iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Barely managing to squeeze in a poem before your month-long tenure ends, @andyperrincycling.bsky.social. Looks like it was an amazing run. Better late than never. #vss365 #prompt #arrive

The Akashic Archive

I arrive as I depart,
skin glistening and translucent
stretched and wrinkled, wet and red,
blooded from the goddess’ womb;
her mythic mouth open
to birth another life.

I am an ink blot on the page,
a dust mote on the shelf of light.
I drift on the crepuscular stream,
cosmic corpuscle illuminating
ancient spines.
Together, we are billions of beating hearts
forged in a cauldron of blood and stars.
Together, we turn the cosmic pages;
light falls in ciphers.

– Gayle J. Greenlea

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Delighted to share the glory with this week’s talented winners! Much gratitude to our brilliant mentor and editor @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social and all the poets who breathe life into this extraordinary community.

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kimdorman.bsky.social @kimdorman.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Jay Wright

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

As a dendrophile, I was sad to read that well-meaning lifesaving efforts hastened this patient’s demise. Given Robin Hood was nearest kin, I chose to meld the two deaths in my micro. Article in comments. Thx to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social #FragmentsFriday

Murder by Misadventure: Death of a Millenarian in Sherwood Forest

Too much bloodletting;
our medicine,
malpractice.
Lilliputian-buttresses
slowed your heartbeat,
mythophile-fandom,
the final sword.
You died
standing up.

– Gayle J. Greenlea

The ancient Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, associated with Robin Hood, shown with the metal and wooden supports that inadvertently contributed to its death, along with stabilizing cement and compacted earth from hundreds of years of pilgrims’ feet suffocating its roots. Sparsely green, the tree failed to leaf in Spring, and was declared dead.

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TizzyWoman @tizzywoman.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

"Barack, you gotta look at me." At the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a speech that brought the former president to tears. This is love. Love of husband, love of a president, love of a country.

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I think Obama's speech also implicitly urges Democrats to go bigger against Trump and MAGA. Small-bore politics and slogans about "affordability" aren't going to cut it. Obama was modeling a big argument for Dems: newrepublic.com/article/2121...

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

The genius of Obama's big speech is this: He effectively stated that Trump/MAGA do not accept the Declaration of Independence's promise of equality. In the battle over our 250th anniversary, we need to put that basic truth squarely on the agenda. New from me: newrepublic.com/article/2121...

newrepublic.com

Obama’s Harsh New Takedown of Trump Points to a World After MAGA

The 44th president’s library dedication speech was a powerful explication of liberal patriotism—and much-needed repudiation of the Trump/Vance fascist variant.

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Chen Chen @chenchenwrites.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

i think to be a writer you have to be stubborn, defiant, and at least a bit delusional. i mean, you have to believe—and keep believing—that you have something worth putting on the page. even just for yourself.

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Hello, Poets. For #FragmentsFriday, a small encomium for the poet Federico García Lorca, who fought fascism in Spain and was assassinated by firing squad for his opposition to Franco. Much gratitude, @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social and @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social.

¡Que viva el duende!

Flamenco in a graveyard,
dark counterpoise
to the bridegrooms of death.
Bullets
cannot pinion
the winged-heart.

– Gayle J. Greenlea

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

If you enjoy #fragmentsfriday and TopTweetTuesday please boost us by getting a copy of our latest anthology, ‘Shored Fragments…’ www.blackboughpoetry.com/shored-fragm...

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

3rd place Ashley Linkletter on #fragmentsfriday #poetry #writing #poet

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Ella B. Winters @ella-b-winters.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

What an honour to make it to the top of the podium in this week's #FragmentsFriday, and among such brilliant pieces!! Thank you so much, @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Compelling, hypnotic, emotional. “The tinfoil / crumple of the universe”. Every line grips me. Congratulations, Ashley!

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

G’day, Poets! A wee poem about an emperor of the Australian forest. Diolch to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social and @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social for hosting #FragmentsFriday.

Emergence

Years entombed, you uncage yourself,
whisky-winged fugitive bejeweled with amber eyes;
Emperor of the Eucalypts, your reign ephemeral.

– Gayle J. Greenlea

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Hello, Poets. I’m barely under the wire, but here’s a tiny poem for #fragmentsfriday. Diolch to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social and @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social.

Still Life

Whalebone blanches in sungaze;
last note of seasong,
land-bound.

- Gayle J. Greenlea

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

West Wing For All Mankind The Expanse Three Body Problem Game of Thrones Breaking Bad Better Call Saul Wire in the Blood Homeland Spooks Line of Duty The Killing Morning Show Newsroom Star Trek franchise Battlestar Galactica X-Files

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Worth the wait! “passing pain / or pleasure pixels”. Beautifully done.

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Ju (Julian) @hool415.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Hullo. This for another Top Tweet Tuesday cosmic themed 60 word challenge, having to avoid a whole list of banned predictable words. #poetry

An 8 Billion Cast Holds Outstretched A Single Spot-lit Yorick

Disinterred each month,
its slowly fattening-grin
fully-facing
when pocks bleed enough
to clot
then bandage clouds;
this bony-orb
marking our first step
into the wings
of inconsequence and/or oblivion;
some eyes must watch us:
non-heckling gods;
and beyond the overwhelming mass
of unsold seats…
from those spine-stiffening
furthest back
entirely usherless-stalls.

Julian Cason

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Andy Perrin @andyperrincycling.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

For this week’s #FragmentsFriday, Humanity, It Seems Thanks to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social with @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social for another stellar poetry outlet! Have a great day everyone! #Poetry #Micropoetry

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Ella B. Winters @ella-b-winters.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

For this #FragmentsFriday, a little one based in historical/scientific fact. Thanks for hosting, @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social!

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Pax Morrigan @paxmor.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Upon learning that our birds are actual living dinosaurs. #fragmentsfriday @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social

Holocene Park

Meteor-lashed, black rain
rasped world
ran out
of horizons.
They scanted; we crack
breakfast today.

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Helen Laycock @helenlaycock.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

To bring up a child from a stranger’s womb makes a very special #mother. This is my 18-word poem for #fragmentsfriday with thanks to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social #poetry #micropoetry #skypoets #poetsofbluesky #poetrychallenge #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers

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Anant Dhavale @anantdhavale.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

nostalgia is ache a prison of the mind we are hard-wired to be miserable through our knowing the ancients knew it, and offered symbols into the flowing river to let go of what we carry; what we perceive to be our ultimate reality. .Anant #vss365

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

For Black History Month, I cannot write about black sisters and brothers. Their voices are theirs and it’s crucial to hear them. But I can write as a white woman with mixed heritage. Please forgive the length. There’s a lot to apologize for. #vss365 #ache #poetry

$Apology My friends with black skin, I stand before you in my white ache, ashamed that chains of history thunderclap in your chests. I am soul-heavy for the ways my people betrayed you, exploited you, beat you, lynched you; wound you, still, with our words, actions, omissions; when we fail you as lawless cops savage black bodies, because racism burns like crosses under redneck skin; when they pull you over because they can, when they arrest you in your own neighborhoods and on your front lawns because, they say, you don’t belong. I am sorry my white skin is accomplice to institutions that harm you, halt your economic progress and access to the American dream: Tulsa burned to the ground with your successes; opportunity turned to ash, housing denied. I see your pride despite colossal obstacles strewn in your path, despite the pain and hatred we’ve heaped upon you. Your blood bears the beauty and resilience of the African continent: acacia-scented savannas and wetlands, veined rivers, wilded with sage. You’ve sown your strength into the foundations of America. You are backbone, conscience, wisdom. Shame on us when we forget. I am sorry for every black man who languishes in prison, every child crushed by adults who can’t see past melanin, who treat her like a criminal, who criticize his hair, who throw them out of school for minor infractions because whiteness fears black perseverance. You are survivors, indefatigable. You belong. I celebrate with you when another glass ceiling is broken, and you rise, like leaven in rich multigrain bread. I am sorry we did not welcome you as equals, yin to our yang, inseparable, free. We the People are incomplete, as long as a single link of your chains remain. I will remember, and I will work by your side to be a nation that deserves you. I will sing your anthems, if you let me, and together, we will shoulder the sky. – Gayle J. Greenlea$

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Rother Writes @rotherwrites.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

...and I thought this prompt was beyond me. A late clarity of mind saved the morning for #PoemsAbout #Mouths. I'll get back to you later today... @thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk #PoetsOnBluesky

Stream of Unconsciousness

After ‘Not I’, Samuel Beckett

constant flux ─ breathless febrile
jabbering ─ noise taste fear
spitting viper ─ hardly a breath

there’s confession but who’s talking

storytalking ─ dreamtalking
monochrome orphan of hunger
repulsion ─ breaking through
betrayal whispering ─ detached
bitter Id transgression

falling from a cliff edge
somewhere deep in the psyche

© Glenn Barker February 2026

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StrictlyChristo 🇺🇦🌻 @strictlychristo.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tells reporters the Epstein files contain allegations that President Trump raped and threatened to kill children.

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The Cathy Wilcox @cathywilcox.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

A heavily redacted cartoon. My @smh cartoon.

Single frame. Title: “[redacted]” A line of early teen? girls looking at the viewer. Behind them, silhouettes of four generic men, some with hand on shoulders of the girls, which have been through six iterations of redaction to satisfy the newspaper’s lawyers that none are identifiable.

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Trump's arrest of Don Lemon shows that his "pivot" is an utter farce. As legal experts tell me, this looks appallingly corrupt. Indeed, it's likely this is all about sending a message that Trump isn't deescalating in the slightest. New piece with fresh details here: newrepublic.com/article/2059...

newrepublic.com

Trump’s ICE Agents Arrested Don Lemon. Then the Story Got Even Darker.

Trump has been raging about the former CNN journalist. Attorney General Pam Bondi just had him arrested, a move one legal expert slammed as “highly irregular.”

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

The simply devastating line from @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social’s visit with Liam Ramos and his dad in Dilley where many children just like him are being held: “Liam also asked where his bookbag and his bunny hat are.” - Adrian Carrasquillo

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Melanie Lynn Griffin @melaniegriffin.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

#Springsteen comes through with the iconic song of this regime's reign of terror. Thank you, Bruce. Please share #Minneapolis #ReneeGood #AlexPretti #ICE #ICEOUT #DHS www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...

youtube.com

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)

YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

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Ju (Julian) @hool415.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Hullo #vss365 and to #unmoored

Unmoored

Open seas,
beyond a smudge of shore,
is our found plotted-position
but we must always sail further
and trade
for more.
The world does not owe
us easy berth:
we bob and ride the daily swells
ever unmoored,
weathered alone,
till a grasped rope of low
half-seen stars
guides us magically
into our suddenly recognised
awaited port.

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Andy Perrin @andyperrincycling.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

winter blues drifting aimlessly in cold unmoored politics #vss365 #unmoor

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Ju (Julian) @hool415.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Hullo @victoriaspires.bsky.social and to #promptcombo #subtext Am lobbing in a very old one if that ok. Thanks for hosting and ** Congrats again for the Forward Nomination** Ruddy marvellous news!!!

The Gauge Of Love

Sat in the middle of love:
bowl of cereal
in the kitchen,
under vapour trails
from your bouts
of circling busyness

with a son on my left,
his homework
battling
the internet;

you telling me
spilt coffee-drops
are a scar,
and suddenly,
all the other things
you have held in
or found.

This is mid-love,
I guess;
not by the seating
in an ever tightening
room,
but a needle
recording
(just for tonight),
its half-drained level.

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Andy Perrin @andyperrincycling.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

fragile America veering so far from moral standing #vss365 #veer

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Andy Perrin @andyperrincycling.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

white pine boughs a country bends before she breaks #vss365 #bend

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Is anyone else alarmed that a U.S. president w/ credible ties to an international child sex trafficking ring, is using an arm of federal government to abduct children? Reminder: there are still hundreds of children missing from Trump’s first term family separation enforcements.

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Gayle J. Greenlea @gjgreenlea.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Many thanks to @blsamaddar for the #vss365 poetry prompt, #bend.

A republic, if you can keep it

Do not bend the knee.
Do not obey in advance.

Winter has pulled a white sheet
over the body, blurring the crime scene.

America chills in the morgue; pulse-less,
unseeing, mute.

Life goes on, unwitting accomplice.
Time to wake. Walk like Lazarus, spine extended.

Speak the holy incantations of self-rule:
WE THE PEOPLE.

Unspool the regime, melt ICE
Spring brings second chances.

– Gayle J. Greenlea

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