Jean Atkin
@jmatkin.bsky.social
British, mostly Scottish, poet in education + community projects / The Poetry Wire online courses / 3rd collection HIGH NOWHERE from IDP / out walking / plagued by the cat / www.jeanatkin.com
Furred for winter, the broom seeds have long split. Walking this path in hot August I'd have heard the popping of pods, small rain of seeds.
November 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Furred for winter, the broom seeds have long split. Walking this path in hot August I'd have heard the popping of pods, small rain of seeds.
A marvellous moment of light on a bend in the lane, in Shropshire, in November.
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
A marvellous moment of light on a bend in the lane, in Shropshire, in November.
Exploring today around Wentnor, one of those places at the back of the north wind. Sadly we couldn't act on the advice on the wall, the Crown was shut till later on.
November 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Exploring today around Wentnor, one of those places at the back of the north wind. Sadly we couldn't act on the advice on the wall, the Crown was shut till later on.
Yesterday Jill Impey and Andrew Howe and me wrestled the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet down from @shrewsburylibrary.bsky.social to Shropshire Archives - thanks all the helpful staff at both ends! The Archives is open every Thursday and the Cabinet is there till 5 Dec!
November 4, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Yesterday Jill Impey and Andrew Howe and me wrestled the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet down from @shrewsburylibrary.bsky.social to Shropshire Archives - thanks all the helpful staff at both ends! The Archives is open every Thursday and the Cabinet is there till 5 Dec!
The Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet is still in Shrewsbury Library tomorrow - but next week it moves to Shropshire Archives, which is open on Thursdays. It'll be in the Archives until 5 December.
Hey! Earthlings! has been working since May to share Shropshire with people who have moved across borders.
Hey! Earthlings! has been working since May to share Shropshire with people who have moved across borders.
October 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet is still in Shrewsbury Library tomorrow - but next week it moves to Shropshire Archives, which is open on Thursdays. It'll be in the Archives until 5 December.
Hey! Earthlings! has been working since May to share Shropshire with people who have moved across borders.
Hey! Earthlings! has been working since May to share Shropshire with people who have moved across borders.
The cold clay face of Hallowe'en.
October 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The cold clay face of Hallowe'en.
October 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Chandeliers and cherubs. In rain, shop window, Hay on Wye.
October 21, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Chandeliers and cherubs. In rain, shop window, Hay on Wye.
Medieval tiles, pre-Norman font and a castellated tower. Once, they could light a beacon fire up there. Old Radnor on the border.
October 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Medieval tiles, pre-Norman font and a castellated tower. Once, they could light a beacon fire up there. Old Radnor on the border.
My poem on @inksweatandtears.co.uk yesterday - thank you kind editors!
This is one in a series of poems I wrote in Latvia last year, wanting to give voice to the brave and resourceful Celia Fiennes, whose own work remained unpublished for 200+ years.
This is one in a series of poems I wrote in Latvia last year, wanting to give voice to the brave and resourceful Celia Fiennes, whose own work remained unpublished for 200+ years.
October 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
My poem on @inksweatandtears.co.uk yesterday - thank you kind editors!
This is one in a series of poems I wrote in Latvia last year, wanting to give voice to the brave and resourceful Celia Fiennes, whose own work remained unpublished for 200+ years.
This is one in a series of poems I wrote in Latvia last year, wanting to give voice to the brave and resourceful Celia Fiennes, whose own work remained unpublished for 200+ years.
Pumpkin day in Ventspils, Latvia, last year. Also covetable pumpkin boots.
October 19, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Pumpkin day in Ventspils, Latvia, last year. Also covetable pumpkin boots.
Leaves in Latvia, a year ago.
October 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Leaves in Latvia, a year ago.
I feel this bus stop, which consists of a rusting pole, a bin, and a broken-off bus stop sign - pretty much expresses the state of British bus travel.
(Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury).
Mind you, a tatty, rusting bus turned up and I got on.
(Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury).
Mind you, a tatty, rusting bus turned up and I got on.
October 19, 2025 at 7:10 AM
I feel this bus stop, which consists of a rusting pole, a bin, and a broken-off bus stop sign - pretty much expresses the state of British bus travel.
(Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury).
Mind you, a tatty, rusting bus turned up and I got on.
(Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury).
Mind you, a tatty, rusting bus turned up and I got on.
Leaf rustle. A robin.
October 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Leaf rustle. A robin.
Look up an oak.
Acorns underfoot.
Acorns underfoot.
October 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Look up an oak.
Acorns underfoot.
Acorns underfoot.
The little garden brightening a dim October.
October 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The little garden brightening a dim October.
The corrugations of water shimmer in a broken gutter under the Ragleth.
#shropshire
#shropshire
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
The corrugations of water shimmer in a broken gutter under the Ragleth.
#shropshire
#shropshire
Signs of Shrewsbury, various and mysterious.
October 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Signs of Shrewsbury, various and mysterious.
A glimpse of the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet, now in Shrewsbury Library till 1 November. A project that's been all about welcomes, multiculturalism, local heritage and art.
October 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM
A glimpse of the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet, now in Shrewsbury Library till 1 November. A project that's been all about welcomes, multiculturalism, local heritage and art.
A whole summer's workshop days are over, and we held a wonderful Celebration event for the Hey! Earthlings! project, along with lots of people who'd participated, plus supportive audience. PLEASE DO come and visit the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet in Shrewsbury Library until the end of October.
October 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A whole summer's workshop days are over, and we held a wonderful Celebration event for the Hey! Earthlings! project, along with lots of people who'd participated, plus supportive audience. PLEASE DO come and visit the Hey! Earthlings! Cabinet in Shrewsbury Library until the end of October.
October brings overnight mushrooms.
October 8, 2025 at 12:03 PM
October brings overnight mushrooms.
Mast year, our boots grinding a bushel of acorns in the woods.
October 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Mast year, our boots grinding a bushel of acorns in the woods.
October ploughland, skywards.
October 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
October ploughland, skywards.
September 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
In Shrewsbury, in a fortnight!
September 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
In Shrewsbury, in a fortnight!