Dawn McLachlan
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deemclachlan.bsky.social
Dawn McLachlan
@deemclachlan.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1.1K following 440 posts
Poet and author for hire or loan. Won some prizes. Account is stuff from a small town in NE Scotland.
Hoping to kickstart #HaikuAltText & #PoemAltText
See #FridayPoem
She/Her

https://dawnmclachlan.com/dawnmclachlan-author/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-pdlbl
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deemclachlan.bsky.social
Dawn McLachlan @deemclachlan.bsky.social · 2d
A #sundaypoem
This one is a #haibun

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #poemsabout #poetsofbluesky #poets #poemsaboutlife #autumn #poemalttext #usealttext #AltTextPoetry #AltText
Logs A haibun by Dawn Mclachlan From a high window I watch upturned clouds fill the valley and blur the silhouetted forest. The logs remain tumbled together in a giant bag in the yard. In a fit of hubris I dig out a pair of thick gloves and decide to move and stack them on my own. By the time I manage to haul everything in and fill the shed, the mist has arrived and stealthily smothers the town. It clings to me like sweat as I tug the day's splinters from my blistered hands. As streetlights signal the arrival of evening I shake beads of water from my hair like a dog and think of the supper I have yet to plan. Shrouded in the mist Fearful of Winter's sharp teeth I stack logs alone
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
tobyontv.bsky.social
‘I once planned to sue the bbc for suggesting I encouraged an insurrection the time I encouraged an insurrection on live tv’
Bob Mortimer on Wilty
November 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
gailsimone.bsky.social
A reminder that this anti-trans panic is 100% bullshit and exactly none of our country’s problems are related to someone expressing their gender identity and everyone who isn’t a hate-filled weirdo knows it.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
deemclachlan.bsky.social
I’m a volunteer guide at a medieval Scottish ruin and I often add details of the grand old trees on the site into my tours. My absolute favourite study resource is this one from @wtscotsocial.bsky.social
I love that they include mythology and folklore.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-...
A-Z of British trees
Explore our guide on British Trees.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
louiestowell.bsky.social
Creative pals, we need you! A group of us are running an auction to raise funds for the Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan. Sudanese people are dealing with the worst humanitarian crisis since records began. Can you donate mentoring/art/signed books etc? SIGN UP HERE: www.sudancoup.com/auction
Creatives4Sudan Fundraising Auction — Keep Eyes On Sudan
Creatives coming together to raise life-saving funds for the people escaping genocide in El-Fasher, Sudan
www.sudancoup.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
thebrokenspine.co.uk
Last week burned bright. This week: #Desire — ache, hunger, want, undoing. What pulls you toward the flame? New theme begins Friday. Don’t post early. Use Alt Text. Tag #PoemsAbout to be found. For Saturday prompts: shorturl.at/0Xm7A
A halved papaya lies open on a dark, wet surface. Its glistening red interior, filled with pomegranate seeds and dripping juice, carries a sensual, sexually suggestive tone. Scattered berries surround it. The Broken Spine logo, shaped like a black fountain pen nib, appears top left. "@thebrokenspine.co.uk" is written top right in white. At the bottom right, bold white text reads: "Read Repost Reply #POEMSABOUT #DESIRE".
November 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
thebrokenspine.co.uk
Mark it down: Dec 20th @ 20.00 — #PoemsAbout #OpenMic + #ChristmasParty returns! Poets, readers, friends — one final night to lift your words before the year ends. 🎤✨

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1967176915...
A Christmas tree made of soft, out-of-focus lights glows against a dark blue background. The blurred bulbs form a tapering triangle of reds, greens, yellows, and oranges. White text on the left reads: “#POEMSABOUT VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY & OPEN MIC 20.12.25 @ 20.00 — Hosted by Alan Parry.” The Broken Spine logo, shaped like a black fountain pen nib, appears at the top right.
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
deemclachlan.bsky.social
Just accidentally butt-dialled a fancy hotel that I’m visiting soon and left a 17min message that must have included a conversation about how much I need a poop. So… how’s your Sunday going.
November 9, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
blueskypoetry.bsky.social
November’s #BlueSkyPoetry Prompts

Title: “November Hearthlight”

We’ve changed our format for our prompts.
We hope you like this new touch.

Use the exact hashtag #BSPP47
to share each of your creations
for any of the days of November
that you choose to write.

#amwriting #poetry #poetryCommunity
November 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
deemclachlan.bsky.social
A #sundaypoem
This one is a #haibun

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #poemsabout #poetsofbluesky #poets #poemsaboutlife #autumn #poemalttext #usealttext #AltTextPoetry #AltText
Logs A haibun by Dawn Mclachlan From a high window I watch upturned clouds fill the valley and blur the silhouetted forest. The logs remain tumbled together in a giant bag in the yard. In a fit of hubris I dig out a pair of thick gloves and decide to move and stack them on my own. By the time I manage to haul everything in and fill the shed, the mist has arrived and stealthily smothers the town. It clings to me like sweat as I tug the day's splinters from my blistered hands. As streetlights signal the arrival of evening I shake beads of water from my hair like a dog and think of the supper I have yet to plan. Shrouded in the mist Fearful of Winter's sharp teeth I stack logs alone
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
drnaturegirl.debbiemross.co.uk
Good morning, Bluesky. I can’t see out of my windows currently, as the mist has condensed on the outside, but there’s a peek of blue.

Yesterday the weather was glorious. I’m sharing the serene calm of our beach last night for today’s #photooftheday.

Happy Saturday.

#Scotland
#sunset
#beach
A beach scene photographed. Blue sky with white and grey cloud with tints of pink hugging the hills on the horizon. A pale, icy blue sea calm and flat with ripples approaching the sand. A triangle of sand backed by a slice of dune, maram grass highlighted.
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
sheg7.bsky.social
So much 'gender critical' nonsense boils down to "im normal, so i deserve to be prioritised" which is manifestly an overwhelmingly abnormal thing to say.
November 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
rikinparekh.bsky.social
Really wowed over to see #CharlieAndTheChristmasFactory trending at #1 for Short Stories for Young Readers on Amazon!
Such a fun book to illustrate; all the Authors involved wrote such fun text to work with :)
Shop local, too if you can🙏
@puffinbooksuk.bsky.social
#kidlit #kidlitart
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 AM
deemclachlan.bsky.social
A #FridayPoem for the #poemsabout prompt of #lockeddoors
This time a #villanelle I really enjoy working in this form.
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
Hope you like it.
#poetry #poetsofbluesky #PoemAltText #AltText #poems
Lock the doors A villanelle form poem by Dawn Mclachlan Lock the doors, slide the bolts again Across the water far distant islands sleep Rest easy now for only peace remains The storm will rage turning enemy to friend Dark night shifts windows to mirrored keep As we lock the doors and slide the bolts again Our stories dark with Memory's sanguine stain Thoughts of those we lost to endless sleep Can we rest easy now where only peace remains? At hearth and home we draw out such wraiths With restless dreams of towering mountains steep We lock the doors and slide the bolts again Come rest with me, we'll talk through the pain And softly dwell upon the loves we made to weep But rest easy now, for only peace remains With the air too thick with souls that creep And long fireside shadows that dance and leap We shall lock the doors and slide the bolts again And rest easy here, for only peace remains
November 7, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
drnaturegirl.debbiemross.co.uk
Hello #poetrycommunity @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk This is my slim offering for todays #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors thanks as always to reader and sharers I’ll be popping in and out as time allows. Looking forward to your contributions.

#poetry #poems
A poem by Debbie Ross entitled Shut Out Or Shut In Body text as follows In my dreams there is locked door after locked door, down a never ending corridor. I don't know what it means, I rarely remember dreams, but I remember the feeling of panic, of not being able to get through to get to you.
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
thebrokenspine.co.uk
This week’s prompt wants your ghosts, your don’t ask me about thats, your barricaded memories.
Post from today through Thursday.
Tag it. Use Alt Text. #TakeRisks #EndOnAnImage #AvoidCliché
Read 3. Repost. Reply. Don’t be a ghost.
Sign up: shorturl.at/0Xm7A
A moody, monochrome image of a shut black iron door recessed in a grim brick wall. Camera angle low, focused on rough cobblestones leading to the door. Top left: The Broken Spine logo. Top right: “@thebrokenspine.co.uk”. Bottom right: “Read Repost Reply #POEMSABOUT #LOCKEDDOORS”.
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
sueimnw.bsky.social
For this week's #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors with thanks to @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk and all those participating. Not what I thought I'd write...
November 7, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
johnchmura.bsky.social
#PoemsAbout #LockedDoors
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
I will put a reel in the comments, or I won’t.
LOCKED DOORS I’ve learned or been reluctantly convinced to trust the math so if Monty Hall may he rest in peace resurrected his game show host self and showed me Schrödinger’s pussy or a goat behind door number two I would switch my choice but I wouldn’t like it. I want bigger balls to fall faster, I want Columbus to land in India, I want eels born from mud, I want my wife to have less teeth than me, I want ice smaller than water, and I want 77 million Americans to be and to vote smarter, but they ain’t and they’re maybe never gonna.
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
rburrows.bsky.social
My #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors was a bit of a hurried affair - which is ironic considering the subject matter! And yes I know she’s a hermaphrodite -maybe that’s my picturebook-writing coming through or maybe it’s significant - you decide! 😊Thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk 🥰 @thebrokenspine.co.uk #poetry
November 7, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
rotherwrites.bsky.social
Welcome one and all for this week's @thebrokenspine.co.uk for the #PoemsAbout theme of #LockedDoors, and why they might be locked, what lies behind them.
Until Alan returns please keep the sharing and feedback alive. It took a long time to build #PoemsAbout to the community it is today. 🎯
The Other Side of Truth Some of them don’t look like doors at all. Take wallets and bank accounts for instance; neither you nor I can see over those walls. We take it on trust what’s on the other side. There’s always something there, something you can rely on; call it truth. But this truth is only ever half of the story, even if it is real. One day you find the key or the ladder to that treasury of wealth, usually money. Your illusionist milks the audience, pulls back the curtain, to reveal nothing. A blank, a void. And that’s the other side of truth. Ugly. © Glenn Barker November 2025
November 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
bernp.bsky.social
Big thanks @alanparrywriter.co.uk @thebrokenspine.co.uk #PoemsAbout #LockedDoors

A Bad Night

The now-ghoul
glint of
lost eyes
summons up
Blind janus
In the odd motel
Of my head
shade slaver,
Unresting fatal spring,
A choke of snowdrops
Under a winding sheet of winter.
November 7, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
hannahflynn-poetry.bsky.social
When I saw the theme for this week I thought all my poems are about locked doors!

The #poemsabout #lockeddoors gives me the perfect opportunity to reshare my poem "Host", which was published by @viridinelit.bsky.social in its summer issue on Identity

@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
Host by Hannah Flynn You took me to your house once- a stone's throw from mine. I wasn't allowed any further than the living room; you stayed on the other side. Surrounded by grown-ups, I was the silly little girl, who had locked herself out. They were nice enough-for people who knew you wouldn't stay long. One made me a cup of tea. I saw us in negative: you white and snowy, me lurking in the corner shadows. Always the hostess and never the invited. Geisha of the tea. Cleaner of the sheets. Hider of the stains.
November 7, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
bigbeardybooks.bsky.social
Going to do a new pinned post as I'm changing domain, my domain is now bigbeardedbookseller.uk and everything is going on this domain now.

I'm writing about pretty much anything I'm interested in when I have something to say, so no timetable as such.

#Introduction #PinnedPost
Top of a Wordpress website with tiled images for various posts
August 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
thepaulconnolly.bsky.social
I am delighted that my #poem Devon Gothic is longlisted for the @walklistencreate.org WRITE ABOUT WALKING IN THE DARK competition. My huge thanks go to WLC & competition judges @marcellenewbold.bsky.social & Damaris West. You can read the poem in the link below 👇

#poetsonbluesky #poetrycommunity
Devon Gothic
write.walklistencreate.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
rayhourigan.bsky.social
While light blinds, darkness
Hides, and what is hidden is
What we really fear.
#WildWalkPrompt #darkness #haiku #senryu #poem #writing #writingcommunity
@sonnetsmith.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Reposted by Dawn McLachlan
joannanadin.bsky.social
Things I would abolish if I ruled the world #1

That bit on Pointless where they ask the contestants to tell us something about themselves. No one cares, Alexander. Get on with the game.
November 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM