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Bruise

@bbruise.bsky.social
3.4K followers 3.5K following 1K posts

Let's write a better future. “Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently." Rosa Luxembourg linktr.ee/BenBruges

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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Check out the edition here!
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Many thanks to @thelakepoetry.bsky.social for publishing my poem 'Bone Stories'. Bone Stories (Capela dos Ossos, Evora, Portugal) After worms and soil of decay had done their cleansing best, skeletons and skulls were stacked... www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/poetry/ben-b...
thelakepoetry.co.uk
The Lake - contemporary poetry webzine - Ben Bruges
New page
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
I have a feeling I'm on some kind of list to be blocked. It would be nice if those maintaining the list or any of those following it would tell me their reason for blocking me. I won't hold my breath. The only reason I know, is because there's a @listifications.app that monitors.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
And, yes, it was evidently a false flag operation. Your point? (For the record I'm not a Green Party member)
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Do you like ghost stories? How about ghost poems? substack.com/@benbruges/p...
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Lynne #TaxTheRich #WelfareNotWarfare. Eco-Socialist. Pro-🇵🇸 @bebsdotteragain.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
This explains it all really…
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Thank you, it's really good to make some connection. You may like this one as well. open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
For the Grieving
A poem to help heal
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
A new poem for anyone who has had a loved one pass away.
the title of the poem plus an image of candles
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
My poem needs someone to read it! And, while you're there, subscribe to my Substack? open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
A Tissue of Lies
How secure do you feel? A question posed by this poem.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Do you need a beta reader? open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...?
open.substack.com
Do you need a Beta Reader?
Suggestion and an offer
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Kevin the Librarian 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 @the-librarian.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Sums it up.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
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HASTINGS PEOPLE’S PARTY @hastingspeople.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Vicky Wilson is going to stand as an independent candidate in May, supported by Hastings Peoples Party, starting with a community meeting to ask - should she stand? will the attendees help get her elected? www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-will-s...
Photo of Vicky Wilson campaigning for her housing support group
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Did you watch Dirty Business? I can't believe how much water companies have gotten away with. They're putting profit before public health - it’s a scandal and the Government MUST take action! Sick of sewage? Add your name to the petition today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/en...
you.38degrees.org.uk
End the sewage pollution scandal
We're sick of it. Sick of the lies, sick of the greed, and sick of a system rigged against us. This is a scandal and this dirty business must end. For more than 30 years water companies have put corpo...
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Roundabout - a poem about addiction and generation loops open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
Roundabout
A poem about addiction and generational loops
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HASTINGS PEOPLE’S PARTY @hastingspeople.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Hastings Housing Rebellion have occupied a family house to prevent private company Southern Housing from selling it off to the private market. Southern acquired the house with a covenant that they had to keep it for rented affordable accommodation. Please sign c.org/c2HSYmcbcv
c.org
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Southern Housing - stop selling off our social housing
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Thank you for the reading 3 times. That made my week! I completely see what you mean about short story or flash. Maybe I'll develop it that way one day. Many thanks for the response. As you say, it would be great if we all commented more on each other's writing.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Why is engagement on Bluesky so low?! There are very many people following very many people, but there appears to be very little debate or exchange of ideas going on. Do you have any idea why that might be? I want to engage with a poetry audience who are up for challenging poetry. Any suggestions?
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A new poem published by the delightful people at @ausauthora.bsky.social - I think of it as modern myth-making. See if it resonates with you?
open.substack.com
Sharon's Mouthful
Modern myth-making in this newly published poem
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HASTINGS PEOPLE’S PARTY @hastingspeople.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
FILM NIGHT - to inspire and organise! Join Hastings People's Party for a community film night or short films and discussion, with contributions from local housing activists. Wednesday 11 February / 7pm / Quaker Meeting House, 5 South Terrace, Hastings
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
New poem published on new Substack. Read or read and follow. I've included an audio recording as well. open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
Talking English
Are you interested in the meanings encoded in language?
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I just published Reading poetry medium.com/p/reading-po...
medium.com
Reading poetry
I thought you might like to hear me read some of my poems. I wanted to keep it simple — a short introduction and then the poem. Recorded…
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Excuse the bloody photo. You might like the poem that goes with it and the collection of poems that are available in a downloadable PDF. Enjoy! (And subscribe) From lovely people @thebrokenspine.co.uk open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
'A Goring of Butchers'
A poem published in a downloadable PDF
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Frederick Speers @frederickspeers.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Impeach. Convict. Remove. Now.
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𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕜 𝔸𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕪 𝕆𝕨𝕖𝕟 @markantonyowen.com · 03/01/2026
Give it another hour or so, and it'll be a year exactly since a WhatsApp message from my sister informed me that our father had died. Speaking of WhatsApp, here's a poem about my (largely textual) relationship with my dad, written roughly 14 months before he passed.
My father chooses disappearing messages

As if he wants me to forget him,
even while he’s here. And I wonder,
does this newfound need for erasure
grow from his indelible cancer?

I’m watching as our chat balloons burst:
disperse, like so much digital air,
into that vast, virtual ocean.
All our jokes and his stoicism,

all his uncrematable fears – gone.
Like he means to leave no trace of him.
Like he hopes this buys him indulgence.
Like no setting holds any meaning.
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Victoria Spires @victoriaspires.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Happy new year.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
HNY via Samuel Beckett
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Are you interested in a free PDF of poetry to download? How about the latest edition of Harrow House Journal? substack.com/@benbruges/n... And also my new Substack account to follow.
substack.com
Poetry by Ben Bruges (@benbruges)
Are you interested in a free PDF of poetry to download? How about the latest edition of Harrow House Journal? “Harrow House was born of a desire to create a healing space for poets to share works cen...
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Sandra Marchetti @sandrapoetry.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
It is an honor to have two new hyper vulnerable poems in the latest issue of SALAMANDER, a journal I’ve been trying to burrow into for a decade. If you need your Bell Jar fix, want to hear about my study abroad to France 20 years ago, or want a splitter explained, read these!
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Wonderful. I've had one read of the poems, and will save them for further reads. Thank you for sharing and congratulations.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Walking down from the coastal path into Tenby, and came across this blue plaque. I thought I'd share.
Blue plaque: Dylan Thomas read the final version of Under Milk Wood here.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Congratulations!
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Armin T. Wegner @coldmorningcoffee.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
If there was a justified humanitarian Zionist movement, it has mutated now into a monster. Perhaps ISIS began by feeding the poor. Perhaps the swastika used to mean "good luck" in Sanskrit but not today. Those who continue to describe themselves as Zionists are ignorant or guilty by association.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
#poetry #WritingCommunity #writers #writing #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky #readapoem #BookSky #aloadofpoets #poemsabout #PoetTown #HastingsPoets
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Attempting to start a Substack for my poetry. Please subscribe or follow. open.substack.com/pub/benbruge...
open.substack.com
Abraham's Children
Maybe attempting to create hope is a revolutionary activity?
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Jessica Edmond @genesis-pearl.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
I write for my pain to breathe. #healingjourney #writing #poetry #writesky #survivor
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Lee Chottiner @leechott.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
My first poetry chapbook, "Talking to Irwin," should be published in 2026 by Kelsay Books. I will be posting about the publication date when available, where the book can be purchased, times and dates for a release event and (hopefully) readings in Louisville, Pittsburgh, and other venues.
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Bruise @bbruise.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
apologies - you can only read a third of the article.
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