Hello poets & @thebrokenspine.co.uk
— For this week's #LiftToTheSky
(good cape weather)
by #WesJordans
(a new mix of familiar emotions)
“the mind complains, complains, complains, and tries to untangle the / uncomplicated”
#Poetry
A black-and-white photograph of seabirds flying above a calm sea. Gentle waves roll toward the shore beneath a pale sky. In the centre of the image, handwritten-style text reads “#LIFTTOTHESKY,” with “@thebrokenspine.co.uk” beneath it. The Broken Spine fountain pen logo appears in the top right corner.
#LiftToTheSky is a reminder that reading is relational.
Lift the work that moved you, not the work that flatters you.
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
Our prize matters as much as any other poetry prize.
Which is to say: it doesn’t.
But it was built honestly and together — and that’s enough.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Three fabulous poems from the brilliant Linda M. Crate 👏
#poem #poems #poetry #lifttothesky
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
This prize exists because we decided to make it — and you decided to help.
That’s the only legitimacy we care about.
Everything else is theatre.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Hello poets & @thebrokenspine.co.uk
— For this week's #LiftToTheSky
Blue Horses by #MaryOliver
What a delight to imagine, stepping into a painting, and then stepping into a painting with Mary Oliver
#Poetry #ElphrasticPoetry
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
"I live in a folk song" 💚
Fascinating premise, a conversation between father & son. It captures the tenacity & individualism of that generation, and generational conflicts in any era. The defiance is powerful! A refusal to participate in outdated structures.
@carmellapoetry.bsky.social
#LiftToTheSky
#lifttothesky new to our community @mgrowth720.bsky.social
who is pumping out some heartfelt and beautiful work! Check it out
What an extraordinarily kind thing Carmella. Thank you. And as I am sure Peter, Julie, Evie and the two Johns will agree, you deserve a #lifttothesky, if not a #lifttothehighestvaultoftheempyrean in return
My #LiftToTheSky this week is @madp03t.bsky.social. His fiction as well as his poetry displays a sharp wit that cuts into what it means to experience the absurd tragi-comedy we call life. Check his work out and enjoy. Best wishes 🤗
#writercommunity #poetrycommunity #writers #poets
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
We didn’t wait for permission.
We didn’t wait for funding bodies.
We made a prize to prove they’re no more meaningful than ours — and you backed it.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
There's some awesome people I'd like to #LiftToTheSky today! I do know a lot of cool people, so it can be hard to choose.
@ottersediting.com is amazing! They're on heck of an editor and just all around awesome!
@nocturnalxlight.bsky.social is also really, really cool!
Check 'em out!
Today's #LiftToTheSky goes to this poem by @taylorbyas.bsky.social. The sense data and concrete details pulled me in while the arc of emotions resonates in the way you want a poem to do. 💜
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
poets.org/poem/i-begin...
The cover of Mirko Boncaldo’s poetry pamphlet Subverses from Broken Sleep Books. A yellow background across which, from the right, headlands of green, blue and brown abstraction pour
Mirko Boncaldo’s Subverses, a poetry pamphlet from Broken Sleep Books, edited by Aaron Kent, arrived this morning. That cover alone deserves a #lifttothesky #poetrycommunity @godzillakent.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
On Sunday, I enjoyed attending one of the most thought-provoking book launches, Paul Brookes' collection, Hedgerow of Voices. Here's a poem & some lovely endorsements from:
@thepaulconnolly.bsky.social
@rhonagreene.bsky.social
#LiftToTheSky
@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
@janecornwell.bsky.social
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
No illusion of permanence.
No myth of transformation.
Just one editor’s taste and money raised by a community that showed up.
That’s real.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
This award won’t crown “the best”.
It’ll crown favourites — like all prizes do.
The difference is we said it out loud and built it together.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
We know this prize doesn’t matter in the grand scheme.
Neither does prestige.
But cash and care do — and you showed both, shoulder to shoulder.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Book cover of the international anthology, Contemporary Surrealist and Magical Realist Poetry, edited by Jonas Zdanys, featuring a swirling orange and blue sky, green countryside with a river winding through and a large strangely shaped sculpture towering over the scene.
This week's #LiftToTheSky goes to the anthology Contemporary Surrealist and Magical Realist Poetry edited by Jonas Zdanys. I dip in every morning, excellent way to start the day. I recommend to anyone who likes a good dose of weird! 💜
@thebrokenspine.co.uk @alanparrywriter.co.uk
A black-and-white photograph of seabirds flying above a calm sea. Gentle waves roll toward the shore beneath a pale sky. In the centre of the image, handwritten-style text reads “#LIFTTOTHESKY,” with “@thebrokenspine.co.uk” beneath it. The Broken Spine fountain pen logo appears in the top right corner.
It’s #LiftToTheSky Monday.
Share a poet, press, or project you trust.
Your recommendation matters.
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
Our prize is as arbitrary as any other.
So we skipped the ceremony and kept the honesty.
You helped fund it because you care about poets.
We do too.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
This prize won’t make you famous.
It won’t rewrite your future.
It will say: we liked this work, and here’s money — raised together.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
For this week’s #LiftToTheSky, here’s a shout out to:
Elemental Things
By Michael Glaser
Stillness
“What can a pen know better / than its own not knowing?”
#poetry #MichaelGlaser
www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
#lifttothesky one of my favorite people and a big part and supporter of our community @arwashington.bsky.social. I could probably write this every week she is so special. Her writing, art and heart are something that if you are lucky- you get to be a part of
#LiftToTheSky another shout-out to Write & a Pint, from online morning sessions to in-person workshops, the most lovely, welcoming bunch of writers 💖
www.writeandpint.com
Black-and-white graphic of a vintage typewriter seen from above. Torn paper strips sit in the typewriter reading “£1200 RAISED” and “WIN CASH” in bold lettering. Below, the hashtags “#TheBrokenSpineAward” and “#ByPoetsForPoets” are printed. The overall style is gritty, high-contrast, and zine-like.
No authority claimed.
No neutrality pretended.
One editor’s favourites, funded by peers.
You raised the pot with us. That’s the story.
#TheBrokenSpineAward #ByPoetsForPoets #PoemsAbout #LiftToTheSky
For this week’s #LiftToTheSky I’m highlighting the #Poetry Library, #Scotland. A fab resource with the aim of ‘bringing people and poetry together’ check their online resources, visit if in Edinburgh, or borrow books by post. A treasure.
www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk
Discover more than Burns
A black-and-white photograph of seabirds flying above a calm sea. Gentle waves roll toward the shore beneath a pale sky. In the centre of the image, handwritten-style text reads “#LIFTTOTHESKY,” with “@thebrokenspine.co.uk” beneath it. The Broken Spine fountain pen logo appears in the top right corner.
#LiftToTheSky asks a simple question:
Who helped you stay with the work?
Lift them.
