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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 16h

#Poetry, music and good companionship. This Saturday evening on the banks of the River Ouse (or thereabouts).

Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 07/09/2026

I'm giving another of my #Dickens talks next Sunday afternoon at 3pm - this one to be given at Boothby Pagnell Church near #Grantham, Lincolnshire. Its part of a #LincolnshireHeritage Open Day. Look at how young he looks in that picture - Yes! It's him in pre-beard days.

A picture of a young Charles Dickens with a backdrop of the George Hotel Grantham, where he stayed briefly in 1838. I am giving a talk in Boothby Church near Grantham on Sunday 13th of September at 3pm.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 05/09/2026

thats wicked - I'm staying away! I can see you offering it through the window to Snow White.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 05/09/2026

I saw this in Scarborough the other week it goes well with your poem www.instagram.com/c.a.p_bespok...

poster for a recent exhibition in Scarborough. A huge octopus attacks the lifeboat station

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 02/09/2026

#OddChallenge Number 3. Write a poem in the form of a recipe. As ever, I shall be selecting a handful of responses for a future edition of #60OddPoems but I'll only use stuff that has previously been posted on social media. Tag it, bag it, and send it to forensics. #poetry #prompts

The excellent image for this month's challenge comes from Diana who runs a website filled with vintage items and photographs at https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 01/09/2026

Anyone within striking distance of #Wakefield, who has naught better to do this coming Saturday afternoon, is cordially invited to attend Jackanory @ the CoActive Maker Space, Almhouse Lane, where I'll be presenting a short set of #poetry along with 3 other literary worthies. Followed by an open Mic

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 28/08/2026

It’s 7am and I’m sitting in a swish sea view apartment in Scarborough. It’s raining outside and we go home today. So excuse me if this is a bit bleak in tone. #PoemsAbout #EndOfSummer

A sad “after the Lord Mayor’s Parade” poem.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 24/08/2026

Get in there! Books have arrived for next Sunday's #60Odd launch. #poetry, prose and a particularly fine cover illustration. Featuring (amongst others) our Bluesky friends @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social, and @owlnsquirrels1111.bsky.social.

What are the odds? They are some fine poetry journals!

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 19/08/2026

Odd - Vol 1.3 is out and about. its six quid online, but its only a fiver at the Fox Gallery Launch in Mexborough (S64 9JP) on August 30th. There's tons of poetry and articles within its 90 odd pages.

Simply savoy, Art by Rachel Lewis on the cover of Odd Vol 1.3

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 14/08/2026

I’m in the South of France, but the pull of #poemsabout #mainstage is strong

Some bloody rock star who we have mostly forgotten about. I don’t actually know who… Put your suggestion of who it might be in the comments.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 07/08/2026

I spent far too long rummaging in this nonsense - There's an idea in there somewhere, I just cant lay my hand on it.. #PoemsAbout #thriftstore

I really did buy this book, from a real Hospice charity shop and it really did contain some amazing stuff. One day I'll find a way to write about it properly.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 04/08/2026

@charlotte-l-s-holm.bsky.social Welcome to bluesky. I strongly advise you to goo look at the profile of @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social, Not only is he a really good egg - he has the means to fill your feed with interesting poets. Just subscribe to a few of his starter packs.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 03/08/2026

After the success of the first Odd Challenge on poems in the future tense, here is a second one - John Keats did it with "La Belle Dame sans Merci", as did Wilfred Owen with "Dulce et Decorum Est". Can you write a poem with a title in another language? Tag them #OddChallenge, and share the prompt.

Two phrenology heads in conversation, one speaking in English, the other in French - it can only herald an Odd Challenge

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 31/07/2026

There's been some great #PoemsAbout #LastTrain this week. The journeys home, the memories, the history. I have enjoyed reading them all... A few have gone with the disappointment that there are not as many trains and lines as there used to be. I'm one of those

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 31/07/2026

a clear view of the fate that awaits us - it reminds me of this book.. I bought it at a book festival about five years ago. The the elderly writer cancelled his talk - he was ill... Just looked him up - he's 92, and still not boarded that bus.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 24/07/2026

#poemsabout #BadHabits An interesting challenge this week... let's go visit a dusty old classroom in the 1970s

No... it isn't true... I made the whole story up... (apart from the twitching cheek of a teacher reputed to have been a prisoner of war in Japan)

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 20/07/2026

Its back - by Popular Demand - This time at Mexborough Library - Join me to find out about Charles Dickens' double life, and his visit to Doncaster, with more than horse racing on his mind.

Charles Dickens outside a Doncaster Pub, where he stayed in 1857 - I will be giving a talk about it in Mexborough Library this Friday!

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 10/07/2026

#PoemsAbout #PowerCuts My wife thinks that I am packing a suitcase to get ready for a holiday... I'll do it in a minute.

Who does he think he is? William Carlos bloody Williams, or what? cupboard under the stairs. For God's sake!

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 03/07/2026

Heres a well travelled and oft rejected poem... #PoemsAbout #CheapMotels

This Travelodge poem has been rejected by The Rumpus, Acumen, and Northern Gravy. Rightly so! I have tweaked it a bit but, I don't hold out a lot of hope for it. Still... Onwards and upwards!

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 03/07/2026

Its not a competition, or submissions call , just a bit of fun, but I might well ask the writers of some of the ones that I enjoy if I can use them in a Sixty Odd Poets page later in the month. If there's any response I might do another in August. sixtyoddpoets.substack.com #Poetry #OddChallenge

A blackboard with a poetry challenge on it - "Write a poem in the future tense"

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 21/06/2026

#PoemsAbout #OutAfterMidnight Im late to the party, and there have been so many good things happening. My mind turns to another party, many years ago. youtu.be/-14L7wDwuGc

A party at my grandmas house. probably about the time when people were mostly listening to the Beatles.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 17/06/2026

My #poetry reading at the Bawtry festival was a success (even though I say it myself) I managed two forty minute sets of poetry, anecdotes and chatter which was well received. No one walked out in disgust, and I managed to sell a few books. Anyone want to book me? (seriously - I have the bug now.)

Hastily cobbled together publicity material attempting to make me look human and approachable - which I actually am, although sometimes its hard to discern from other images that I have put out.

Seriously though. I would love to do a set at your arts centre, library or small theatre. it needn't be the full 2x40 minutes, and I'm happy to support anyone else. And I won't ask for a shitload of money either. As long as I don't end up out of pocket re expenses, and have the opportunity to tout a few books, I'll be happy.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 16/06/2026

As long as we don't go back to the one where the tiger forgot to put his teeth in.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 08/06/2026

Every world tour has to start somewhere. My #poetry one kicks off at Bawtry Library next week - I just need to organise a few more dates...

A poster for a talk by a devilishly handsome gentleman at the Bawtry Community Library on the 16th of June. It gives a phone number for "signing up" I dare say there will be room for one or two people who turn up on the day.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 03/06/2026

In the absence of a #PoemsAbout this week, I am going to suggest an #OddFriday of #PoemsOn #OpportunityKnocks. I don't want to tread on the toes of @alanparrywriter.co.uk - so I am more than happy to take this down if he has something up his sleeve. I just want to have my regular read this Friday.

Write a poem on the theme of Opportunity Knocks - for Friday Morning - Don't post before Friday Morning. If there is a #PoemsAbout prompt, please disregard this and do that one

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 23/05/2026

Cooom onnnn youuuu ridiculous old man who went straight to the Turkish Barber and asked for an Ollie McBurnie #HCAFC

Ollie McBurnie after scoring the goal that took Hull City into the premiership.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 22/05/2026

And here we are! Another Friday, Another poem :) #PoemsAbout #BearingWitness.

A poem written from the point of view of an ex-Jehova's witness. I know that they haven't done much door knocking since covid. Now I see them congregated around magazine stands of Watchtowers in small groups on high streets, chatting happily with one another, and hardly bothering to interact with non believers. Makes for an easier life for them and me, but I sort of miss them.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 21/05/2026

I wanted to be in a band like this. They all had special powers and their commander would contact them mid gig via a small TV screen in the end of one of the guitars.

The Impossibles. A 60s Hanna Barbera cartoon featuring a pop group with crime busting secret identities. My favourite was Multi man on the left there. He could instantly multiply himself to overwhelm an enemy. What a philosophical conundrum. How would that work out practically? “My name is Legion for we are many”

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 12/05/2026

It's all happening tonight! (12th May) LOL! (Live on Line). Roger Waldron reading from his book "Notes from Various Settees" With an Open Mic too. Sign up for this free event! It all kicks off at 7pm BST. #poetry #OpenMic @throwawayreg.bsky.social bit.ly/SetteeNotes

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 01/05/2026

#PoemsAbout #AftertheSirens Here's my concoction. Its a bit of a sequel to an old one - (bit.ly/3Rd5HOg if you are at all interested) - but perhaps a tiny bit more romantic. Thanks to all who read

A poem in which an old seadog reflects on his career and looks to a calmer future.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 29/04/2026

Wish me luck.I’m giving a talk in #Doncaster this evening. On #Dickens

Poster for my talk on Dickens’ 1857 visit to Doncaster

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 24/04/2026

thats a very poignant picture Roger. And whilst I'm here let me direct readers to our little venture bit.ly/SetteeNotes

The surface of the table next to Roger Waldron's settee

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 23/04/2026

You like settees? You'd like to hear Roger Waldron reading from his book "Notes from Various Settees"? Whilst sitting on your own settee? And you'd like join in an online #poetry #OpenMic too? Then sign up for this event! Its on May 12th at 7pm BST. @throwawayreg.bsky.social bit.ly/SetteeNotes

A messy tabletop featuring a note about an online reading of Roger Waldron's Brook reading and an Open Mic event

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 13/04/2026

I'm packed up and I'm off on the 51 mile odyssey to Leeds to participate in the Leeds Song Festival #LS26, reading #poetry, which has been set to music by Joanna Ward and realised in art form by Hannah Guy. With a soprano & a classical pianist on board, its the most cultured band I've ever been in.

poster for Leeds Song Poets and Composers Forum 2026... I'll be there - will you?

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 07/04/2026

An early image of John Motson looking for a half time snack.

Football commentator John Motson in a sheepskin coat.

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 05/04/2026

Some thoughts on #poetry and how much it represents the true nature of the poet. buff.ly/D6CchlP

A black and white drawing of a man with a bucket over his head wearing nothing else other than some tight black bloomers, saying "Help Me"

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Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 02/04/2026

Looked up Jack Gilbert. He looks like Cliff Richards’ older and less approachable brother

Jack Gilbert. American Poet. In a shirt that blends beautifully with the background of the picture.

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