iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I loved living at my own edge as an explorer on a ship presses to the ocean's rim; mind and skin joined. I did things in a rapture. Annie Dillard

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The first rejection of my chapbook Gili Chiriklay - Song Birds. After 5 years writing prose i feel lucky the poetry has returned in a dream about a flock of magpies landing in my psyche. Their beaks crammed with word treasures & nesting in my Romani ancestors songs, chirping words onto the page.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Delighted my essay Esmeralda ‘Seen and Unseen’ through a feminist lens is accepted for ‘Everywhere is Her Altar’ anthology of North American Romani writers. There’s 27 of us featured. Launch is May 15, 2027.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Canadian Romani Alliance is honoured to celebrate the life, work, and enduring legacy by establishing the Ronald Lee Scholarship—an investment in the next generation of Canadian Roma as they pursue their educational and career dreams. Please make a donation. www.gofundme.com/f/ronald-lee...

gofundme.com

Donate to Ronald Lee Scholarship for Canadian Roma Youth, organized by Gina Csanyi-Robah

Please help us support Five Canadian Romani Students heading to colle… Gina Csanyi-Robah needs your support for Ronald Lee Scholarship for Canadian Roma Youth

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Done, done and done. Edits completed on my AKekoi memoir. Edits completed on my Esmeralda essay. Gili Chiriklay / Bird Songs chapbook manuscript submitted. All done in one week. Oh and I’m 81. Ha!

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

When Roma were in Auschwitz concentration camp, they sang to the birds. WiP. One lone magpie mourns the dead. While prisoners sing songs to the bird, its song is wordless. The song is holding together stories of earth and sky, with messages to those tortured bodies of brave Roma/Gypsy souls.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Writing this book took five years to write and two years to publish. At aged 81 it’s probably my last full length book. Yet it’s the story of a full life written with reflection, Welsh Gypsy folklore and the seeking of justice for we Romani. Book releases in Spring 2027 by Guernica Editions.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

We Roma are here for each other. Our literary output in Canada is down to three writers. Ron Lee was the first to tell our story, Lynn Hutchinson Lee and I follow him. We’re looking to hand over the torch to the next generation of Canadian Roma, hence the scholarship in honour of Ron.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

On 2 August 1944, the last 4,300 Roma and Sinti at Auschwitz were gassed to death. More than 500,000 Roma and Sinti were killed in the Pharraijmos - the Roma Holocaust. Holocaust Remembrance Day, August 2nd. A poem from my book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Delighted. Thankyou. “I read Parramisha and for myself genuinely captivated by your powerful celebration of Romani identity and heritage. Your evocative poetry beautifully challenges long-held stereotypes while giving voice to culture, history, and lived experience with authenticity and grace.”

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

My genealogist friend tells me he’s inundated with requests from Americans looking to prove their Canadian ancestry. Likely to get them into Canada.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Featured in “Resilience on the Move: Roma People in Canada” exhibition at Pier 21, Halifax: artwork by @ildikonova-art.bsky.social album cover by jazz pianist, Robi Botos and my book, Parramisha.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

International Romani Day. Books by Roma writers. On the shelves at New Providence Library NJ. @blueskybooks.bsky.social

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Baxtahlo Yaurengo. Happy Easter in Veshengay Kaulay chib. The Welsh Kale dialect of my Wood Gypsy family.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

“This book is written by a crone. a younger woman couldn’t write it.” A comment during Roma Words. Roma World. book group reading and discussion of my book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection. Thank you.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

May the Fool enlighten and delight your life with scrumptious surprises, cheerful changes and awesome adventures. May you dance with the Divine. Signed Fool for love.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Please join me for #Roma Words Roma Worlds, a reading and discussion of my book Parramisha set in my Welsh Gypsy ancestors lives and stories of #TeuluAbramWood and #Welshkaleheritage. That’s on April 2nd. To register go to: newprovidence.librarycalendar.com/event/roma-wor…

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Please join me for a reading and discussion of my poetry Anthology, Parramisha about my Roma Welsh Kale. That’s on April 2nd at 7.00pm EST. To register for the zoom link: newprovidence.librarycalendar.com/event/roma-w...

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Thank you, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture - ERIAC. I am now accepted as a member of an arts organization that is "built as a home for Roma creativity and talent — a symbol of the power and potential of our community, and a space to reimagine our collective future." Chuffed.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Confession. When travelling, meeting and dining with Americans we talk about Cuba and how wonderful are the Cubans, while in crowded elevators we speak in French Canadian🇨🇦. I also wear my Cuba baseball cap and watch people’s faces. I know. I’m such a piss taker. It gives this grandma a wee smile.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Chuffed. My book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection is now on the book shelves at The Canadian Museum of Immigration for the upcoming Roma Migration to Canada Exhibit. Other libraries are National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales and the library at the Canadian Embassy in London, UK.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

In Wuthering Heights, Heathcliffe is described as a “dark skinned Gypsy, in aspect” and a “black haired child”by Mrs. Earnshaw. While Hindley, Mrs. Linton, Joseph and Edgar othered him. One of the few #Roma characters in English Lit is erased & written out of history & again exploited in the movie.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Harrumph! I’ve been invited to Harvard University in Boston. However, as an activist of 50+ years, a filmmaker about human rights and a Roma/Gypsy author, I have declined to cross the Canadian border into the US, risking aggressive questioning or worse detainment by Homeland Security.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Remembering the victims of the Roma Holocaust on January 27th. Welsh Rom Manfri Frederick Wood, our familya, part of the relief of Bergen-Belsen said: "When I saw the surviving Romanies, I was shaken. Then I saw the half-charred body of a girl. In one awful minute I saw what had been going on.”

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Honouring the Old Ones who spoke our Welsh Gypsy language with a recording of my ancestor Manfri Wood. He lived in Bala, North Wales on the lake and is talking about fishing.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

A lifetime as an activist, Roma poet, writer and filmmaker for human rights, I’m grateful for membership into PEN Roma through the valiant efforts of ERIAC - European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture. PEN Roma's membership of PEN International promotes literature and freedom of expression.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Chuffed that my #Roma poetry collection, ‘Parramisha’ is slated for discussion by Roma Words Roma Worlds Book Group at New Providence’s (NJ) Library in April 2026. Happy that after five years my book has found its place on a library shelf and will be shared by 60 affiliated libraries.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

In conversation with a genealogist friend who’s getting three inquires a week from Americans seeking facts about any Canadian bloodlines. Presumably to facilitate possible residency in Canada. 🇨🇦

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Twice now when reading manuscripts AI prompts and nudges, req if I would like it “simplified”. No. I prefer to linger and savour the beauty and gorgeousness of the writing of someone who has contemplated every single word in the creation of their ms. Can i block AI on Word and .pdf?

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Takes deep breath. I’ve been invited to represent my Welsh Kale Romani/Gypsy tribe at a Roma Nation meeting. The foundation of which is seeking representation of all Roma at the United Nations #TeuluAbramWood #WelshKaleHeritag #Romahistory

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Two Roma authors meet in Toronto for a kushti lunch to discuss many possible collaborations. #LynnHutchisonLee

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

@madelinepotter.bsky.social Introducing #LynnHutchisonLee Roma author of speculative fiction and artist. She’s also into the horror genre.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Sitting in on ERIAC conference that respects, honours and cares about Romani language and identity. Welsh Kale is invited and represented on a transnational basis.

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Reposted by Frances Roberts Reilly

ivory1.bsky.social @ivory1.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Always recommend Canadian author @authormiriamtoews.bsky.social's novels. The L.A. Times called this one the "Ted Lasso of novels". #AlphabetChallenge #WeekPForPink #BookSky. 📚🍁

Photo of the cover of Fight Night. The title is in bright pink lettering on a dark purple background. The author's name is in mustard yellow.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

80th birthday photoshoot for my book cover and upcoming appearances at readings, storytelling and spoken word.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Inspired by Mozart’s pet starling whose song he used for piano concerto 21. So for my next book about birds & #Roma nomads, I’m downloading bird songs to transpose onto my harp, putting words & music together. Well, guess what? The birds are appearing and I’ve already sketched out four new poems.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

My article “A People Uncounted” about the Harvard University study of Canadian Roma is now live online. Mentions: Travellers’ Times LynnHutchisonLee.bay.social www.travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2025/09...

travellerstimes.org.uk

Canadian Roma: A People Uncounted

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Travellers' Times feature on my Poetry Wales Award Winning poem - Ils/Eels for Tea. Written in English & Welsh Kale Romanes, respecting Harry Turpin Wood, fisherman & rabbit catcher. "For a Welsh Romani poet, this national award in Wales is a rare honour." www.travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2023/11...

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Light of Iris. Georgia O’Keeffe. Graces my bedroom wall.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

#internationalowlawarenessday In Welsh Kale Gypsy folklore the owl is a warning. Merimasko cheriklo - death bird, screech owl Nomadic people used bird calls to warn of approaching danger. On a dark night the hoot of an owl followed by a whistle warned of a necessary river crossing. #TeuluAbramWood

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Picking up my harp playing after a year long heart condition that required surgery. Getting back into my scales, arpeggio’s and my ancestor’s #Roma Welsh Gypsy jigs and hornpipes; connecting my poetry in songwriting. #TeuluAbramWood #WelshKaleHeritage

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Reposted by Frances Roberts Reilly

Madeline Potter @madelinepotter.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Today is Samudaripen (Romani Holocaust) Remembrance Day. Today we remember and honour all the Roma and Sinti who perished targeted by the Nazis. Never forgotten.

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Frances Roberts Reilly @francespoesis.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Fun when my gay step son asks me to share my skin care products with him or comments on my dress made of Italian silk. But he was assaulted and injured two weeks ago and i’ll never get over the risks and fears for his safety. Sigh.

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