A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 22 What is it that can make a house a home? The choice of wallpaper? A lick of paint? The cushions scattered expertly just so Giving an air both fashionable and quaint? Perhaps it is that lived in atmosphere: The dishes piled waiting to be washed, The household clutter sprinkled everywhere The beds lazily made, the pillows squashed. Or maybe it's the people who reside Within that make this such a homely place; The ones with whom we've laughed and we have cried Held through life's trials with love's steadfast embrace. Perhaps a home is where the soul can rest; Where love is freely given and expressed.

Day 22 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I'm to tired to give any extra commentary tbh. I need a day off 🫩 #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

Jewish communities are living in fear amid rising antisemitism, including these appalling arson attacks. We must confront this.

At the same time, antisemitism is being weaponised to shut down criticism of the Israeli government.

Both are true. Both deeply concerning. Both Antisemitic.

Hard agree with this one.

A screenshot of a notes app note which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 21 Why are we in this business we call show, As gruelling and capricious as it is; Where fate can take you from the spotlight's glow To dull obscurity? This fickle biz That leaves our tender, fragile hopes to chance, And slowly chips away at our self-worth; And is it a surprising circumstance That we become exhausted with the dearth Of money, time or true companionship, Bouncing between auditions, classes, work? And never for a moment letting slip Our fears that in the murky darkness lurk: The dread that we will never be enough And one day everyone will call our bluff.

Day 21 of #30DaysOfSonnets: this one turned out a bit more depressing than I planned. I blame the tiredness. #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 20 I'm struggling to think of a first line, A common difficulty writers face. My phone stares blankly at me with no sign Of what it would like written in this space. And so I do what I do every time I'm not sure what my sonnet's theme should be I write my thoughts, and try to make them rhyme And fit the bouncy iambs perfectly, Which feels a bit like cheating, I'll admit, As if my thoughts aren't worthy of the form. A poem should be grander, have more grit, Or have a weighty moral to transform It's audience. My rambles are not that; A better fit for silly, idle chat.

Day 20 of #30DaysofSonnets: today's ended up a little self-deprecating. I'm blaming the 7 out of 10 consecutive work days. But also, two thirds of the way through the challenge! #PoetsSky #WritersSky #poetry #writingcommunity

What the Dem platform for 2028 must be:
1. Epstein Trials
2. ICE Trials
3. War Crimes Tribunals

We don’t want to hear about a $10,000 tax credit for starting new AI businesses.

We demand JUSTICE.

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 days of Sonnets: day 19 Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? You'd rather I did not? Ah, that's too bad. I know the idea may be quite cliché But still, your blunt rejection makes me sad. See, summer days are nice, and you're nice too So it's a pertinent comparison. This season makes the world feel fresh and new Under the strengthening glow of summer's sun; And you have the same fortifying power Despite being a human, not a star; But that's by no means reason to be sour Because I love you just the way you are. And so please do allow me to compare Your virtues to a season that's so fair.

Day 19 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I sometimes play a game of ending a musical by answering "no" to a song lyric (e.g. "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?" "No.") so I sort of did a similar thing with today's poem. Not winning any awards, but it's cute. #PoetsSky #WritersSky #writingcomunity #poetry

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 18 Of all the pet peeves one could ever have, The habits that stick far inside one's craw, The small faux pas, the niggles, nuisances, The irritations too hard to ignore, There's one that takes the cake (and so much so It has inspired fourteen lines of verse) That raises such a furry in my blood That it could fuel a century-long curse: When colleagues that you work with frequently Can choose to be loquacious with their friends But yet with you they're silent, terse, reserved - In truth they plan ignore you, it transcends Insensitivity - that's not the sitch: These are the actions of a fucking bitch.

Day 18 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I had a bad day at work. One of the contributing factors inspired today's poem. Also, I thought this would be my first non-rhyming sonnet, but I accidently rhymed in the first quatrain, so went with it. #PoetsSky #WritersSky #poetry #writingcommunity

Oh my gosh, how was this 21 years ago?!

I don't recall any previous transformative technologies that had to be sold to the public so hard. No one in 1999 was going, "Guys. Cell phone? It's coming, whether we like it or not. I think it's important, FOR WOMEN ESPECIALLY, to learn about cell phone. So that we're not left behind!!"

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 17 It's often said we contain multitudes: These layers of self in one identity. And this is one of many platitudes Dismissed by most as a nonentity. And yet, it speaks the truth of what I feel; The endless pull of everything I am: The wounded parts of me that need to heal, The silly parts that do not give a damn. Each segment has ambitions of its own: Some parts have bold expression as their aim, Some want to serve, some want to be alone, And all are scared to choose which path to claim. And so I breathe and listen, and I wait To see what life my soul wants to create.

Day 17 of #30DaysOfSonnets: this one was pretty quick to write. #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

The fact that Mamdani just seems like a cheerful normal guy who's policies are things like "we're going to tax second homes to fund pothole repairs" or whatever and yet this generates panicked responses like "This is basically Stalin's great purge turned up to eleven" is... telling. It tells things.

Morning of story development with my writing group and a great chat with my agent. Solid Friday so far, I have to say. #actor #writer #theatre #friday

Screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 days of Sonnets: day 16 The thing with sonnets is they're so high brow, Synonymous with Shakespeare, Milton, Keats. And so it's difficult to know quite how To not start aiming for pretentious feats Of verse. So, for example, simple words Feel unpoetic in this structured form. And natural themes, describing trees and birds, Seem worthier and closer to the norm With sonnets generally. The trouble is When you must write one each and every day And aren't a wealthy poet who has his Days free to compose verse all hours he may, You cannot limit what your work should be, And writing what you want brings much more glee.

Day 16 of #30DaysofSonnets: wrote this during the Neuro divergent Art Club - get sh*t done session. Does anyone else find themselves writing what the "should" write instead of going with what comes organically? #PoetrySky #WritersSky #writingcommunity

A screenshot of a notes app note which reads: 30 days of Sonnets: day 15 When weariness assaults my heavy eyes And smothers any sense in my dull thoughts, Resorting any speech to tired sighs, And all attempts at artistry it thwarts; When all I feel is longing for my bed, Surrendering to slumber's soft embrace; I'd let the pillow hold my heavy head And lead me to a hallowed, dreamy place; It's at these times I face a paradox: It's hard to write, yet I write with more flow (Which I would think is quite unorthodox) If I allow my poetry to go Wherever my mind leads, which can be tough To trust my present self to be enough.

Day 15 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I'm halfway through! Today's sonnet was written on the train home from work. As it's about writing when tired, let's say the logical inconsistencies are intentional... #PoetrySky #WritersSky #writingcommunity

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 14 A Witch is one who walks between the worlds: Who moves within the fluid, liminal space Inside the cracks of the consensus realm Of banks and work and rushing places to place; Who stops to hear the humming of the Earth, Communing with the beating of Her heart That drums beneath the fruitful, healing soil And soothes the daily toils that pierce and smart The spirit. And they use this medicine, Known by the ancestors of ages past, To fuel them for the work that must be done: To guide them to the spell that must be cast. And guided by their own morality, The sovereign Witch shifts their reality.

Day 14 of #30DaysOfSonnet: today's subject is the Witch: a title that invokes everything from fairytale villains, to a table of persecution, to crystal-filled wellness retreats #PoetrySky #WritersSky #writingcommunity #WitchSky #TarotSky

That 'explanation' was the epitome of "that's enough Internet for one day."

Love this! Plus, a great way to stay hydrated.

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 13 "The grass is greener on the other side": Not really, though it seems some folks think so. "A horse led to the water might not drink": I'm not sure anyone gave it a go. "No pain, no gain": depends what 'pain' you mean. "A watched pot never boils": that's not true. "Clouds have a silver lining": no they don't. "Don't bark up the wrong tree": that's weird to do. To give you the cold shoulder would be rude; Plus, I prefer my shoulders nice and warm. And cats and dogs aren't raining from the sky, And if they do it's not a perfect storm. I feel this poem's getting out of hand. Let's bring in the fat lady and the band.

Day 13 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I decided to do a tongue-in-cheek exploration of idioms. #PoetrySky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

Orban’s defeat shows that when we stand together against the politics of hate and division, hope wins and the far right friends of Farage can be defeated.

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 days of Sonnets: day 12 I'm struggling to write this one today; I tried to write a sonnet about blue (The colour not the band, I'm sad to say) But managed just to write a line or two. In general, though, this Sunday's not been bad: We're on the sofa, my partner and I, The chores are done and dinner has been had, And now I'm watching him play "No Mans Sky", A game in which you voyage through deep space (Sounds way more fun than emptying the bins!). But now I should go up and wash my face, Plan for tomorrow, celebrate my wins. And one of them will be this little verse: Though not my best, it's by far not my worse!

Day 12 of #30DaysOfSonnets: another hard one today, but I got it done (for the record, my partner was the one who emptied the bins today) #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

Image: A small, angry boy stands in front of his parents. They are in modern clothes, but he is dressed as a regency gentleman with top hat, breeches, cane etc. He says "No title, no estates, and less than a thousand a year! How am I ever to find a wife!" Caption: Noah's parents realise that he has been drawn into the manorsphere.

My latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com #manosphere

A screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 11 But just before I close my eyes in death I'll look over the life that I have lived: The loved ones that I leave with my last breath, The deeds I've done, and all I've left behind. I wonder what that future me will find, Taking the weight and measure of her life: Was she remembered fondly? Was she kind? Did she succeed where her ambition led? And will she face oblivion with dread, This me-to-come mere moments from her end, Or will I, lying in my final bed Find comfort in my mental epitaph? And from these musings stems a simple plan: To live without regret as best I can.

Day 11 of #30DaysOfSonnets: for today's sonnets I took the first line for a poem by @jessicajocelyn.bsky.social as inspiration (I saw it shared on my Discover feed Nd thought I'd saved the post, but apparently not) #PoetrySky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

I'm one of those trans women. I worked ground ops for Artemis I.

I am torn between celebrating the success of my friends and peers and grieving how my dream of working for NASA was shattered by hateful assholes in Tallahassee

My BlueSky feed has skewed very writing heavy, which is great (also I'm writing a poem a day atm, so, y'know, it tracks). But where are the theatre peeps at? I miss the nerdy theatre talks I used to have on the bird app. #TheatreSky #Theatre #TheaterSky #Musicals

Screenshot of a notes app note, which reads: 30 Days of Sonnets: day 10 A bold, red lip's the best accessory: A simple, chic addition to a look That's seen by some as basic or as twee, But packs a punch to leave observers shook. It elevates the slouchiest of dress, With its deliberate choice of scarlet hue, And ties it all together with finesse Far better than a simple lip should do. For fancy gowns, it is the cherry on top, Giving more timeless class than a full beat But nodding to a time when jaws would drop To see a lip so bright and indiscreet. I don't know how to end, except to say For me, the bold red lip is here to stay.

Day 10 of #30DaysOfSonnets: today is a love letter to the red lip, aka my go-to interview makeup look. Sidenote, I'm a third of the way through this challenge I made up! Woo! #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

A screenshot of a notes app note that reads: 30 days of Sonnets: day 9 The British weather is a fucking cunt: One day I am as hot as Vulcan's balls, The next I'm freezing cold. It's an affront To all that spring has promised. And it falls On me to pack three, four, five layers more To make sure I'm not freezing off my tits On the way home. It's such a bloody bore And scuppers any hope of chic outfits And then what if it rains?! Heaven forbid That I will have my brolly close at hand. And then, sleet, snow, and fog - you think I kid; That kind of crap is totally on brand. At least this shit brings some variety As well as climatic anxiety.

Day 9 of #30DaysOfSonnets: I'm just really annoyed at how crap the weather was today. This one came out pretty sweary - you have been warned. #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

goddammit typos! curse my fumbling thumbs!

A screenshot of a notes app note, reading: 30 Days of Sonnets: Day 8 Instead of saying, simply, "I love you," Try something like, "My spirit yearns to spend Eternity with you," or, "All I do I do your will to serve, your soul to tend." Or say, "I will do anything for love." (Be sure to leave off Meat Loaf's final clause), Or, "When you fell to Earth from heaven above How many bumps and bruises did it cause?" Or maybe take a more comedic route; "I love you lots like jelly tots," perhaps. Throw on some sweet treats and a kiss to boot To show your strength of feeling will not lapse. But the again, these tips are all cliches; Best then to find a unique turn or phrase.

Day 8 of #30DaysofSonnets: today's poem is an exploration of the different ways to say "I love you". #PoetsSky #WritersSky #Poetry #writingcommunity

Ok, now do the bass clef.