Ben Banyard
@benbanyard.bsky.social
Dad, poet-type & editor of Black Nore Review (@blacknorereview.bsky.social). Birmingham City fan & Bristol Bears RFC season ticket holder. https://ben.banyard.wordpress.com
Pinned
Ben Banyard
@benbanyard.bsky.social
· Sep 30
Hi-Viz
My second full collection, published by Yaffle Press in November 2021.
benbanyard.wordpress.com
I've reduced signed copies of my last #poetry collection, Hi-Viz, to just £5.00 (£7.00 including P&P) on my site!
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
To celebrate #NationalPoetryDay here in the UK, here's one from my last collection, "Hi-Viz".
Copies of the book are available from my website for a bargain £7 (including P&P). benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
@poetrydayuk.bsky.social @yaffles-nest.bsky.social #poetry
Copies of the book are available from my website for a bargain £7 (including P&P). benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
@poetrydayuk.bsky.social @yaffles-nest.bsky.social #poetry
October 2, 2025 at 10:27 AM
To celebrate #NationalPoetryDay here in the UK, here's one from my last collection, "Hi-Viz".
Copies of the book are available from my website for a bargain £7 (including P&P). benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
@poetrydayuk.bsky.social @yaffles-nest.bsky.social #poetry
Copies of the book are available from my website for a bargain £7 (including P&P). benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
@poetrydayuk.bsky.social @yaffles-nest.bsky.social #poetry
Reposted by Ben Banyard
Can't eat - or even contemplate - an orange without thinking of this poem by Brian Patten. RIP. 🍊💔 🍊
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Can't eat - or even contemplate - an orange without thinking of this poem by Brian Patten. RIP. 🍊💔 🍊
I expect you've been wondering why I haven't posted on my blog in two years? No. Oh. Well, this is awkward. benbanyard.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/f...
Finding the “new normal”
Firstly, let’s get one thing straight – it didn’t come as a shock to me at all to realise that it’s been over two years since I last posted on this blog. Although never as regular as I’d like, up u…
benbanyard.wordpress.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I expect you've been wondering why I haven't posted on my blog in two years? No. Oh. Well, this is awkward. benbanyard.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/f...
I've reduced signed copies of my last #poetry collection, Hi-Viz, to just £5.00 (£7.00 including P&P) on my site!
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
Hi-Viz
My second full collection, published by Yaffle Press in November 2021.
benbanyard.wordpress.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I've reduced signed copies of my last #poetry collection, Hi-Viz, to just £5.00 (£7.00 including P&P) on my site!
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
Don't delay - there aren't many left!
For more info, sample poems and the lovely things that people have said about the book, head to my website.
benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/
We are extending our Pick of the Month vote for another 24 hours, until 6pm tomorrow, Friday 19 September. We share a selection of your comments with the shortlisted poets, so do please vote if you haven't already!
Which poem is your IS&T August 2025 Pick of the Month? Choose from @benbanyard.bsky.social, John Bartlett, Cindy Botha, Liz Byrne, Jeff Gallagher or Esha Volvoikar, and vote at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2025-...
#InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity #PickoftheMonth
#InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity #PickoftheMonth
September 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Thrilled that "Day of the Dead" has been shortlisted for IS&T's Pick of the Month for August. Voting closes this Thursday!
Which poem is your IS&T August 2025 Pick of the Month? Choose from @benbanyard.bsky.social, John Bartlett, Cindy Botha, Liz Byrne, Jeff Gallagher or Esha Volvoikar, and vote at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2025-...
#InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity #PickoftheMonth
#InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity #PickoftheMonth
September 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Thrilled that "Day of the Dead" has been shortlisted for IS&T's Pick of the Month for August. Voting closes this Thursday!
Great to see my poem "Indoor Market" alongside some excellent work in the latest issue of @stepawaymag.bsky.social - always a brilliant read. stepawaymagazine.com
https://stepawaymagazine.com
stepawaymagazine.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Great to see my poem "Indoor Market" alongside some excellent work in the latest issue of @stepawaymag.bsky.social - always a brilliant read. stepawaymagazine.com
A lovely selection of late summer-themed writing in the latest issue of @mugwortmagazine.bsky.social including my poem about the charmingly old fashioned East Devon town of Sidmouth. #poetry mugwortmag.wordpress.com/2025/08/23/s...
Season 2: Volume 2 / August 2025
Welcome to the latest issue of Mugwort Magazine. Summer is winding down, the harvest is well underway, and there’s a nip of autumn in the air even on the hotter days. In keeping with that Aug…
mugwortmag.wordpress.com
August 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A lovely selection of late summer-themed writing in the latest issue of @mugwortmagazine.bsky.social including my poem about the charmingly old fashioned East Devon town of Sidmouth. #poetry mugwortmag.wordpress.com/2025/08/23/s...
Reposted by Ben Banyard
The site will take a break from the usual Monday and Thursday schedule while I take a much-needed holiday. Keep an eye out for the next poem on Monday 18th August!
August 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The site will take a break from the usual Monday and Thursday schedule while I take a much-needed holiday. Keep an eye out for the next poem on Monday 18th August!
This is fantastic news not only for Newcastle, but also the newly rebranded Prem as a whole in terms of having ten fully competitive teams in the league. #rugbyunion #premrugby www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Newcastle Falcons: Red Bull takeover expected to be finalised, club to be renamed Newcastle Red Bulls
Red Bull's takeover of Newcastle Falcons is close to going through, with the club set to be renamed Newcastle Red Bulls.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This is fantastic news not only for Newcastle, but also the newly rebranded Prem as a whole in terms of having ten fully competitive teams in the league. #rugbyunion #premrugby www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
This cracker on Atrium today by @lauratheis.bsky.social reminds me of one of my favourite tunes! youtu.be/Ijlk0GTQbB4?...
July 29, 2025 at 8:26 AM
This cracker on Atrium today by @lauratheis.bsky.social reminds me of one of my favourite tunes! youtu.be/Ijlk0GTQbB4?...
My poem "Hippy Market", about a visit to Es Cana in Ibiza, has found a lovely home in Mugwort Magazine today. Many thanks to @kategarrettwrites.bsky.social for choosing it.
Season 2: Volume 1 is out now!
mugwortmag.wordpress.com/2025/07/19/s...
You’ll find plants, birds, the sea, holidays... & of course, the edges: the shifting borders between the human & non-human, the urban & the wild, this world & others.
We hope you have a beautiful journey through each one. 🌿
mugwortmag.wordpress.com/2025/07/19/s...
You’ll find plants, birds, the sea, holidays... & of course, the edges: the shifting borders between the human & non-human, the urban & the wild, this world & others.
We hope you have a beautiful journey through each one. 🌿
July 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My poem "Hippy Market", about a visit to Es Cana in Ibiza, has found a lovely home in Mugwort Magazine today. Many thanks to @kategarrettwrites.bsky.social for choosing it.
#poets of the UK and Europe! @blacknorereview.bsky.social needs your #submission - send your work my way ASAP! The site can't operate without your excellent #writing
The submissions inbox is almost empty, so now would be a good time to send me your work! #poetrysubmissions #poetry
Submit
How to send me your work!
blacknorereview.wordpress.com
July 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
#poets of the UK and Europe! @blacknorereview.bsky.social needs your #submission - send your work my way ASAP! The site can't operate without your excellent #writing
Are you, like me, a relative newcomer to Bluesky whose fancy is tickled by #poetry? It can be daunting for those of us who have fled from X to rebuild contact lists pieced together over several years, but @hannahl1n.bsky.social has the answer!
My UK Poets List 6 is now full so I'll be starting List 7 soon! Look in my Starter Packs for all 6 lists to find 900 poets based in the UK. You can browse or follow all on each list so it makes it easier to find people.
Also will copy links in comments here too.
go.bsky.app/7AjfazE
Also will copy links in comments here too.
go.bsky.app/7AjfazE
June 30, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Are you, like me, a relative newcomer to Bluesky whose fancy is tickled by #poetry? It can be daunting for those of us who have fled from X to rebuild contact lists pieced together over several years, but @hannahl1n.bsky.social has the answer!
Say what you like about the Brewers Fayre restaurant chain, but my local branch is pretty much the only place since the mid 90s that I've heard tracks from Gin Blossoms' debut album on the playlist! Love it. youtu.be/ah5gAkna3jI?...
Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by GinBlossomsVEVO
youtu.be
June 30, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Say what you like about the Brewers Fayre restaurant chain, but my local branch is pretty much the only place since the mid 90s that I've heard tracks from Gin Blossoms' debut album on the playlist! Love it. youtu.be/ah5gAkna3jI?...
This poem on @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today is a quacker...sorry, I'll see myself out.
June 27, 2025 at 10:34 AM
This poem on @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today is a quacker...sorry, I'll see myself out.
I've loved Anne Tyler's books for many years, but I think this is the first time I've seen her interviewed. A really interesting insight into her life and creative practice. #writinglife youtu.be/i8qr2xFu-Ok?...
Extended interview: Anne Tyler
YouTube video by CBS Sunday Morning
youtu.be
June 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I've loved Anne Tyler's books for many years, but I think this is the first time I've seen her interviewed. A really interesting insight into her life and creative practice. #writinglife youtu.be/i8qr2xFu-Ok?...
Here's a poem taken from my last collection, "Hi-Viz" (Yaffle Press). Copies are available from my website at benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/ #poetry #grief
June 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Here's a poem taken from my last collection, "Hi-Viz" (Yaffle Press). Copies are available from my website at benbanyard.wordpress.com/hi-viz/ #poetry #grief
Feeling a bit Mondayish today, but a good dose of The Wonder Stuff on my drive to work has helped. Never fails! youtu.be/u3XRT97h5ec?...
Maybe
YouTube video by The Wonder Stuff - Topic
youtu.be
June 23, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Feeling a bit Mondayish today, but a good dose of The Wonder Stuff on my drive to work has helped. Never fails! youtu.be/u3XRT97h5ec?...
Teenage Fanclub are my favourite band by a country mile. I don't entirely agree with this ranking of their top tunes - "I Don't Want Control of You" is their best, obviously! www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...
Scotland’s most reliable sunshine! Teenage Fanclub’s greatest songs – ranked
As their album Grand Prix turns 30, we rate the standout moments from a group Kurt Cobain called ‘the best in the world’
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Teenage Fanclub are my favourite band by a country mile. I don't entirely agree with this ranking of their top tunes - "I Don't Want Control of You" is their best, obviously! www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...
Realised I haven't deleted any emails from the Sent folder of my personal account since 2002, so I started reading them. It was like encountering a different person. How odd we are in our 20s/early 30s! And I'm only up to 2012, just before my kids were born...
June 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Realised I haven't deleted any emails from the Sent folder of my personal account since 2002, so I started reading them. It was like encountering a different person. How odd we are in our 20s/early 30s! And I'm only up to 2012, just before my kids were born...
Yes, it does feel like 30 years since this banger came out, but it still sounds ace. youtu.be/8f-D7Xx89r4?...
Ben Harper - Ground On Down
YouTube video by BenHarperVEVO
youtu.be
June 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Yes, it does feel like 30 years since this banger came out, but it still sounds ace. youtu.be/8f-D7Xx89r4?...
Reposted by Ben Banyard
It's that time again! If you have poetry or flash that you'd like to share with the world, send it my way for consideration. #poetry #poetrysubmissions
The submissions inbox is almost empty, so now would be a good time to send me your work! #poetrysubmissions #poetry
Submit
How to send me your work!
blacknorereview.wordpress.com
June 16, 2025 at 10:57 AM
It's that time again! If you have poetry or flash that you'd like to share with the world, send it my way for consideration. #poetry #poetrysubmissions
I had a little back and forth recently with a fellow poet regarding setting up a poetry journal. I was reminded of a piece I wrote on my blog some years ago, just after Clear Poetry shut up shop, and thought it might be useful to anyone considering launching their own site.
#poetry #poetryjournals
#poetry #poetryjournals
DIY – the punk ethic
A few pointers for anyone considering setting up their own online literary journal.
benbanyard.wordpress.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I had a little back and forth recently with a fellow poet regarding setting up a poetry journal. I was reminded of a piece I wrote on my blog some years ago, just after Clear Poetry shut up shop, and thought it might be useful to anyone considering launching their own site.
#poetry #poetryjournals
#poetry #poetryjournals
Great to see that Jason Isbell's acoustic record Foxes in the Snow has been nominated for best album at the Americana Awards. A songwriter at the very top of his game. youtu.be/TkB4vihiTWo?...
Ride to Robert's
YouTube video by Jason Isbell - Topic
youtu.be
June 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Great to see that Jason Isbell's acoustic record Foxes in the Snow has been nominated for best album at the Americana Awards. A songwriter at the very top of his game. youtu.be/TkB4vihiTWo?...