Matt Gilbert (@richlyevocative.bsky.social)

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 12, 2026, 7:11 AM

“The presence of a heavily fortified Roman auxiliary fort may help unlock the mystery of a Mabinogion legend that has endured for nearly 1,700 years.” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

@roguestrands.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 5:36 PMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

My editorial for The Madrid Review...

Over 800 poems later, here I am, still in one piece after having read all of them. No sifting here! And no, the process wasn’t an ordeal. Instead, it was enlightening in terms of understanding my own subjective tastes.

As a reader and editor, I’m not wanting to be surprised, a desire I’ve heard several other poetry editors mention over the last few months. In fact, this feels like a worrying trend, driven by their understandable saturation. The consequent problem is that understated, restrained or layered poems are often penalised in the submissions process, and they tend to be among the most interesting ones.

Enough of what I don’t want though. What did make me select the poems that are included in this issue? Well, I’ve been drawn to a sense of line and its inherent tensions, to a concise, precise and fresh use of language (without the need for fireworks unless they play an intrinsic role in the poem’s purpose), to a naturally heightened cadence, to a delving into the universal via the specific, to an emotional awareness of the reader’s role. Not much to ask, I hear you say!

This means that self-expression on the part of the poet wasn’t enough when I was considering submissions. Instead, I believe the poems I’ve chosen are reaching out to us and are always aware of our presence. They invite us into their worlds, before encouraging us to revisit our own worlds in light of theirs. These poems moved me and changed me, which was a privilege. I’m delighted and proud to share them with you today.

@wanderinggaia.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 11:41 AMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

Stop normalising far right views #notlegitimateconcerns

@johnspringford.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 11:40 AMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

Nothing is more important than intimidating asylum seekers

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 7:34 AM

😀

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 6:08 AM

Very pleased to have a small poem nestled here, in an excellent issue exploring the nocturnal world. Thanks @madridlitmag.bsky.social @roguestrands.bsky.social for selecting.

@madridlitmag.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 4:32 AMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

Issue 9 of The Madrid Review is out today! To celebrate, we revisit our Issue 7 interview with Anne Carson and congratulate her on her Nobel Prize in Literature! Join us from 11am on Instagram for prizes and surprises throughout the day.
#annecarson
themadridreview.substack.com/p/it-is-good...

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 3:29 PM

victoriaspires.substack.com/p/a-month-of...

@thelakepoetry.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 8:27 PMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

#poetry #poem #poems #poetrycommunity #writing #writers www.thelakepoetry.co.uk

@madridlitmag.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 3:58 AMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

New issue out on Friday - details here:
themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
@roguestrands.bsky.social @annabeerauthor.bsky.social @rickyballboy.bsky.social @acgrayling.bsky.social @pattismithh.bsky.social @richlyevocative.bsky.social @stephenclaughton.bsky.social @pdevonald.bsky.social

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 12:10 PM

Welcome to Highgate - I’m sure they’d say these are the two most popular spots visitors want directions for, and that this saves on constantly answering the same question. As a poet, I can’t help but view every word choice and its positioning as loaded with meaning. 😜

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 3, 2026, 11:56 AM

Cheers Paul

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 3, 2026, 11:56 AM

Cheers Paul

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 4:26 PMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

Very pleased to have a poem of mine up now in the October edition of The Lake www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/poetry/matt-...

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 4:26 PM

Very pleased to have a poem of mine up now in the October edition of The Lake www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/poetry/matt-...

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Sep 28, 2026, 5:51 PM

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Sep 27, 2026, 4:04 PM

And don’t get me started on plough, chough, rough. Although there are further examples, those ought to be enough.

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 9:06 AMReposted by @richlyevocative.bsky.social

tomcox.substack.com/p/31-notes-i... “Email from my dad. No subject heading. Just says “WE ARE LIVING IN THE AGE OF THE GIT.” Nothing else…”

Almost everyone of these is very funny. Some hysterical. Having recently lost my own; mad dad stories are something of a tonic.

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 5:25 PM

Even activist is too kind. Thug would do better.

@richlyevocative.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 9:06 AM

tomcox.substack.com/p/31-notes-i... “Email from my dad. No subject heading. Just says “WE ARE LIVING IN THE AGE OF THE GIT.” Nothing else…”

Almost everyone of these is very funny. Some hysterical. Having recently lost my own; mad dad stories are something of a tonic.