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Marc Chamberlain

@marcchamberlain.bsky.social
2.2K followers 913 following 68 posts

Poet | Critic | Queer www.marcchamberlain.net

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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I can think of very few rhymes in the English language as satisfying as ‘silence’ and ‘islands’, from part five of Ash Wednesday by T.S. Eliot, born on this day in 1888. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I’ll be discussing Mindset Mindrise, a new collection from @kmngriffiths.bsky.social exploring the nature of mind in the age of AI, online at The Live Review on 11 October, 6pm BST. The poet will be reading and taking questions from the audience too. Join us! #poetry #AI
eventbrite.co.uk
The Live Review hosted by Tamsin Hopkins
A live monthly online event for book lovers featuring a panel discussion of one book, a live reading by the author and audience Q&A.
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
William Carlos Williams was born on this day in 1883. Here he is on hubris and the indifference of the world, from Pictures from Brueghel and Other Poems (1962). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Robert Lowell passed away on this day in 1977. Here he is, reflecting on the confessional poetry for which he is so famed, in his last original collection, Day by Day, published the year he died. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Ángel González was born on this day in 1925. Here he is on sound and silence. This translation is by Gonzalo Melchor. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Happy Birthday, Rita Dove. Here she is on the importance of getting up and at ‘em, from On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Happy Birthday, Li-Young Lee. Here he is on food and family, from Rose (1986). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
No one can be entirely sure when Federico García Lorca was murdered by Franco’s militia, but it was sometime around the middle of August in 1936. Here’s one from Poema del Cante Jondo (Poem of the Deep Song), first published in 1921. This translation is by Cola Franzen. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Happy Birthday, Medbh McGuckian. Here’s a favourite from On Ballycastle Beach (1988). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Diane di Prima was born on this day in 1934. She started writing her Revolutionary Letters in 1968, adding to them until shortly before her death in 2020. Here’s the first. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Robert Hayden was born on this day in 1913. Here he is on the joys of music and solitude, from Words in the Mourning Time (1970). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
John Ashbery was born on this day in 1927. “Everyone is along for the ride, / It seems”. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Jennings. Here she is on summer and angst, from The Animals' Arrival (1969). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Thank you to editors Amanda Quaid and Jon Rachmani at Metphrastics for publishing my poem 'Complicity', after 'Self Portrait' by Unknown Artist (ca. 1800–5). #Poetry #TheMet www.metphrastics.com/summer-26/#c...
metphrastics.com
Summer 26 — Metphrastics
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Pablo Neruda was born on this day in 1904. Here he is on political and environmental corruption, from ‘America, I Do Not Invoke Your Name in Vain’, part six of Canto General. This translation is by Ben Belitt. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
A still from 'The Blood of a Poet' (1932) by Jean Cocteau, born on this day in 1889. #poetry #cinema
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Happy Birthday, Harryette Mullen. Here’s one from ‘Sleeping with the Dictionary’ (2002). #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Today is the 90th anniversary of the birth of Lucille Clifton. won’t you celebrate with me #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Today is the summer solstice and the anniversary of the birth of Adam Zagajewski. Don’t allow the lucid moment to dissolve. #poetry #solstice
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Poet and resistance fighter René Char was born on this day in 1907. Here’s an enthralling little piece of poem from Placards pour un chemin des écoliers (1937): part two of ‘Quatre Âges’. Alongside it is my translation. #poetry 1/2 🧵
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Gwendolyn Brooks forever. Born on this day in 1917. #poetry
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Beatgrrrl @beatgrrrl.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Rest in Power ☆ Marjane Satrapi November 22, 1969—June 4, 2026
Marjane Satrapi smoking a cigarette with Joan Didion vibes.Scene from Persepolis.Marjane Satrapi drawing.Marjane Satrapi
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
A little cry from Allen Ginsberg on the anniversary of his birth. #poetry #ginsberg #america
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Happy Birthday, Uncle Walter. Born on this day in 1819. “A glimpse through an interstice caught” ❤️ #poetry #queer
Walt Whitman, A Glimpse
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Melvin Dixon was born on this day in 1950. His poetry was infused with panache, fierce intelligence and an always understated sophistication. Here’s “The 80’s Miracle Diet”. Stunning, shattering, and I love the nod to (dig at?) Ginsberg at the end of the second stanza. #poetry #HIV #AIDS #the80s
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
I'll be reading at the launch 🚀 of Angel Exhaust 24 tonight. 7pm BST. There will be some fantastic poets there. Come along! #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
It’s 21 May and the Sun is entering the third sign of the Western zodiac. Here’s “Gemini” by Palestinian American poet Fady Joudah. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Adrienne Rich was born on this day in 1929. Here’s "In Those Years", written in 1991, where she reflects on the aberration that was so-called "confessional" poetry. #poetry
Adrienne Rich, 'In Those Years'
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Charles Simic was born on this day in 1938, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Here’s “Prodigy,” about playing chess as a child in a house where “Planes and tanks / shook its windowpanes.” #poetry www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42953/...
poetryfoundation.org
Prodigy
A retired professor of astronomy taught me how to play. In chess, too, the professor told me, the masters play blindfolded, the great ones on several…
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Reupping this. We're at audience capacity for the Zoom now, but some people may not show. If you'd like to be added to the waitlist, please send an email to Sue Burge (address on the poster). You might get lucky! Complicated Air | Sunday 10 May | 7-9pm UK time #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
A beautiful thing, this. The first publication of 'An Attempt at Alphabet' by John Wieners, in both book form and as a facsimile of the original 12 sheet scroll in Wieners' hand. Written in San Francisco on 22-23 October 1957. Published now by Constitutional Information of Sheffield, UK. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Paul Celan passed away on this day in 1970. Here's the wonderful 'Sprachgitter' and its translation as 'Language Mesh' by Michael Hamburger. #poetry
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Tom Snarsky @tomsnarsky.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Gregory Corso
HOW NOT TO DIE

Around people
if I feel I’m gonna die
I excuse myself
telling them “I gotta go!”
“Go where?” they wanna know
I don’t answer
I just get outa there
away from them
because somehow
they sense something wrong
and never know what to do
it scares them such suddenness
How awful
to just sit there
and they asking:
“Are you okay?”
“Can we get you something?”
“Want to lie down?”
Ye gods! people!
who wants to die amongst people?!
Especially when they can’t do shit
To the movies—to the movies
that’s where I hurry to
when I feel I’m going to die
So far it’s worked
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Eleanor Ball @eleanorball.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
are you a GAY PERSON IN MY PHONE who writes about TECH, VIDEO GAMES, MEMES, MISSING VINE, or (most importantly) HATING AI? you have until this sunday to submit to the MOTHERBOARD anthology by @fifthwheelpress.bsky.social. we would love to read your work!! fifthwheelpress.com/anthsubs
fifthwheelpress.com
anthology submissions — fifth wheel press
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Happy birthday, Jericho Brown. This poem still devastates. #poetry #blacklivesmatter www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/158648...
poetryfoundation.org
The Tradition
We thought Fingers in dirt meant it was our dirt, learning Names in heat, in elements classical Philosophers said could change us. Summer seemed to bloom…
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Angel Exhaust 24 now available to buy from www.angelexhaust.net. There's some fantastic work in here and I'm honoured to be included. Grab yourself a copy now, or ask your library to order it for you! #poetry
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Fiona Larkin @fionalarkin.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Looking forward very much to reading with this amazing group of poets - save the date! Zoom link from Sue Burge (email on poster) @michpenn.bsky.social @marcchamberlain.bsky.social @tamsinhopkins.bsky.social
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Andrew Neilson @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Little Griefs the mini-tour continues with a gig at the brand spanking new Poetry Pharmacy in York! Featuring @kathryngray.bsky.social @matthewpaulson.bsky.social and @katymilkman.bsky.social Hope to see anyone northwards there 🙏 @poetrypharmacy.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/little-gri...
eventbrite.co.uk
Little Griefs: Book Launch and Reading with Andrew Neilson and Guests
Join Andrew Neilson, Kathryn Gray, Katy Mahon and Matthew Paul for the York launch of Little Griefs
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
I'll be reading with these wonderful poets on 10 May. Online and open to all. @jcsugarman.bsky.social @fionalarkin.bsky.social SK Grout @michpenn.bsky.social Tamsin Hopkins Sue Burge #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Derek Walcott passed away nine years ago today. Here's one of my favourites, from White Egrets (2010). #poetry #derekwalcott
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Another one of mine here from Angel Exhaust. Big thanks to editors Andrew Duncan and Charlie Baylis. #poetry #homophobia
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Delighted to have a few poems in the esteemed and historic Angel Exhaust. Here's one of them. #poetry
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
I'll be giving an online talk at the Institute of English Studies, University of London, on 25 February, 6-8pm GMT:⁣ ⁣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐀/𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬⁣ ⁣ Free and open to all. DM me for the meeting link. #poetry #lacan ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
ies.sas.ac.uk
Welcome to the Institute of English Studies
The Institute of English Studies
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David Atkinson @davidatkinsonpoet.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
We have no grand metaphors, just an insistence to say where we come from without shame. The plain and direct language is the emotional core of the piece He acknowledges facing your past is difficult and that the bravest thing is not reinvention, but recognition. #poetry #poemoftheday
Poem 'The Ideal' by James Fenton
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Happy Saint Valentine's Day to all the courtly lovers. Let's listen again to the wonderful sounds of J.H. Prynne reading 'Cocaine' by John Wieners. 'For I have seen love and his face is choice Heart of Hearts...' m.soundcloud.com/william-25/c...
m.soundcloud.com
'Cocaine' by John Wieners, read by J.H. Prynne
Stream 'Cocaine' by John Wieners, read by J.H. Prynne by Bags: on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.
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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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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I'll be giving an online talk at the Institute of English Studies, University of London, on 25 February, 6-8pm GMT:⁣ ⁣ ‘𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐭’: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐀/𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬⁣ ⁣ Free and open to all. DM me for the meeting link! ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Contemporary Innovative Poetry Research Seminar
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Great to be back in the wonderful @dadakuku.bsky.social with my short poem 'Resolve'. Big thanks to editor @petrock.bsky.social.
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Marc Chamberlain @marcchamberlain.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
So good to see – and hear – a new poem from @kathrynmaris.bsky.social yalereview.org/article/kath...
yalereview.org
Kathryn Maris: “The Plumber”
A poem by Kathryn Maris: “I took a class at the Freud Museum. / Later, at dinner, I felt abjection.”
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Michelle Penn @michpenn.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Tonight, I'm launching my new poetry collection, Retablo for a door! The event's at 7.30 pm in the Swedenborg Hall, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2TH. I'll be reading with @ianseedauthor.bsky.social, who's also published by the brilliant @shearsmanbooks.bsky.social. Please join us!
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