Clare O'Brien
@clareobrien.bsky.social
Writer. Music fan. Poet in Residence, Inverewe Garden, Scottish Highlands. Will block A.I. slop & associated evangelists.
Poetry chapbooks 'Breathing Out Becomes White And Snowfall' & 'Who Am I Supposed To Be Driving?' out now.
Web: clarevobrien.weebly.com
Poetry chapbooks 'Breathing Out Becomes White And Snowfall' & 'Who Am I Supposed To Be Driving?' out now.
Web: clarevobrien.weebly.com
Pinned
Interview with our poet-in-residence at Inverewe
Clare O’Brien talks about her role as poet-in-residence at Inverewe Garden.
www.nts.org.uk
My year as poet-in-residence at Inverewe Garden & Estate is drawing to a close, but here's my recent interview with arts curator Ginevra House, now free to read on The National Trust For Scotland's website.
@n-t-s.bsky.social
#poetry #poetrycommunity #ScottishHighlands
@n-t-s.bsky.social
#poetry #poetrycommunity #ScottishHighlands
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
A brilliant starter pack of Poets from @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social Please follow and repost if you can #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
November 15, 2025 at 8:35 AM
A brilliant starter pack of Poets from @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social Please follow and repost if you can #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
"Society cannot function without a broadly accepted body of facts. The US no longer has that: there are red-state facts and blue-state facts; Fox News facts and MSNBC facts. Watergate...would barely make a dent in today’s US: the right would simply deny the evidence, cheered on by its media allies."
Trump can get away with saying what he likes about the BBC. But Epstein? That’s his one vulnerability | Jonathan Freedland
In attacking a vital broadcaster, the US president is once again holding others to standards he flouts. But the Maga faithful might not let his links to the disgraced financier go, says Guardian colum...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:37 AM
"Society cannot function without a broadly accepted body of facts. The US no longer has that: there are red-state facts and blue-state facts; Fox News facts and MSNBC facts. Watergate...would barely make a dent in today’s US: the right would simply deny the evidence, cheered on by its media allies."
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office. I urged Ministers to support workers who have lost their jobs, and stop this from happening again.
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office. I urged Ministers to support workers who have lost their jobs, and stop this from happening again.
Great. Now suspend ALL intelligence sharing with the USA. Treat them like the terrorist state they have chosen to be.
UK pauses intelligence-sharing with US on suspected drug vessels in Caribbean
Rare rupture between military allies comes as concerns grow over Trump administration’s lethal sinking of boats
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Great. Now suspend ALL intelligence sharing with the USA. Treat them like the terrorist state they have chosen to be.
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
I'm just sick of American aggression at this point. In fact I'm just sick of America. I know the govt & the evil corporate tech bros aren't the people, but nevertheless a majority of the people are stupid & ugly enough to hand power to a bunch of gangsters even stupider & uglier than they are.
🔴'BBC Bias’ Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I'm just sick of American aggression at this point. In fact I'm just sick of America. I know the govt & the evil corporate tech bros aren't the people, but nevertheless a majority of the people are stupid & ugly enough to hand power to a bunch of gangsters even stupider & uglier than they are.
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
See what’s happening. A Trumpist US media company has taken over Channel 5. Another US company is gunning for ITV. Our social media is saturated by Musk’s calls for civil war in the UK. The BBC is the last thing standing, and Trump/Johnson are trying to bring it down
November 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM
See what’s happening. A Trumpist US media company has taken over Channel 5. Another US company is gunning for ITV. Our social media is saturated by Musk’s calls for civil war in the UK. The BBC is the last thing standing, and Trump/Johnson are trying to bring it down
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
My husband just remarked that as there appears to be little difference in unattractiveness between them, the Conservative Party and Reform might merge and become Conform.
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My husband just remarked that as there appears to be little difference in unattractiveness between them, the Conservative Party and Reform might merge and become Conform.
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
If there was a prize for post of the week @clareobrien.bsky.social deserves to win it for saying that trying to get away from the AI shite being pushed on us is "like escaping the advances of a drunken harasser in a bar."
I'm sick of A.I. being pushed on me like drugs at the school gate. Wanted to check my Microsoft 365 subscription today, and only got to see my payment history after I'd had to punch Copilot in the face about three times. Felt like escaping the advances of a drunken harasser in a bar.
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 AM
If there was a prize for post of the week @clareobrien.bsky.social deserves to win it for saying that trying to get away from the AI shite being pushed on us is "like escaping the advances of a drunken harasser in a bar."
Can thoroughly recommend this great anthology of short fiction!! My story 'Body Positive' is in some great company - well worth the £9 outlay which goes to benefit UK charity The Wildlife Trusts.
#writingcommunity #writesky #authorsandwriting #booksky 📚💙
#writingcommunity #writesky #authorsandwriting #booksky 📚💙
Today's teases from our gorgeous charity print anthology are from stories exploring family loss and uncovered family secrets.
Stunning work from @joycebingham.bsky.social @mikepiero.org @clareobrien.bsky.social
Get a copy and enjoy all 27 short fictions:
mybook.to/WhatComesToL... 🦝
Stunning work from @joycebingham.bsky.social @mikepiero.org @clareobrien.bsky.social
Get a copy and enjoy all 27 short fictions:
mybook.to/WhatComesToL... 🦝
November 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Can thoroughly recommend this great anthology of short fiction!! My story 'Body Positive' is in some great company - well worth the £9 outlay which goes to benefit UK charity The Wildlife Trusts.
#writingcommunity #writesky #authorsandwriting #booksky 📚💙
#writingcommunity #writesky #authorsandwriting #booksky 📚💙
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
Born a rich kid, this parasite doesn’t make anything himself. He’s a lucky, greedy, self-obsessed player in capitalism’s casino. A care nurse does more for humanity in an hour than he’s achieved in a lifetime. And he uses his wealth for racist, classist, anti-trans causes.
Capitalism’s values stink
Capitalism’s values stink
Tesla shareholders approve $1tn pay package for Elon Musk
Chants of ‘Elon’ erupt after compensation plan approved despite opposition from several high-profile investors
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Born a rich kid, this parasite doesn’t make anything himself. He’s a lucky, greedy, self-obsessed player in capitalism’s casino. A care nurse does more for humanity in an hour than he’s achieved in a lifetime. And he uses his wealth for racist, classist, anti-trans causes.
Capitalism’s values stink
Capitalism’s values stink
Here's my #poem for the #poemsabout #lockeddoors prompt.
It's an #ekphrastic poem this time - at least, I'm not sure it works without my photo? I came across these stone dogs by chance & instantly wanted to write about them.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
#poetry #poetsofbluesky
It's an #ekphrastic poem this time - at least, I'm not sure it works without my photo? I came across these stone dogs by chance & instantly wanted to write about them.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
#poetry #poetsofbluesky
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Here's my #poem for the #poemsabout #lockeddoors prompt.
It's an #ekphrastic poem this time - at least, I'm not sure it works without my photo? I came across these stone dogs by chance & instantly wanted to write about them.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
#poetry #poetsofbluesky
It's an #ekphrastic poem this time - at least, I'm not sure it works without my photo? I came across these stone dogs by chance & instantly wanted to write about them.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
#poetry #poetsofbluesky
After several days of unrelenting rain I finally made it over to Inverewe Garden to see my Autumn #poem in situ in the Wet Garden! Check the alt text if you can't read it easily. Needless to say - the poem was written on a sunnier afternoon. 🌞
#poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetinresidence
#poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetinresidence
November 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
After several days of unrelenting rain I finally made it over to Inverewe Garden to see my Autumn #poem in situ in the Wet Garden! Check the alt text if you can't read it easily. Needless to say - the poem was written on a sunnier afternoon. 🌞
#poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetinresidence
#poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetinresidence
Indeed. In fact, although I've been an SNP voter for ages, and have never once ventured onto TikTok, I'm considering voting for, or even joining, the Greens. My only concern is that the Scottish Greens seem less impressive than the English party, which is a bit of a first for me.
I’ve seen on the media how pundits amusingly refer to Zack Polanski as if entirely propped up by social media & youngsters’ ‘vibes’ but to this middle aged women (who has no TikTok account) he seems the most serious political leader in sight talking about real issues with conviction and directness 🤷🏻♀️
November 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Indeed. In fact, although I've been an SNP voter for ages, and have never once ventured onto TikTok, I'm considering voting for, or even joining, the Greens. My only concern is that the Scottish Greens seem less impressive than the English party, which is a bit of a first for me.
Yes - because they don't want you to do anything for pleasure that they can't monetise. I'm so sick of America, its godforsaken 996 culture & its shitty politics, both of which it tries to export to us. Some of the art is still worthwhile although even that's under threat from this barbaric regime.
America… where they will force you to give birth and then blame you if you struggle financially.
Where they will ban abortions but also cut funding for infant formula and SNAP funds that feed kids.
Where they will ban abortions but also cut funding for infant formula and SNAP funds that feed kids.
November 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Yes - because they don't want you to do anything for pleasure that they can't monetise. I'm so sick of America, its godforsaken 996 culture & its shitty politics, both of which it tries to export to us. Some of the art is still worthwhile although even that's under threat from this barbaric regime.
Didn't get as much reading done in October as usual. However: properly digested a collection of Seamus Heaney's I've had for some time, re-read Deborah Curtis's memoir of her tragically flawed husband Ian, and devoured another of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden thrillers.
📚💙 #booksky
📚💙 #booksky
November 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Didn't get as much reading done in October as usual. However: properly digested a collection of Seamus Heaney's I've had for some time, re-read Deborah Curtis's memoir of her tragically flawed husband Ian, and devoured another of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden thrillers.
📚💙 #booksky
📚💙 #booksky
"What he knew, in short, was that fascism was not over, and that the right would metastasise, returning in a new form to claim power over a populace stupefied by the tawdry blandishments of capitalism. Was Pasolini wrong in his predictions? I think we all know the answer to that."
What did Pasolini know? Fifty years after his brutal murder, the director’s vision of fascism is more urgent than ever
With mystery still surrounding Pier Paolo Pasolini’s death, the poet and film-maker’s warnings of corruption and rising totalitarianism offer a chilling message for our times
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
"What he knew, in short, was that fascism was not over, and that the right would metastasise, returning in a new form to claim power over a populace stupefied by the tawdry blandishments of capitalism. Was Pasolini wrong in his predictions? I think we all know the answer to that."
Up McCaig's Tower in Oban today.
Observed by crow and cat.
Observed by crow and cat.
October 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Up McCaig's Tower in Oban today.
Observed by crow and cat.
Observed by crow and cat.
This.
(We have a ghost, but I dont tell visitors about her unless they encounter her themselves. Some people she just finds uninteresting.)
(We have a ghost, but I dont tell visitors about her unless they encounter her themselves. Some people she just finds uninteresting.)
October 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This.
(We have a ghost, but I dont tell visitors about her unless they encounter her themselves. Some people she just finds uninteresting.)
(We have a ghost, but I dont tell visitors about her unless they encounter her themselves. Some people she just finds uninteresting.)
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
Today's featured author is @clareobrien.bsky.social. 'Breathing Out Becomes White And Snowfall' is written in response to heard voices—not threatening but benign... tuning into a frequency carrying random scraps of language; puns and wordplay, sometimes dark, sometimes playful, sometimes nonsensical
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Today's featured author is @clareobrien.bsky.social. 'Breathing Out Becomes White And Snowfall' is written in response to heard voices—not threatening but benign... tuning into a frequency carrying random scraps of language; puns and wordplay, sometimes dark, sometimes playful, sometimes nonsensical
Delighted that my poem 'Excommunicate' is featured in this great digital anthology! 😊
Out now: Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025 — edited by @vespertine4.bsky.social & @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social. Free to download from The Broken Spine website.
thebrokenspine.co.uk/product/sele...
thebrokenspine.co.uk/product/sele...
Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025 - Eds. David Hanlon & Katie Jenkins (Digital) - The Broken Spine
Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025 (Digital Edition) Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025 brings together bold, contemporary voices from across the globe. Edited by David Hanlon and Katie Jenkins, this downloadable...
thebrokenspine.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Delighted that my poem 'Excommunicate' is featured in this great digital anthology! 😊
Reposted by Clare O'Brien
I have a very bad feeling about this...
October 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I have a very bad feeling about this...
Being an unapologetically proud mama here as Ruairdhri is my son! Look at his splendid art. 😊 Thanks to Paul of @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social for interviewing him and spotlighting his work.
The Starbeck Orion Issue 13, Day One celebrates the art of Ruairdhri Wright
the880.substack.com/p/the-starbe...
the880.substack.com/p/the-starbe...
the880.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Being an unapologetically proud mama here as Ruairdhri is my son! Look at his splendid art. 😊 Thanks to Paul of @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social for interviewing him and spotlighting his work.
My contribution for #poemsabout #BurnForTheCamera was written shortly after the death by suicide of an old friend who was a performing artist. I was trying to understand the pressure performers are under - from fame, from fans, from the press.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
My contribution for #poemsabout #BurnForTheCamera was written shortly after the death by suicide of an old friend who was a performing artist. I was trying to understand the pressure performers are under - from fame, from fans, from the press.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk