iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Bad Lilies @badlilies.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

We're pinching ourselves at Bad Lilies Towers as our 25th issue will be out later this month! More soon... badlilies.uk

static.klipy.com

Richard Sherman #25 Football Player Waving

ALT: Richard Sherman #25 Football Player Waving

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Emma Harding @emmaharding.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Delighted to be a bad lily. With huge thanks to editors @kathryngray.bsky.social & @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social

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Bad Lilies @badlilies.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

OUT NOW: Issue twenty-four: 'Hopes Unspool' badlilies.uk/issue-twenty-four

badlilies.uk

Issue twenty-four — Bad Lilies

Issue twenty-four of Bad Lilies

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I’m reading online for the Transatlantic Poetry Series on 19 June at 7pm GMT. Tickets—free—available at the link to book. Would be lovely if you’d like to join me for poems on Hollywood, musicians, poets, desire, memory, and the middle life. ❤️

ticketsource.com

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

It’s a beautiful day in Winchmore Hill.

Beautiful lake, calm. A duck sails along at midpoint. Beautiful trees on the horizon, with a blue sky above.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Will be wonderful to see you, Tim! X

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Matthew Paul @matthewepaul.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Very much looking forward to reading next Wednesday evening alongside @kathryngray.bsky.social and @kmahonpoet.bsky.social in support of @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social for the York launch of his wonderful Blue Diode collection Little Griefs at @poetrypharmacy.bsky.social, Coney Street, 7pm

Poster for poetry reading at the Poetry Pharmacy, Coney St., York, Wednesday 6th May, 7pm

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Really looking forward to this event on 7 May to celebrate @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social’s beautiful and stunning Little Griefs @poetrysociety.bsky.social!

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Years far, far, far away and unknown from the now, someone will be studying Travelodge art.

A bland print that can’t decide on the history of 20c art, so bypasses it entirely. But not. Three images: square, rectangle, something else. Bit of light in the square. Blues…

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Caught some good films over the past few days: A Real Pain (so v long overdue—absolutely adored it, will stay with me) and Project Hail Mary (v good fun and touching, too). Oh, how I love the movies!

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

53 tomorrow. We’ve come a long, long way together—little one, little me—through the bad carpets and the good.

On a ‘70s staircase, three children are gathered, with my cousin lovingly holding my hand, creating a warm and joyful scene.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Happy St. David’s Day from my late bampy (that’s a grandad, to the non-Welshies). Greatest publican South Wales ever knew. Here he is in The Greyhound (now The Llanfabon Inn), with two of his most wonderful, no-nonsense bar staff. A blessing on their beautiful memory.

Vintage black and white image of three individuals posing in front of a bar, evoking a nostalgic atmosphere.

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Graeme Richardson @ravoon.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The "Bookish Beck" blog likes "Dirt Rich" - you might like it too...

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Bad Lilies @badlilies.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

OUT NOW. Issue twenty-three: 'Wildfires' badlilies.uk/issue-twenty-three

badlilies.uk

Issue twenty-three — Bad Lilies

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Marty Supreme! What a film—fantastic.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Painting one’s toenails in January is an embrace of the coming spring.

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Andrew Neilson @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

I have a book out in a couple of months. It's only taken me 50 years to get there. So of course I have been mired in total lethargy as I regard its emergence on the event horizon. Then I fixed a toilet lid yesterday and now I am all POETRY ACTION. #DIYDONTDIE

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

That’s so lovely, Gareth. Thank you. HNY when it arrives!

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

‘Tis the season to flog my poetry. Hollywood or Home—a Tinseltown of the mind. An unusual stocking filler for the cinephile in your life.

Cover: Hollywood or Home by Kathryn Gray. Inspired by the film Sunset Boulevard, this is a Gloria Swanson pop portrait of her in a yellow dress walking out for her " Comeback " while her lover is drowning in the swimming pool. It's an oil and acrylic on canvas.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

It’s my 28th year in London. In 1997, I turned up with a suitcase and no prospects but for the kind loan of a friend’s room while she was on the other side of the world. I thought it would likely be a momentary adventure. It became my life. Here’s my favourite view.

A lush green hillside overlooks a city skyline under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds, creating a serene and expansive view.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

While Trump is awful and very dangerous, a bit weird if he really said that. No greater criminal in history? I mean, really! At least 20 spring to mind as contenders off the top of my head.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Amazing to me, but @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social and I began @badlilies.bsky.social five years ago this coming spring. Five years! A lockdown project of optimism in a sad time. The world continues to disappoint. Bad Lilies keeps going. Explore our archive: www.badlilies.uk/issues

badlilies.uk

Issues — Bad Lilies

Issues of Bad Lilies, a digital poetry journal.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

badlilies.uk

Issues — Bad Lilies

Issues of Bad Lilies, a digital poetry journal.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Here’s the latest poetry collection from John Stammers—his first in fifteen years.

Cover: The Colossus (also known as The Giant), is known in Spanish as El Coloso and also El Gigante (The Giant), El Pánico (The Panic) and La Tormenta (The Storm).[2] It is a painting traditionally attributed to Francisco de Goya that shows a giant in the centre of the canvas walking towards the left hand side of the picture. Mountains obscure his legs up to his thighs and clouds surround his body; the giant appears to be adopting an aggressive posture as he is holding one of his fists up at shoulder height. A dark valley containing a crowd of people and herds of cattle fleeing in all directions occupies the lower third of the painting. Legend: Queries on Death, the Infinite and Irrational Numbers

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Here’s the latest poetry collection from John Stammers—his first in fifteen years.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Something strange happens to time when you get older. Over the past few days, it’s dawned on me that Roddy Lumsden has been dead six years this coming January. A poem I wrote about incorrigible Roddy—my early mentor, my friend, and then not my friend, but always my friend.

Slightly, a Lost Boy
Not that my heart is a stopped clock.
Not that I even think of it at all, come to think of it. To tell the truth, I've long since regarded such things as more or less inevitable, particularly at three in the morning. There is, quite naturally, the perambulator to consider, and the smallness of you tumbling out of time so long ago, it might as well have been yesterday, for what that means... That sort of set-up can make you emotional.
But my ways are logic, lately. I tell myself you are happy with your gift.
I see you, there much pleasure in your flute, fashioned from a branch, and you are dancing! Dancing to your self! You are merry, and you are grateful for that tree. I don't think you are lonely, not especially.
Truly—I don't. You have company.
I don't think you give much thought to it, quite honestly. Still, I ponder the story, its radical departure. Maybe someone is sleeping on the job. I've thought of that. A lacuna in my heart, this morning night. The boys stay lost, but not really, not really when you come to think of it, which mostly I do not. It's just that it's three in the night of morning, and I do that hauntological thing with the pages. I guess this is what happens when you get to my age.
Not that I miss you. Not even, Slightly.

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Bad Lilies @badlilies.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

We have now reached 2,500 unique visitors for our latest issue! Read it here: badlilies.uk/issue-twenty-two

badlilies.uk

Issue twenty-two — Bad Lilies

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Bad Lilies @badlilies.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

OUT NOW. Issue Twenty-Two: 'Ghost Ship'. badlilies.uk/issue-twenty-two

badlilies.uk

Issue twenty-two — Bad Lilies

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Austin Allen @aawriting.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Grateful to @kathryngray.bsky.social and @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social for including my narrative poem "Dissent at the Temple of Gemini" in the new issue of Bad Lilies. Enjoy, and please do yourself the favor of reading the full issue! www.badlilies.uk/austin-allen-2

badlilies.uk

Austin Allen — Bad Lilies

A poem by Austin Allen

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

We’ve a beautiful new @badlilies.bsky.social landing on Halloween! Expect poems that will stay with you at this time of the thin veil between worlds.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

We’ve a beautiful new @badlilies.bsky.social landing on Halloween! Expect poems that will stay with you at this time of the thin veil between worlds.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Going on a Stevie Smith pilgrimage tomorrow. 🌸

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Not been well all week. Feeling a bit better. But ailing, I never noted that Hollywood or Home turned the grand old age of two a few days ago. Thank you to everyone who bought her and who said nice things. I appreciate you hugely, more than you will know (and so does Norma Desmond!).

Norma Desmond, yellow dress and heels. She has curlers in her hair and wields a cigarette. Drowned man to her left. Pure Sunset Boulevard.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Sunday evening. A small poem from Hollywood or Home about art, lost love, and reversal of fortune. Guest stars the marvellous Alvin Pleasant Carter, a patriarch of the legendary Carter Family, who pioneered country music. I’ve never performed it at readings. Must fix that.

Songs
Alvin Pleasant Carter was a man who knew— a pilgrim of the ultimate tune.
A.P. at his counter,
hefting over the sacks of brown sugar—
years after the road, when he'd lost his Sara, and a man can measure the weight of forever...
A.P. knew, stood in that general store, we never hear the songs we are listening for.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Sunday night poem from Hollywood or Home. E.T./The Goonies meets mortality. And, oddly, probably the nearest I’ll ever come to an ecopoem, as it dawns on me now.

The Adventurers
Out from the drives we join, one by one, and do not ask where the grown-ups have gone. Almost-spring is here again, lovely against our cheeks in the evening air. We have our sweaters on. We do not ask why we are here why tonight. The streamers from my handlebars—so free, so light!
Look how big the moon is! someone shouts.
Everyone is out. Everyone is out from the drives, even the kids who could never, who could never waggle their way to propulsion, whose mothers cared too much— asthma or dietary problems or one cliché after another serving as the explanation.
All are out, as the streetlamps tick and fizz.
We could fly! We could do anything!
Remember what it's like or never was?
Of course, there are the bad guys. Bad guys are everywhere, out of sight, but they are not us. And something not good bleeds from a pipe on the edgelands.
Something long suspected by us, but missed by the good, gone grown-ups. The bad guys listen in the dark-windowed vans of the mind you can't see. Now, we must speak softly.
We are out for treasure. We are out for trees, and the big moon. A shy boy has a plan and a map. We must be careful of the vans.
We have a boy with a plan. We came equipped with torches, the requisite peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches. The bikes slip from our grip. The bikes pile up. The shy boy puts his finger to his lips. Something is moving, he wants to say. Our round, credulous faces burn and thin to the summation of meaning— the beautiful horror, the mangled wonder.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

One of my all-time favourite tracks from the Boss. Tunnel of Love is one banging and beautiful album all round. youtu.be/_91hNV6vuBY?...

youtu.be

Bruce Springsteen - Tougher Than the Rest (Official Video)

YouTube video by BruceSpringsteenVEVO

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Unsure what it says about modern life, but the first thing on a social feed of mine this morning was a clip of the Brookside moment when Barry Grant finds his mum, Sheila, in bed with Billy Corkhill. “It’s the most natural thing in the world,” she claims. Brookie is not the Chekhov I remember.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Old photos. My grandmother comforting her little brother, my great uncle Danny, after the Commonwealth Games 1958 cycling road race. He came 8th—pretty darn great. Both of them gone to light now. Amazing people. ❤️

My nan wears a mac. She has a short 1950s do. Danny wears a blanket. He looks dejected, but shouldn’t.

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

A reminder that our @badlilies.bsky.social submissions window closes this Sunday! If you’re thinking of submitting some beautiful blooms, you can find our submission FAQ here: www.badlilies.uk/submit

badlilies.uk

Submission FAQ — Bad Lilies

Guidelines to submit to Bad Lilies

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Kathryn Gray @kathryngray.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Annual rewatch of The Firm—a v v good Tom Cruise movie. So many biggies in the cast! Among them—and most prominently—Gene Hackman, who takes his role so seriously that he elevates the whole. Pollack directed, perhaps why so many stars wanted in, despite their slight parts.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Marvin Gaye’s often-incendiary album, Let’s Get It On, was released today in 1973 on Tamla. The lp was controversial in its time but is today seen as groundbreaking – & doubtless is one of the most important albums of the 1970s. It’s a deep work of art – with a revelatory Gaye going for broke.

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