Mike O’Brien
@zoomburst.substack.com
Sixty odd years old. Running the Sixty Odd Press and a proud member of the Promote Indie Lit network
zoomburst.substack.com sixtyoddpoets.substack.com promoteindielit.com
zoomburst.substack.com sixtyoddpoets.substack.com promoteindielit.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Two #poetry book reviews and a speculative fiction review into the bargain. Ohh - and there are a couple of actual #poems in there too. featuring Lois Lane and a broken mug.
You could stop scrolling and read for a few minutes 😘
#60Odd
You could stop scrolling and read for a few minutes 😘
#60Odd
What I've Been Reading 2
Three recently published independent publications which are well worth spending some time with.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 AM
What do you think? Are we due a deathbed confession from Billy? @nickclay.bsky.social
Ah, 9 November – a sad one, this: 59th anniversary of the day Paul McCartney died, forcing the other Beatles to replace him with an orphan they had trained to impersonate him, and then (obviously) put clues in songs and on album covers so people could find out anyway
November 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
What do you think? Are we due a deathbed confession from Billy? @nickclay.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 9:09 AM
What could be better than some Ted Hughes on a crisp November Mexborough Morning? Probably not an article by me rattling on about #TedHughes. Then again, I also mention #RayBradbury, giving a link to a radio dramatisation of one of his plays, and add a piece of my own #poetry. its not all bad.
53. One for Ted
...being a birthday celebration, to which Ted Hughes and Ray Bradbury are both invited.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 AM
What could be better than some Ted Hughes on a crisp November Mexborough Morning? Probably not an article by me rattling on about #TedHughes. Then again, I also mention #RayBradbury, giving a link to a radio dramatisation of one of his plays, and add a piece of my own #poetry. its not all bad.
I laid a wreath at a local remembrance service last year. It was an interesting experience.
Are the Flags the Problem?
Remembrance Sunday.
medium.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I laid a wreath at a local remembrance service last year. It was an interesting experience.
Very active in the Poetry Scene in and around North Lincolnshire, Amy Garratt writes honest heartfelt #poetry. Her feature on #SixtyOdd poets last year was really well received.
42. Amy Garratt
Spoken word poetry host and performer, writing on themes including mental health and creativity.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
In the run up to #RemembranceSunday, have a look at some of the #poetry of #EdwardThomas. Killed in action at the battle of Arras, 1917
2.48 This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong
Edward Thomas, love of your country and standing with both the best and the meanest of your compatriots.
zoomburst.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In the run up to #RemembranceSunday, have a look at some of the #poetry of #EdwardThomas. Killed in action at the battle of Arras, 1917
With #poetry on topics as diverse as trees, stamp collecting and becoming a satsuma, Peter Fereday becomes the 86th poet to be admitted to the Order of the #SixtyOdd. A worthy addition to its ranks.
86. Peter Fereday
Guitar playing poet who is also a chorister.
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Thanks for the recommendation @matthewepaul.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Thanks for the recommendation @matthewepaul.bsky.social
“Write like there’s nobody reading” just one of many interesting ideas in this fascinating interview.
Thank you so much @littlethoughtspress.com for my interview! I have loved being part of the LTP experience! #poetry #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren www.littlethoughtspress.com/post/intervi...
Interview: Rachel Burrows
Rachel Burrows and her stories grew up in Wales though she now lives near Stonehenge with her family and dog, Fennel. Her children’s poems can be found in The Dirigible Balloon, Tyger Tyger, The Toy, ...
www.littlethoughtspress.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“Write like there’s nobody reading” just one of many interesting ideas in this fascinating interview.
October 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
More school based #poetry from me. I can't decide whether I was traumatised or invigorated by my #education. Perhaps a little bit of both. Come to think of it, I have the same feelings about my career in teaching. Thankfully my classroom experiences are all in the past now.
52. The Headmaster
...being further reminiscences of schooldays in the bygone era that was my youth
zoomburst.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
More school based #poetry from me. I can't decide whether I was traumatised or invigorated by my #education. Perhaps a little bit of both. Come to think of it, I have the same feelings about my career in teaching. Thankfully my classroom experiences are all in the past now.
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
October 2025 Poetry Reading with Glenn Lyvers.
(as usual, I've set it to play my section, but do listen to everyone)
#poem #poetry #skypoets #blueskypoetry #poetsofbluesky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetryreading #prolificpress #glennlyvers
(as usual, I've set it to play my section, but do listen to everyone)
#poem #poetry #skypoets #blueskypoetry #poetsofbluesky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetryreading #prolificpress #glennlyvers
October 2025 Poetry Reading with Glenn Lyvers and some of the world's finest living poets.
YouTube video by Glenn Lyvers
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
October 2025 Poetry Reading with Glenn Lyvers.
(as usual, I've set it to play my section, but do listen to everyone)
#poem #poetry #skypoets #blueskypoetry #poetsofbluesky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetryreading #prolificpress #glennlyvers
(as usual, I've set it to play my section, but do listen to everyone)
#poem #poetry #skypoets #blueskypoetry #poetsofbluesky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poetryreading #prolificpress #glennlyvers
Here's a small selection of the #poetry of Dick Jones. Six well crafted pieces, including one about Jazz Saxophonist #TubbyHayes
41. Dick Jones
Creator and translator of poetry and accomplished musician
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Here's a small selection of the #poetry of Dick Jones. Six well crafted pieces, including one about Jazz Saxophonist #TubbyHayes
Reposted by Mike O’Brien
Whilst looking for some ghost #poetry as #halloween approaches. I discovered the marvellously named Fredegond Shove, and the religious aftermath of World War One, through her poem The New Ghost. The more I read, the more I loved it. And her uncle, Ralph Vaughan Williams, set it to music too.
2.47 The New Ghost
Fredegond Shove, an incredible name, and an incredible family.
zoomburst.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Whilst looking for some ghost #poetry as #halloween approaches. I discovered the marvellously named Fredegond Shove, and the religious aftermath of World War One, through her poem The New Ghost. The more I read, the more I loved it. And her uncle, Ralph Vaughan Williams, set it to music too.
All Hallows Eve
Some seasonal ghostly poetry from subscribers to Sixty Odd Poets
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
October 24, 2025 at 9:23 AM
A very moving piece of #poetry. The fact that it features both a father and music ticks a couple of important boxes for me. Love it!
A poem in progress
October 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A very moving piece of #poetry. The fact that it features both a father and music ticks a couple of important boxes for me. Love it!
Beth writes superb #poetry, and the three in this journal are brilliant!
Do have a read and let me know what you think
flightofthedragonfly.com/wp-content/u.... I have work in this.
October 23, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Beth writes superb #poetry, and the three in this journal are brilliant!
Old schoolteachers are quite a theme in my #poetry. I don't often set out to write a schoolteacher piece, but I often end up with one. Probably stems from some deep seated desire to have never grown up. Have a read. Play shrink if you want to.
51. Butterflies
...being a reminiscence of schooldays and some of the teachers of my early youth
zoomburst.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Old schoolteachers are quite a theme in my #poetry. I don't often set out to write a schoolteacher piece, but I often end up with one. Probably stems from some deep seated desire to have never grown up. Have a read. Play shrink if you want to.
Ohh crikey! He’s right!
October 23, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Ohh crikey! He’s right!
My recent visit to the Colony Room Green in Mayfair to read along with The Poets of Esnoid was masterminded by David Hutchinson. David also read that night, and here is a link to some of his excellent #poetry on #SixtyOdd.
40. David Hutchinson
Multi-talented purveyor of poetry and champion of the arts
sixtyoddpoets.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:17 AM