) and spicey chai latte (the writer) at the local French bakery. It really does have a French baker. Fab-ee (In any language).
Dougie - straw hat on head, white beard outrageously large - rolls down the tree-lined bicycle path in his wheelchair. Short grass on either side of large concrete pavers. Pine tree branches border the photo on either side. A large gum grows next to the high green fence of a suburban house further back up the slope. Spike -- in a red summer frock from Tree of Life -- sits at a small, latticed wooden table outside L"epi French bakery. Spike raises slightly (for the camera) her fresh fig pastry. Dougie's boysenberry pastry sits on a plate on the table closer to the camera.
March 16, 2025 at 7:02 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
This confirms that algorithms are bullshit. According to Amazon's Bestseller British & Irish poetry my first poetry collection is outselling Shakespeare & is just behind Milton. But my new book IS real. You can buy it as paperback, or for Kindle or Kobo. #SomethingThatComesClose #TopThree
March 11, 2025 at 11:54 PM
dougieherd.bsky.social
So this pair visited us this morning. #ThistleTheCat is eyeing them very cautiously from a safe location because these are big, big birds and discretion is the better part of valour (even in a cat's own back yard).
Large Sulphur Crested Cockatoo perched on Hills hoist adjacent to brass lamp Large Sulphur Crested Cockatoo perched atop wire frame on backyard pergola.
March 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
So this is exciting. The Author's Proof of my first poetry collection arrived. Words by me. Illustrations by @spikeabell.bsky.social Paperback & Kindle on Amazon from next week. Kobo soon.
Dougie sitting in his wheelchair presenting the cover of his book titled Something That Comes Close to the camera. Spike, in work clothes, standing in the doorway of Dougie's home office holding the Author's Proof in her right hand and the delivery envelope in her left hand.
March 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Survived last night's storm. May even have flourished. #Canberra
Sunflower head beginning to bloom. Bright yellow petals. Deep orange core (almoat brown)
January 16, 2025 at 12:12 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
I tell you ... I might as well sit in our driveway setting light to hundred dollars bills with this car.
January 14, 2025 at 1:41 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Staying home this year. No long drive. Spike is hanging handblown baubles made by colleagues at the Glassworks. Christmas Eve in Canberra. 33° tomorrow. Celsius. We are not expecting snow.

Love n peace. If anyone knows where the three wise men went please ask them to return. We need their wisdom.
December 25, 2024 at 12:12 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
So the fruit n veg was delivered by the wholesaler we use. @spikeabell.bsky.social brought in one of their luscious strawberries alongside an early blueberry from her garden. Safe to say (I think) there is room for growth.
December 5, 2024 at 9:43 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
Really @bestwesterngb.bsky.social ... 21st Century & you do NOT have roll-in showers for wheelchair users in your Launceston Hotel? Ever heard of the Disability Discrimination Act?
December 2, 2024 at 1:24 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
It seems mildly ironic to me that the only disabled parking space I could find in these acres of Dairy Road retail spaces was at the indoor rock climbing place. Thank you BLOC HOUS Bouldering.
November 24, 2024 at 4:13 AM
dougieherd.bsky.social
#ThistleTheCat... Princess of the prickly pillow. Butter would not melt in her mouth.
November 17, 2024 at 12:41 PM
dougieherd.bsky.social
My glass artist partner at work today. Dressed for 'les beaux arts'. #CanberraGlassworks
Glass casting artist Spike Deane dressed in protective jacket, gloves and mask prepares to place very hot glass object in an outdoors kiln.
November 15, 2024 at 4:52 AM