iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

This is lovely to hear @markantonyowen.com - honestly, I am in awe of all you do to champion so many poets, and alongside your own writing (and can only imagine the hours it takes to achieve this). iamb is a rich and beautiful site.

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such a lovely thing to say...and likewise! x

Thank you so much for sharing this x

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So sorry to hear this, S. I wonder if this is about 'the poetry world' or poetry, perhaps both. I certainly feel in a more retreat sort of place at the moment, but hoping to get back some poetry love in a quieter head.

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A joy to be part of the upcoming wave twenty-seven, and amongst so many lovely folk. With big thanks and awe-for-all-the-care-and-diligence to @markantonyowen.com

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So glad we are iamb neighbours - looking forward to reading and hearing your poems! x

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Some workshop confusion yesterday when I thought what was being discussed was ‘writing from the gnome’. #writingfromtheknown

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

They do seem magical, don’t they - these beautiful metal colours 💚

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Lovely to have two poems in Issue 30 of Lighthouse - the #Neurodivergent Issue. This is one of them.

Photo of a poem by Em Gray titled 'What a silent disco is and isn't', that reads;

There have to be headphones, the
claiming of funtime space like a
pub garden or low tide beyond the
shingle - glow sticks ideally), an
allegiance to the beat. Passersby
should know just by looking when
the track drops, and feel plaintive
(how it is to watch gladness from
an unlit street). What it can not be
is the sound inside your head -
confusing your block for the set
of a musical in which you are the only
dancer.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Lovely to spend time with the wave twenty-six poets' poems - so many gems!

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Thank you so much, Sarah xx

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Delighted that my #poem 'some people' is this issue of @mslexia.bsky.social 's Poet Laureate poem, inspired by Aloka the dog and the monks' walk through the US earlier this year. And what a beautiful cover!

Photo of Mslexia, issue 110, open on a poem called 'some people' by Em Gray, that reads;

so these guys are doing a big long caterpillar walk with a dog with a heart on his forehead like a memo & the guys all wear orange like homies & some have bare feet so people bring boots to make them more normal & some people by the road are sick & the guys do healing or you get a free bracelet & the leader is the hot one & he has all these badges from cops of stars & guns & the guys are like wizards but they don't try to change you not even the man who revved his truck & made them cough & they sleep on the floor & say stuff about being happy but they mostly don't speak & no one knew about the walk but now people push with their phones & their crying & some people shout & some people wave flags & some people bring cookies & flowers

Photo of the cover of Mslexia, issue 110 featuring a collage by Julia McKenzie of swallows flying from a circle of map, with various flight path arrows in bright colours. The swallows have maps incorporated into their feathers.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I know what you mean - and I think our brains are made to hear criticism much more loudly unfortunately. It's strange the arena in which views are expressed - as if they won't reach those they refer to. I'm sorry you've had this crappy comment.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Oh no, understandable rankled feelings. Having not looked 'too deeply' her opinion sounds limited. I hope the voices of all those who have loved your work feel much louder.

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

hee hee, so many errant animals!

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

My poem 'Night Maths' is published today on the new Grasshopper Poetry site. Wishing the Grasshopper team the best springy green legs in their beginnings! www.grasshopperpoetry.co.uk/poetry/night...

Screenshot of a poem titled 'Night Maths' on a salmon coloured background from Grasshopper Poetry's site. The poem reads:

You text two kisses
to my words and moon and three.
My three are lowercase
and one of yours is a capital X
which might make it equal
to two small kisses
in the calculations of affection.

Oh, I would rather no kisses –
how tyrannous they are,
like the meting out of candy;
here, you may have one marshmallow
(because, today, I love you less).
Tomorrow, perhaps, a pillow of sweetness
(think about what you've done).

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Found some exciting books by the bins. Here are some of their more and less proficient illustrations. I especially love the 'wild cat' from behind, as if only ever glimpsed leaving.

Stone Circle Review @stonecirclereview.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Reposted by Em Gray

“When you want to see something clearly, do not shine too much light on it, do not exile all the shadows from its surface. Our duty—when faced with a true mystery—is not to explain it but to deepen it, to transform it into a greater mystery.” -- Lucian Blaga

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Thank you! This is lovely to hear.

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

My #poem 'Slow' and accompanying interview are in Modron magazine today, amongst lovely company, including a thoughtful and timely editorial. modronmagazine.com/more-than-hu...

Poem by Em Gray titled 'Slow', that reads;

The sloth is standing like a toddler imploring to be held.
A man lifts her from her armpits.

It takes some scrolling through the hearts and bless yous
to learn this arms-up stance is to appear larger

and to communicate STEP BACK
(if one so round-faced and mossy were permitted to yell).

There's debate as to where the sloth was heading –
if she had, in fact, come from the verge where she's been placed,

and if, before this intervention, the aisle of that late-sunned track
was just where she needed to be.

It is difficult for some to relate
to such a creeping peristalsis,

to one for whom the world so vertiginously spins
her toes have evolved to hold on –

she who would not answer, busy
but sing of clouds, the slow piñatas of figs.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Thank you so much dear Sarah! x

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Thinking there should be a world day of 'finding a #poet on social media and sending them a message of gratitude and appreciation for a poem they have written'. I have many in mind, and have only told a few.

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

I have a new sad and angry #poem with Black Iris Poetry's 'poetry of breaking news' on instagram today, in response to the UK's possible plan to confiscate jewellery and other belongings from asylum seekers to pay for 'processing costs'. www.instagram.com/p/DRmfvV6jZwd/

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Reposted by Em Gray

Sarah Doyle @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

This took courage, and makes me feel very vulnerable, but here I share some insights into how the recent Laika situation played out for me – along with a plea for more compassionate social media engagement. We need reflection, not retribution. www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/... If useful: archive.is

thetimes.com

I was the other poet in the Len Pennie row: here’s my story

Sarah Doyle’s poem Laika won high praise but when she queried similarities to it with the poem Good Girl she was caught up in a storm of accusation, denial and online vitriol

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

I so love Poppy Cockburn's poem from @perversemag.bsky.social - the cheery last line (like 'how are you?'/ 'Good thanks' exchanges when this isn't how one is feeling) versus the longing (I think?) of what precedes. I never watched Twin Peaks, but don't feel I needed to for this poem to resonate.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Thank you so much for sharing this, Corinna! ❤️

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Failing that, I would accept as much flexibility

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Lovely to have my lightbulb #poem out in the world today. Thank you, @perversemag.bsky.social 💡. Do check out the issue, and the archive - lots of gems.

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I'd heard of a rare #squirrel a couple of times on local Facebook groups...and found him today - isn't he beautiful!

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Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

ah fantastic news! Congratulations - hope there was a little mossy celebratory dance 💚

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Thank you so much to you both for choosing UFO - and to @hollyannepoet.bsky.social for the spelling keen eye, and your patient emails 💚

Em Gray @em-words.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

I feel there's a poem here :-)