Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paul Brookes

@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social

1.9K followers 830 following 4.1K posts

Shop asst. Poet and interviewer. Work broadcast on BBC Radio Three, The Verb. Edits The Wombwell Rainbow. #PromoteIndieLit Recent work: "The Dude Work,' Sherwood Handcrafted Press, 2024. Forthcoming: "The Drey Skin", "In Your Mouth"

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 23h

All are welcome to contribute. Please use hashtags #promptcombo #SimplePleasures and tag @dragonslayerma.bsky.social Fidel.
bsky.app/profile/drag...

Fidel Walsh @dragonslayerma.bsky.social · 23h

I'm your host for #PromptCombo this week(Monday to Friday) & the theme is #SimplePleasures . Share those small everyday joys!

Here's 1 I've rejigged to start us off

Tag me & use the hastags❤️

@victoriaspires.bsky.social @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social @hool415.bsky.social @rfsmith.bsky.social

2 6

Reposted by Paul Brookes

poemakontsa @poemakontsa.bsky.social · 14h

The Red Poppy
Louise Glück (in memoriam)

Did you
permit yourselves
to open once, who would never
open again? Because in truth
I am speaking now
the way you do. I speak
because I am shattered

6 10

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Frog and Toad Bot @frogandtoadbot.bsky.social · 1d

That night when Toad went to bed he thought the biggest thoughts that he could think.

Toad thought about giant sunflowers. He thought about tall oak trees. He thought about high mountains covered with snow.

A glimpse into Toad's mind as he sleeps. He dreams of mountains, giant trees, and sunflowers.

From "The Hat"
In *Days with Frog and Toad*

1 43 360

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 17h

Totally agree.

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Fidel Walsh @dragonslayerma.bsky.social · 18h

It's a lovely thing to sit over a cuppa & have the chats.

1 1 1

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 18h

Thank you, Paul.

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Paul Connolly @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social · 18h

A paean to tea. ☕️ 👏👏👏

1 1 1

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 19h

Thank you, Emily. The ivory tusks of the elephants my dad brought back for his mam and dad were an introduction to the British Empire for me as a sixties child.

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Emily Tee @emteepoetry.bsky.social · 19h

I always enjoy your poems Paul but this is particularly fine! It also makes me remember the carved elephants we had when I was growing up courtesy of an aunt and uncle, and he was in the merchant navy too.

1 1 1

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 20h

Thank you, Fidel. Often called a very English pleasure.

1 1

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Fidel Walsh @dragonslayerma.bsky.social · 20h

One of the most #SimplePleasures the cuppa🫖, which comes at a hard toll for others, tho. I like mine in the bone china.
Another outstanding storytelling of yours, Paul. #PromptCombo thanks you❤️

1 1 2

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 20h

Hi @dragonslayerma.bsky.social Fidel. Thank you for the great ##promptcombo #SimplePleasures. My first is from my collection "These Random Acts of Wildness", (Glass Head Press, 2023)

I Make A Cuppa

Some say it is better with a warmed pot, or with tea leaves through a strainer held over a bone China cup. A specialist shop had a bud float in my clear cup unfurled

before my eyes. Expensive and rare sight.

Indulgent, like days of Imperial splendour when women tea harvester's plight long hours, low pay, working was very real.

My dad national service merchantman mariner kept his life in the loft stored in old tea chests, plywood box, steel battaned edges. Brought home carved elephants for the sideboard.

We collect the wild as ornamental. Domesticate, put on a pedestal

3 4 15

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 20h

Thank you, Helen.

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Helen Laycock @helenlaycock.bsky.social · 20h

In six lines, there is a wonderful turnaround, culminating in that reassuring recognition, ‘Took me years to learn I defeat myself’.

I love how this comes about via a memory, as though, even no longer here, the late sister’s influence still has a positive effect.

1 1 2

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 22h

You may enjoy others too:
amzn.eu/d/7RSH0ZU

Othernesses (Poetry from Jane's Studio Press): Amazon.co.uk: Brookes, Paul, Cornwell, Jane, MacGregor, Andy: 9781739323103: Books

Buy Othernesses (Poetry from Jane's Studio Press) by Brookes, Paul, Cornwell, Jane, MacGregor, Andy (ISBN: 9781739323103) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible or...

amzn.eu

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 22h

❤️

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social · 22h

It’s an absolute delight 😊

2 1 1

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Jan Peters - Solivagant Wisdom @janpsolivagant.bsky.social · 22h

Morning, Fidel! Wonderfully sensuous & sensual piece. Particularly love the third stanza.

1 2 3

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Sue Ibrahim @sueimnw.bsky.social · 22h

Oh, this is glorious, Fidel! I feel revived! 😊👏

1 2 3

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Julian (Hool) @hool415.bsky.social · 22h

Hullo @dragonslayerma.bsky.social Thanks for hosting #promptcombo #simplepleasures

Here’s a little bite of whimsy!

Simple Pleasures

I adore a channa dhansak, mushroom bahji, garlic naan…
mango chutney, onion salad
and well…
two to three poppadoms.
There is the sacrament, the indulgence
of eating one of them
when collecting-pilgrim
in my Saturday happiest car.
I imagine breaking down
but confessing to the R.A.C.
honestly chaps,
please feel free
to take your longest ever time.

5 4 20

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Steve Carter @shieldaig.bsky.social · 1d

Looking across a still sea towards the munro 'Liathach' yesterday morning.

2 8 120

Reposted by Paul Brookes

William Odz. 🦖🦕🙀 @wodz.bsky.social · 7d

For @hool415.bsky.social and #PromptCombo #Visitor

from more than a momentary frustration

3 3 14

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Glenn Barker @rotherwrites.bsky.social · 22h

I second that Sue.Carolyn is a perennial support and promoter of the #PoemsAbout community and others. 💚

1 1 5

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Sue Ibrahim @sueimnw.bsky.social · 22h

A(nother) #Lifttothesky today for the wonderful Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social for her beautiful poetry and her incredible support for me and all those in the poetry community. With love and thanks 💙

6 9 18

Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social · 22h

❤️

Reposted by Paul Brookes

Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social · 22h

Love it, Paul

1 1 1