Sean Patrick
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seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
Sean Patrick
@seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
330 followers 590 following 240 posts
Data scientist, poet, SF/F writer

Dr./they/them
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seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
a cloud of mayflies
dancing in the setting sun
the lake, a mirror
Photograph. Streaky white clouds and blue sky are reflected on the mirror-still surface of a lake. To the center right of the image, the sun is beginning to set, illuminating the horizon in yellow. A rocky shore fills the lower right quadrant of the image.
August 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM
seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
Text. "coffin nail" the remnants of a cigarette rest where you left them – ashes spent on lacquered clay – the acrid scent of you has gone, but its residue remains. a craving, simple, unadorned – ignited in a flash of lust – released in just a few short drags, but never good enough to last; and over far too fast. cigarettes and cigarettes lay stifled on the bedside tray, intoxicating fuel all spent – action, passion, tension, burned – and none of it could stay. they come in twenties, lined up by the pack – a slide of the thumb, and one’s been pulled – the taste of going numb. another pressed against my lips, a muffled thrill felt second-hand and for a second, simple bliss – then yellowed grief and thick regret, a coffin nail – a kiss.
July 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
I had to make up a word for this one - "innominy" - from the Latin "innominata" - forgive the self-indulgence :)
Text. "now let me leave behind the world" now let me leave behind the world and find some peace in hermitage; for all the world has found my sin and pushed its own way in. now let me leave behind the world and see what waits upon its edge; and all the world may wait for me in my newfound innominy. now let me leave behind the world and let it stay upon its course; for all the world will still careen without it being seen. now let me leave behind the world, though I know I will soon return; in all the world, there is no place that lies outside its face. now let me leave behind the world, someday, when I have had my fill; and all the world will fade away – until then, I will stay.
July 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
As a big Klimt fan, I agree with your assessment of The Kiss. Death and Life is another one that begs the viewer to make up their own mind about what's going on.
Painting by Gustav Klimt. "Death and Life" On the left, Death personified as a skeletal figure, with a body composed of black crosses. On the right, a clump of figures in various states: prominently, a mother and child at the top and two figures on the bottom bent over as if in grief.
July 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
seanpatrick.phd/2025/07/03/t...
Text block. "Two pieces of advice for a beginning poet" If you want to end with something timeless it’s best to start with something rhymeless: it’s assonance that wins the hearts of audiences far and wide, and poems, broken to their parts, must stand on merits un-defied; since rhymes have been by poets bent and come off overused and trite, this ancient token won’t be spent or be redeemed, try as you might. And if you want a poem that lasts, don’t elevate the shade it casts: the deepest darkness once was plumbed by Poe and Byron, bless their souls, and poetry has thus succumbed to millions who reprise their roles; for every ten immersed in pathos nine and a half write heartfelt dramas that dunk their readers in their bathos, whose words would fail to move their mamas. But if you want a poem that’s great, there’s little to ensure that fate; and if you can’t write something small, it’s better not to write at all.
July 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
seanpatrickphd.bsky.social
Screenshot of a 16-bit video game. Godzila in the city, with a text popup of a human saying "Go ahead and destroy the financial district, Godzilla. Make the people happy."
February 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM