Self portraits of the artist as an Eden trout

All the mod cons #haweswater #cumbria

Reclaiming the darkness as we enter the second half of the year after summer solstice

A late night #poemsaloud after a great day of reading, listening to and writing poetry for and with a few wonderful poets

A more full version of a poem I began writing here v late on Monday night. (I'll let you in on a little secret: I basically use Bluesky as a live jotter/notebook, then take bits from what I've posted here and work it into "proper poetry"). I will redraft this several times before publication.

Popped into the Book Nook, Kirkby Stephen #Cumbria yesterday for a photo with my book The Way of Tea, which you can buy there. I'll be sharing #tea and #poetry from The Way of Tea (based on the Tang dynasty Classic of Tea) at the Book Nook, Kirkby Stephen August 28th

Meanwhile the weather report #cumbria

This depiction of the USA of 1968 seems even more relevant in Trump's America today

A poem from a past life in @saltpublishing.com's Best British Poetry 2014

🙏

"You know all that from staring at marks on paper? You're like... a wizard." —Gilly to Samwell Tarly #gameofthrones

Caught on camera reading poems from The Way of Tea at Word Up Carlisle

A great find in my local library (Penrith, Cumbria) @carcanet.bsky.social

I love Marshall Davis' The Tao of Christ for showing that most tao of things: that two ways are one way

A new poem. I wanted to try it out aloud #PoemsAloud

My mother (Janni) let me explore her archive of letters, cards and various keepsakes from friends and fellow writers this afternoon – a rare opportunity to look in the magic chest as far as I'm concerned. There were letters from Hughes, William Golding, Alan Garner, incredible really

I have to admit, at various stages of my life, I’ve oscillated between inspiration, embarrassment, feeling overwhelmed, and a secret, pretty bloody deep pride in the poets I was named after: John Moat and Ted (Edward, my middle name) Hughes. /1

Poem by Nick Pemberton, who passed away in 2018

Marvellous evening for a book and a cup of tea. I can strongly recommend this one!

I feel I should have another go at doing a #poemsaloud! Thanks @coastalpoet.bsky.social @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social for the mentions and adds

It was my pleasure to host a Tea & Poetry event at the wonderful Hallbankgate Hub this afternoon, with poems based on The Chajing from The Way of Tea, three infusions of shou pu-erh and a few gallons of Herb Farm Yunnan Black Tea for good measure #tea #poetry

I'm tentatively re-establishing part of my career/life/soul that has been sleeping for a few years... the writer! I now have a Facebook page! www.facebook.com/johnnorthwri...

A wonderful thing arrives in post from @salmonpoetry.bsky.social @liamcarson.bsky.social In tea circles we might say thank you tea-friend! Here I might say thank you poem-friend? Or friend of starlings over the Lagan, twilight-friend, mountain-friend, crow-friend, friend of mossy walls and ravens?

Plum and cherry spring blossom – a wedding day. [[Photos from the herb garden]]

I literally forgot about this amazing little correspondence. Seven years ago! I'm not sure what the fact I forgot about it says about me, but here it is so I remember in future!

Feeling amazingly grateful today having found a home for not only our herbal teas at Natures Health Store, but also our books at The Hedgehog Bookshop, both of course right here in Penrith, Cumbria

Wishing a joyful day to all who celebrate

My poem 'Theriac' in Southword 27 (2015)

It strikes me that @thekatemulgrew.bsky.social and @jerilryan.bsky.social are a pretty kickass combo for #InternationalWomensDay