Author | Lightnews

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · 6d

Big thanks to the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival for exhibiting my poem, 'Who We Speak To When Our Eyes Are Closed', earlier this week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ5l...

#poetry #poetrylovers #poemsabout #insomnia #blueskypoets #poetrycommunity

Marc Brightside Poem - Who We Speak To When Our Eyes Are Closed - Scottish MH Arts Festival 2025

YouTube video by Marc Brightside (Author)

www.youtube.com

3

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · 21d

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

I might add to this thread later, but never let it be said that poetry doesn't matter in the modern world. Poetry is needed more than ever, from the dodgiest ABABs to the experimental avant-garde. If you're reading this, wherever you are, take care. 7/7

#nationalpoetryday #poetry #poemsabout #life

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

There's also 'The Blue Envelope', the first poem I ever had published back in 2015, before I even fully committed to the idea of Writing Poems. It's a little shaky, one line in particular, but that confidence boost did wonders for me at such an early stage in my career: wp.me/p3ioYp-cw 6/? #poetry

1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

And of course, there's 'Eleven Years of May', published in the #NationalPoetryCompetition back in dark 2017. A deeply personal recollection of my brother's death, writing this poem was like exhaling dust, the first step in letting go of age-old pain. 5/? poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/eleven...

1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

'It's in the Air' is another poem which began life as a broader critique on apathy in UK society. Then Covid happened and this one took on a new life entirely. Sadly, the press who first published it have kinda died, so I'll link to my own upload instead: wp.me/p3ioYp-dh 4/? #poemsabout #poetry

Poem – It’s In The Air

The world decided it was time to take a dive, reset the code…

wp.me

1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

Another piece I'd like to draw attention to is 'Open Fields', first featured in Honest Ulsterman. This poem was one of many written during a major mental health crisis in 2021 and is very important to me as a result. Some of you will understand. 3/? www.humag.co/poetry/open-...
#mentalhealth #poetry

1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

First of all, massive thanks to Rob and the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival for featuring my poem 'Who We Speak To When Our Eyes Are Closed' at this year's event. Please come along if you can, it's all for a good cause. 2/?

#smhaf25 #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

1 1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Oct 2

Happy #nationalpoetryday2025. For the occasion, I'd like to take the opportunity to recount a few noteworthy pieces published over the last few years and reflect on them with the benefit of hindsight and experience. 1/?

#poetry #poetrycommunity #PoetryDay #BlueSkyPoets #poetrylovers #poemsabout

1 1 1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Sep 1

A wee birdy told me that the new issue of Gypsophila, featuring a poem by yours truly, is now available to read: gypsophilazine.com/v3-i8-the-gh...

#writerslift #writerslife #writingcommunity #poemsabout #ghosts #poetry #poetrylovers #poets #poems #contemporarypoetry #BlueSkyPoets

2 1 4

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Aug 19

PoemsAbout I know, but I hadn't heard of PromptCombo until now, so thank you for enlightening me. I've been delaying the full transition over to Bluesky, for various reasons, so it'll be good to start getting the lay of the land and making those connections sooner rather than later.

4

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Aug 18

Thank you, Instagram does seem like The Spot nowadays for poetic types so should probably be giving it more attention.

1 1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Aug 17

Also, sorry for not posting much on here lately, life takes over sometimes and my few precious moments are often spent elsewhere (sometimes, I actually write things too).

#writerslife #authors #poets #poetrycommunity

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Aug 17

Happy to report an acceptance in the next issue of Gypsophila Magazine, who don't seem to be on here (or the Twitter hellscape) but deserve a mention anyway. The poem is 'Days Like These'. The issue is out August 31st.

#writerslift #WritingCommunity #poetry #poetrylovers #poets #poems #PoemsAbout

1 1 7

Reposted by Marc Brightside

Dr Lauren Cassidy @laurencassidy.bsky.social · May 31

Unfortunately, I had to miss what looked to be an amazing launch last night, but delighted to be included in the latest issue of Ragaire Magazine. Huge thank you to the editors and my fellow contributors.

1 5

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · May 6

Still working through my haul from the recent Free Verse Poetry Book Fair. Some nice reading material to keep me occupied this sunny day.

#poetry #poems #blueskypoets #blueskywriters #poetrysociety #poetrysupport #poetrylovers #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #franlock #lukekennard #clairepollard

2

Reposted by Marc Brightside

Kayla (Martell) Feldman @kaylatmf.bsky.social · Apr 22

over 1500 UK writers including caryl churchill, hollie mcnish, michaela coel & max porter (pick your genre) signed this letter and call to action in support of the trans community. if you’re a UK writer, sign. if you know a UK writer, send it to ‘em!

docs.google.com/document/u/0...

An Open Letter of Solidarity With the Trans Community from UK Writers

An Open Letter of Solidarity With the Trans Community from UK Writers The UK Supreme Court ruling of 16th April 2025 was the result of a coordinated and privately funded attack on the human rights an...

docs.google.com

130 200

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 22

That's very kind of you, thank you, happy to be included.

1 1

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 19

Was just linked here while processing the move over from Twitter and just wanted to say thank you for compiling this, as it will undoubtably save me a lot of time finding mutuals both old and new.

1 2

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 19

Thank you for linking me to the poetry directory, that's quite a helpful resource when I'm still migrating over from the Twitter hellscape.

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 17

Next publication in a well-regarded journal, May 30th. Not supposed to share anything more specific than that yet, so I won't, but will post an update nearer the time once the proofs have officially been sent out.

#poetry #blueskypoets #poems #publishing #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity

1 3

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 15

Latest publication thanks to the folks over at Poetry Scotland: @poetryscotland.bsky.social (TW dark imagery)

This poem is reflection on the development of my second collection, after all the horrors of living through Covid.

#poetry #poem #poetrycommunity #indiepoetry
#blueskypoets #blueskypoetry

1 3

Marc Brightside @marcbrightside.bsky.social · Apr 15

First time posting here, so...hi. For the last few weeks, I've been compiling a poetry pamphlet based on experiences from a recent writing retreat, so hopefully more updates to come.

I'll also be reading this Friday at October Books, Portswood; come one, come all, etc.

#poetry #poems #blueskypoets

1 6