Brian Bilston

Ceci n'est pas un poème.

Agent: Jane Finigan (email: info@lutyensrubinstein.couk)

My books: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/brianbilston
Gigs: https://brianbilston.com/events/

Public Key

npub1wqtl7dftknty5ljw2mq403fy2aseefusq7wp8sl7klmwcusfxaysq2w8kc

NIP-05 Address

brianbilston_at_mastodon.online@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs8q9llx54mf4j20e89ds2hc5j9wcvu57gq08qnc0lt0ahvwgynwjgprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntdqcv9r

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1wqtl7dftknty5ljw2mq403fy2aseefusq7wp8sl7klmwcusfxaysq2w8kc

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Last Notes

2026-04-03 07:52:11 UTC

Today’s poem is called ‘Crow’s Day Off’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/339/685/169/265/687/original/def0ca775131faae.jpeg

2026-04-02 08:20:00 UTC

Today’s poem is called ‘Late Twentieth-Century Techno-Funk Wake-Up Call’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/334/132/507/261/920/original/6d33160b142552c5.jpeg

2026-04-01 08:29:35 UTC

Today’s poem is called ‘How Hard It Is to Be the Moon’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/328/507/891/512/689/original/86122c82c14f7ce5.jpeg

2026-03-31 09:41:05 UTC

Today’s poem is about trying to get around the UK by train. It’s called ‘The Poet Now Standing at Platform 3A’.
https://brianbilston.com/2026/03/31/a-poem-about-my-experience-of-travelling-on-network-rail/
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/323/115/440/126/685/original/6cf5fbab570c9fa6.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/323/115/520/321/538/original/88b427c55b3f8f62.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/323/115/591/142/900/original/fe316c2f5a5db11d.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/323/115/664/313/598/original/0b0a2723c90a7e5d.jpeg

2026-03-30 08:11:12 UTC

Today’s poem is called ‘Logomachy’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/317/110/967/365/379/original/e6abd17a1bf53185.jpeg

2026-03-29 12:51:42 UTC

Advance warning: from tomorrow, I'm going to start sharing a poem each day again; so, if you were ever thinking about closing down your social media accounts, now might be a good time.

2026-03-24 14:03:40 UTC

Dead chuffed to have taken delivery today of advance copies of ‘How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside’, which comes out next month.
As ever, Picador have done a fabulous job in bringing my words to the printed page.
Incredibly, it’s my tenth book. I don’t quite know how that has happened.
Thanks to everyone for having indulged me for so long.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/284/520/372/593/282/original/bce8c1ddbe3a475b.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/284/520/430/514/568/original/380d8d66c8e55b3e.jpeg

2026-03-21 08:36:31 UTC

On World Poetry Day, here’s a reminder of the power of poetry and its potential to change the world.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/266/247/096/308/293/original/1fcf66bd6caeb4aa.jpeg

2026-03-19 09:47:39 UTC

Here’s one of my more reflective poems, written while waiting for a train at a provincial railway station.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/255/202/203/088/858/original/f84d2e4f330daa24.jpeg

2026-02-27 09:43:18 UTC

Pulp poetry.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/141/941/788/717/074/original/604bd881ecc70f74.jpeg

2026-02-25 09:59:48 UTC

Having a clear out of first lines for poems I shall never write. Please help yourself to any of these.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/130/680/764/959/131/original/908e221461864f48.jpeg

2026-02-23 09:31:47 UTC

I, for one, do not want to have another argument like that again.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/119/246/944/594/742/original/4f19d5a18a066498.jpeg

2026-02-14 08:55:36 UTC

To mark Valentine’s Day, here is what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving love poem, written 1.5 million years ago by one of our earliest ancestors, homo unrequitus.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/068/144/050/293/775/original/dce5a6e045db139d.jpeg

2026-02-13 09:08:09 UTC

Happy Radio Day to all those who celebrate.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/062/530/982/107/790/original/7fe820d6495e1da5.jpeg

2026-02-11 09:33:05 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Talking Down’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/051/304/340/770/610/original/c9b5d346fa8e04ae.jpeg

2026-02-09 09:21:03 UTC

H r ‘ a o m all d ‘O t of hara t r’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/039/931/632/998/372/original/8bbd7a893880bbfe.jpeg

2026-02-06 09:05:20 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘An Attempt to Write an Abecedarian Poem in Praise of the Dictionary’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/022/881/676/509/131/original/8955aedb8364a272.jpeg

2026-02-05 11:12:20 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Message to the 14-Year-Old Me’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/017/720/702/899/071/original/5a0da7e0b1520a89.jpeg

2026-01-23 10:14:15 UTC

Annual reminder of how many days there are in each month.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/943/882/397/805/495/original/28a2e95300d9a067.jpeg

2026-01-18 09:50:16 UTC

Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/915/475/686/521/994/original/c0b61f8e636b987e.jpeg

2026-01-12 08:51:19 UTC

Good luck to anyone starting the year with a new health regime. Here’s how mine always goes.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/881/270/959/802/967/original/3400e70197e56644.jpeg

2026-01-10 09:17:00 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘My Unbearable Politeness of Being’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/870/047/409/223/978/original/b80011cdc9137602.jpeg

2026-01-08 14:38:10 UTC

This, please.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/859/984/515/938/230/original/df03ea10c3c12777.jpeg

2026-01-05 08:19:07 UTC

This poem is dedicated to anyone heading back into work and having to endure dull conversation about what they got up to during the Christmas holidays.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/841/503/001/039/433/original/38010f836303521a.jpeg

2026-01-02 15:50:33 UTC

I’ve just taken delivery of this rather smashing proof copy of my next book: How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside.
I’ll be heading off on a UK tour with the book this autumn. A full list of where I’ll be this year is here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
Hope to see some of you later in the year.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/826/293/237/333/912/original/f9f21fc6d25f1eed.jpeg

2026-01-01 10:38:04 UTC

Poem with a subliminal message.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/819/404/226/726/245/original/7aaf83bf48fed76f.jpeg

2025-12-31 10:23:18 UTC

This year was also the year in which I failed to write a new end-of-the-year poem.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/813/684/704/662/587/original/a0c920c17fa1edc3.jpeg

2025-12-24 14:51:03 UTC

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, no matter how you choose to spend it.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/775/101/448/642/642/original/e463f8cbcb016e93.jpeg

2025-12-23 10:29:18 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Christmas without you is’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/768/409/570/594/638/original/b515a511911914c3.jpeg

2025-12-21 08:19:29 UTC

This is called ‘A Short Poem Concerning the Proximity of Chris Rea to Home as He Drives Back for Christmas’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/756/573/904/224/639/original/dfe3c0acf285ece8.jpeg

2025-12-19 10:16:00 UTC

I’m reading some Christmas poems tonight on The Adverb on BBC Radio 4.
But don’t let that put you off, there’s a fabulous line-up of other guests: Jackie Kay, John Hegley and Sam Lee, expertly compered by Testament.
It’ll be on the BBC Sounds app once it’s aired.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002nl2w

2025-12-19 09:08:10 UTC

This is called ‘Twenty Modern-Day Proverbs’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/745/441/397/808/522/original/01efa813d68b56e7.jpeg

2025-12-17 12:55:07 UTC

These are a few of my favourite words …
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/735/009/240/658/240/original/ee9d10b0160ba8e9.jpeg

2025-12-14 08:17:55 UTC

I got visited by three ghosts last night, who were all experts in English grammar.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/716/931/174/266/349/original/89c34bd99930b5fa.jpeg

2025-12-13 08:06:07 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘An Invention of Collective Nouns’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/711/223/440/715/850/original/782c08defd423807.jpeg

2025-12-10 10:47:05 UTC

Here’s a poem which has become trapped in a vicious circus (and other phrases of a similar elk).
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/694/869/821/629/560/original/f67f246b2744fbe3.jpeg

2025-12-07 10:51:36 UTC

Annual reminder to water your Christmas tree poems …
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/677/900/525/832/466/original/b45ed88c95587477.jpeg

2025-12-01 08:04:53 UTC

This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/643/270/245/823/005/original/81a56d0458152c85.jpeg

2025-11-20 11:02:53 UTC

It’s World Philosophy Day today so here’s a poem in celebration of that.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/581/685/853/419/121/original/8e6a3e5195f44817.jpeg

2025-11-10 10:38:23 UTC

I’m back on the road with The Catenary Wires this Wednesday so I thought I’d write a short poem in celebration of each place we’ll be heading to this week: Worcester, Nottingham, Swansea and Bristol.
Tickets available here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/524/959/902/451/636/original/7f28aaaf8ec4932f.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/524/959/978/304/675/original/54bc36c31f5e38b7.jpeg

2025-10-31 10:33:01 UTC

Given that it’s Halloween, here are some haiku horrorscopes.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/468/322/042/649/762/original/ab3734993f7deb4b.jpeg

2025-10-30 09:39:34 UTC

Today’s Halloween poem is called ‘Come, take this hand in yours’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/462/448/808/213/625/original/6a7e53113c902b40.jpeg

2025-10-29 10:01:52 UTC

Today’s Halloween-based poem is called ‘Pumpkin’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/456/874/259/677/800/original/adfee4fc90b8b9d9.jpeg

2025-10-28 09:38:15 UTC

With Halloween approaching, I thought I’d share a few spine-chilling poems.
Today’s is called ‘The Heebie Bee Gees’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/451/118/899/477/307/original/7dff1dba4fba8ffa.jpeg

2025-10-25 08:28:37 UTC

Happy World Pasta Day to all those who celebrate.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/433/858/974/955/054/original/71630a78d4223552.jpeg

2025-10-17 09:15:33 UTC

Some news! I have a new book coming in April: ‘How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside’.
It has 100+ new poems, and also serves as a guide to reading, writing & enjoying poetry.
An EXCLUSIVE signed edition is available through indie bookshops, with a bonus poem. Pre-order at https://bio.to/howtolayaneggwithahorseinside
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/388/733/043/190/286/original/3935a5db19d31203.jpeg
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2025-10-11 07:14:51 UTC

It’s Bookshop Day so here’s a poem in celebration of all those amazing bookshops out there.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/354/291/800/651/697/original/bd7649f66000fcc9.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/354/292/204/359/744/original/749f53190726f07e.jpeg

2025-10-02 11:33:18 UTC

Here’s another poem for National Poetry Day. This one is called ‘A Brief History of Modern Art in Poetry’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/304/352/067/060/086/original/afc595355ba4ad6e.jpeg

2025-10-02 09:05:15 UTC

Happy National Poetry Day to all those who celebrate.
This year’s theme is ‘play’ so here’s a poem which plays with some letters. It’s called ‘The Problem of Writing Poems in the Shape of Deciduous Trees’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/303/768/996/373/444/original/e360e67d1c5b44e8.jpeg

2025-09-26 11:06:27 UTC

I’m reading some poems at Marlborough Literature Festival tomorrow. A few tickets remain - if you fancy snaffling one, they’re available here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/marlboroughlitfest/brian-bilston-poetry/e-kzkrke
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/270/270/270/599/198/original/3b66be7a0af539bc.jpeg

2025-09-25 08:37:58 UTC

It’s UK publication day for ‘A Poem for Every Question’, my new collection of poems for children, illustrated by the brilliant Joe Berger.
It should be available through your local bookshop. Alternatively, here’s a page with links to some online booksellers: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/a-poem-for-every-question-brian-bilston?variant=55115733893499

2025-09-15 07:59:24 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘English Roundabouts’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/207/251/547/355/061/original/4e8cba3e7d41c0d4.jpeg

2025-09-08 08:57:26 UTC

This poem is dedicated to all those who see fit to correct my grammar and spelling on here. It’s called ‘Pedents’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/167/843/974/375/336/original/f99058cfd0a741fc.jpeg

2025-09-04 08:22:29 UTC

Here’s a short poem called ‘On Falling for a Meteorologist’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/145/056/188/353/972/original/e0efe02facd1464b.jpeg

2025-09-01 16:00:44 UTC

September is here and I’m out and about again in various guises …
On 12th, it’s an evening of poetry and music with The Catenary Wires at the Ramsgate Music Hall. It’s our first gig together. There’s only 50 tickets left so grab them while you can.
On 21st and 25th respectively, I’ll be at Linghams Bookshop in Heswall and Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford with Joe Berger. I’ll be reading some poems from our new book ‘A Poem for Every Question’ and Joe will be doing some of his clever drawings.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/129/869/046/869/498/original/30ad9fc44c9343d3.jpeg

2025-08-21 09:20:53 UTC

It’s publication day for the new edition of my first poetry collection, ‘You Took the Last Bus Home’.
It’s been unavailable for nine months, following the demise of its original publisher, Unbound. I’m so delighted that Picador stepped into the breach to bring out this shiny new edition.
Hopefully it’s now back on the shelves of most bookshops – and is available to order online from the usual places.
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/brian-bilston/you-took-the-last-bus-home/9781035086634
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/066/013/099/573/166/original/a2789fa621cf98e4.jpeg

2025-08-21 08:45:22 UTC

I left today’s poem on the train so this will have to do instead.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/065/874/736/119/510/original/945a2f22b0ea028d.jpeg

2025-08-20 09:08:36 UTC

Today’s poem is called ‘How Much I Dislike the Daily Mail’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/060/303/790/620/600/original/8bce781c682df0ce.jpeg

2025-08-19 09:20:35 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Roger’s Thesaurus’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/054/677/850/887/364/original/4364fb99652e3452.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/054/685/340/388/261/original/510bd0de9eafe993.jpeg

2025-08-18 09:41:51 UTC

To celebrate the publication of a new edition of ‘You Took the Last Bus Home’ later this week, I’m going to share a poem each day from it. This one is called ‘Jessica Fletcher Investigates’.
In other news, today is Bad Poetry Day apparently.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/049/107/303/201/228/original/07e328aa8de9f3b6.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/049/107/374/230/396/original/985422de66d8a017.jpeg

2025-08-15 11:51:04 UTC

**BORING PROMOTIONAL POST**
I’ve got two books coming out this year.
Next week sees a new edition of my first poetry collection, You Took the Last Bus Home. It’s got a lovely new cover and a few poems have been revised.
I’ll be reading from it on my tour with The Catenary Wires this autumn.
1/3
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/032/628/985/200/858/original/b2b813d9761b34d0.jpeg

2025-08-15 10:03:22 UTC

There now follows a short public information film containing particulars of Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires' autumn tour.
https://youtu.be/kzJQPPr2FzE?si=DmvuiWQBKCoPe3uS

2025-08-15 06:34:24 UTC

Happy National Relaxation Day to all those who celebrate.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/031/385/629/683/499/original/cd18857f0866a728.jpeg

2025-08-12 12:54:36 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Neither Rhyme nor Reason’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/015/893/979/416/448/original/a0c138c748b0ce50.jpeg

2025-08-07 08:59:38 UTC

Tickets are on sale now for our autumn tour.
There will be poetry! There will be music! There will be merch!
There will also be seats (for those of you who want to sit down).
More info here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/986/658/496/402/414/original/b26d2523d9bc1479.jpeg

2025-08-04 09:26:54 UTC

The mathematician John Venn was born on this day in 1834. To commemorate the occasion, here’s a poem in the form of a Venn diagram.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/969/778/721/137/634/original/ad90b91cb34da4f2.jpeg

2025-07-29 09:30:46 UTC

I took delivery yesterday of some advance copies of the gorgeous new edition of ‘You Took the Last Bus Home’.
In celebration of that, here’s the title poem.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/935/813/166/597/594/original/4a47626929e56a47.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/935/813/240/976/667/original/9ff7b8da727f7360.jpeg

2025-07-22 07:51:48 UTC

Happy Spoonerism Day to all those who belly crate.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/895/794/202/845/265/original/cca7909969fc2989.jpeg

2025-07-20 09:04:29 UTC

Here’s a new poem called ‘Wild Weekend’.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/884/755/517/989/509/original/cb5823054629757d.jpeg

2025-07-18 14:08:11 UTC

I’ve got a new book coming out in September: A Poem for Every Question. It’s a collection of poems for children, illustrated by the brilliant Joe Berger. It looks beautiful and here’s a video to prove it.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/874/619/968/130/554/original/7b38016d6293688b.mp4

2025-07-18 10:32:21 UTC

A short passive-aggressive poem, written on an aeroplane.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/873/776/627/343/923/original/4af0572255c8148b.jpeg

2025-07-16 09:07:47 UTC

IN THE PARK
In the park,
the tall trees are waving
in the morning breeze.
I wave back
only to realize they are waving
at the person behind me.

2025-07-11 10:24:38 UTC

I’m delighted to be reading some poems at Marlborough LitFest in Wiltshire on 27th September.
Tickets have gone on sale today. More info here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/marlboroughlitfest/brian-bilston-poetry/e-kzkrke

2025-07-10 11:56:17 UTC

Sounds Made by Humans - an album of my poetry put to music by the fabulous Catenary Wires – is now up on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aYKuyGAtDPXN8j46QYm2W?si=xcDqObPlQE2EkaeCdU4WUw
“A contender for album of the year.” Backseat Mafia
“An instant cult classic. 5/5” Louder Than War

2025-07-10 09:24:49 UTC

And now for today’s climate forecast …
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/828/211/692/040/536/original/8dfa55bcd2668d31.jpeg

2025-07-09 13:45:46 UTC

I'm delighted to be reading some poems at this year's Bewdley Festival in Worcestershire - St George's Hall, Saturday 11th October. Tickets have just gone on sale.
If you're nearby and fancy coming along, there's more info here:
https://events.bewdleyfestival.org.uk/index.php?cPath=17

2025-07-01 11:33:51 UTC

I’m coming back to Ireland this October to read some poems in what is set to be my most extensive tour there yet*:
17th: BELFAST
18th: DUBLIN
19th: LIMERICK
20th: DERRY
Tickets here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
Book now to guarantee disappointment.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/777/757/137/183/336/original/3019784492acc1c4.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/777/757/203/399/550/original/df2b5cdc542aead2.jpeg

2025-07-01 11:03:27 UTC

A big thanks to everyone who came along to the Glastonbury’s Poetry & Words tent to hear me read a few poems. That was a lot of hot, sticky fun.
I’ll be reading poems at a few more festivals over the summer and into the autumn:
26 July: Latitude, Suffolk
16 Aug: Beautiful Days, Devon
23 Aug: Words and Music, Kent
24 Sep: Festival of Words, Jersey
27 Sep: Marlborough Literary Festival
11 Oct: Bewdley Festival
More info here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
Hope to meet some of you at one of these.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/777/637/742/025/993/original/5308f3ac64bbcaec.jpeg
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2025-06-26 09:41:23 UTC

I’m off to read some poems at Glastonbury this weekend. I’ll be on the Poetry & Words stage on Saturday, just before 5pm.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to a festival - here’s the line up from the last one I went to.
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2025-06-21 10:12:15 UTC

Huge congratulations to Colette Hiller for winning this year’s CLiPPA, the CLPE Children’s Poetry Prize with her brilliant book, ‘Colossal Words for Kids’.
Well done, too, to all my fellow shortlisted poets, the shadowing schools who performed our poems so brilliantly, and all the judges, members of CLPE and the fantastic audience which made yesterday’s event at the National Theatre such a joy. What an amazing day.
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2025-06-19 10:11:41 UTC

It’s Independent Bookshop Week. Here’s a poem about one of the many reasons why indie bookshops are so brilliant.
#indiebookshopweek
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2025-06-12 09:32:02 UTC

Here’s another poem from ‘You Took the Last Bus Home’, and one of my more enigmatic offerings: it’s called ‘Frisbee’.
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2025-06-11 14:33:12 UTC

- reply

Sorry about that.

2025-06-11 09:44:26 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Bags’.
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2025-06-10 11:45:29 UTC

A few people have been asking about my first poetry collection, You Took the Last Bus Home.
It’s been unavailable for a while but I’m pleased to say that it will shortly be reissued with Picador. A lovely new cover will accompany it - and it’s also available as an audiobook for the first time.
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2025-05-09 08:51:46 UTC

It’s release day for ‘Sounds Made by Humans’, an album of ‘poem songs’ made with the brilliant Catenary Wires.
It’s on vinyl and CD, and can be streamed on Spotify and elsewhere.
We’re really proud of it and are taking it on the road with us in in Nov, for some evenings of music and poetry.
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2025-04-24 13:11:46 UTC

One week today, I’ll be heading off on tour with the brilliant Henry Normal, armed with a bunch of new poems, plus some old ones, too.
If you’re nearby and fancy coming along to a show, you can get tickets here:
https://brianbilston.com/events/
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2025-04-23 15:08:03 UTC

I’m thrilled to announce that my book ‘Let Sleeping Cats Lie’, has been shortlisted for the CLiPPA, the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children.
It’s an honour to be on the shortlist with such brilliant poets.
The overall winner will be announced on 20 June at the National Theatre.
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2025-04-23 08:48:26 UTC

To celebrate Shakespeare Day, here’s a poem about being in an exam and panicking that you can’t remember any Shakespeare quotations.
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2025-04-22 09:48:39 UTC

Here’s a poem for Earth Day. It’s called ‘Birdsong’.
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2025-04-19 09:22:27 UTC

Here’s a poem about the time I went online to buy an Easter egg and spent an absolute fortune.
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2025-04-17 08:50:25 UTC

It’s International Haiku Poetry Day apparently, so here are a few haiku with which to start the day.
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2025-04-15 10:10:35 UTC

I’ve been poeming about how my nouns keep conversioning to verbs.
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2025-04-11 08:48:55 UTC

It’s National Pet Day today apparently so here’s a poem about one of my cat’s poems.
It’s called ‘On ‘;..p’[[[[[[[[[[[[[;’;////////////////////////3,’
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2025-04-04 13:24:15 UTC

This is called ‘The Futures aren’t Bright, the Futures are Orange’.
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2025-04-03 13:23:15 UTC

Meta have stolen the work of 1000s of writers to train their AI. All of my books were included in their illegal action.
Today UK authors are protesting against this theft.
Copyright law is clear: to use a creator’s copyrighted work, you need to get permission and agree payment.
#DoTheWriteThing
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2025-04-03 09:57:43 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘For Your Own Safety and Protection’.
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2025-04-02 11:34:21 UTC

In less than a month, I’ll be heading off on tour again with the brilliant Henry Normal, armed with a bunch of new poems and some old ones, too.
If you’re nearby and fancy coming along, you can get tickets here: https://brianbilston.com/events/
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2025-04-01 08:28:00 UTC

Here’s a poem called ‘Prayer for Uninteresting Times’.
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2025-03-21 11:41:02 UTC

Happy World Poetry Day to all who celebrate. If you’re interested in writing poetry yourself, I hope this poem will be of some use.
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