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Scottish Poetry Library

@byleaveswelive.bsky.social

The Scottish Poetry Library is Scotland's number one poetry resource both online and in bricks and mortar. We're at 5 Crichton's Close, Edinburgh and we're open to the public Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm. Our online HQ is www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

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Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 2w ago

For #NationalPoetryDay we've commissioned 5 of Scotland's Young Makars to create new work on the theme of The Wonder of Nature. They collaborated on reading a new poem by Leah Sinforiana as well as reading a new individual piece of their own. #NPD26 www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/national-poe...

National Poetry Day 2026: Wonder

For National Poetry Day 2026 (Thursday 1 October), the Scottish Poetry Library has teamed up with Brand Scotland to bring you six short poetry films by contemporary writers, all of whom have been part...

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 3w ago

The three poetry films discussed are based on poems by e e cummings, WB Yeats and John Glenday. Links to the films are on the SPL website.

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 4w ago

🎙️ NEW POETRY PODCAST The second episode of Nothing But The Film Poem podcast where @samueltongue.bsky.social from the SPL chats with poetry filmmaker Steve Smart @duntruner.bsky.social about 3 poetry films that caught their attention. www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/podcast/noth...

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 4w ago

🎙️ NEW POETRY PODCAST The second episode of Nothing But The Film Poem podcast where @samueltongue.bsky.social from the SPL chats with poetry filmmaker Steve Smart @duntruner.bsky.social about 3 poetry films that caught their attention. www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/podcast/noth...

Nothing But The Film Poem - Episode 2

The second episode of Nothing But The Film Poem podcast where Sam Tongue from the SPL chats with poetry filmmaker Steve Smart about 3 poetry films that caught their attention.

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · last mo.

A poetry-packed Robert Fergusson thread to celebrate his 276th birthday (which was on Saturday).

Association for Scottish Literature@asls.org.uk · last mo.

Daft gowk, in macaroni dress, Are ye come here to shaw your face, Bowden wi’ pride o’ simmer gloss, To cast a dash at Reikie’s cross… —“On Seeing a Butterfly in the Street”, by Robert Fergusson (1750–1774) – born #OTD, 5 Sept. In his short life he reinvigorated #poetry in Scots. A 🎂🧵 #C18

On Seeing a Butterfly in the Street Robert Fergusson Daft gowk, in macaroni dress, Are ye come here to shaw your face, Bowden wi’ pride o’ simmer gloss, To cast a dash at Reikie’s cross; And glowr at mony a twa-legg’d creature, Flees, braw by art, tho’ worms by nature? Like country laird in city cleeding, Ye’re come to town to lear’ good breeding; To bring ilk darling toast and fashion In vogue amang the flee creation, That they, like buskit belles and beaux, May crook their mou’ fu’ sour at those Whase weird is still to creep, alas! Unnotic’d ʼmang the humble grass; While you, wi’ wings new buskit trim, Can far frae yird and reptiles skim; Newfangle grown wi’ new-got form, You soar aboon your mither worm. Kind Nature lent but for a day Her wings to mak ye sprush and gay; In her habuliments a while Ye may your former sell beguile, And ding awa’ the vexing thought O’ hourly dwinin’ into nought, By beengin’ to your foppish brithers, Black corbies dress’d in peacock’s feathers; Like thee they dander here and there, Whan Simmer’s blinks are warm and fair, And lo’e to snuff the healthy balm, Whan E’enin’ spreads her wing sae calm; But whan she girns and glow’rs sae dour Frae Borean houff in angry show’r, Like thee they scour frae street or field, And hap them in a lyther bield; For they were never made to dree The adverse gloom o’ Fortune’s e’e, Nor ever pried life’s pinin’ woes, Nor pu’d the prickles wi’ the rose.
Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · last mo.

EXPRESSING THE EARTH As part of the Curious festival this award-winning documentary reflects on the life & work of Scottish poet and founder of the geopoetics community, Kenneth White. Followed by a Q&A with director Glenda Rome and producer Norman Bissell. Tickets: rse.org.uk/event/expres...

Expressing the Earth: Film screening

Join us for a special two-part event featuring an award-winning documentary exploring geopoetics.

rse.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · last mo.

🎙️ NEW SPL PODCAST! Its the 1st of the month which means our monthly poetry podcast NOTHING BUT THE POEM is let loose, this time with host @samueltongue.bsky.social taking a deep dive into two poems by the wonderful Imtiaz Dharker www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/podcast/noth...

Nothing But The Poem- Imtiaz Dharker

The SPL’s resident podcast host Sam Tongue takes a deep dive into two poems by one of Britain’s most beloved poets, Imtiaz Dharker. Imtiaz Dharker – a Pakistani-born poet who grew up in Glasgow, then ...

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

2026 DYMPHNA BURSARY It's back! A £2000 poetry bursary specifically for emerging poets resident in Scotland who identify as neurodivergent or have a learning disability. Deadline is National Poetry Day on Thur 1st Oct. Info can be found here: www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/dymphna-burs...

Dymphna Bursary (2026)

The Dymphna Bursary is awarded annually to a poet resident in Scotland who identifies as neurodivergent or has a learning disability

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🖋️ WILD WRITING The in-person course at the SPL is now sold out but there are still places on the 8 week online course for those who'd prefer to participate from the comfort of their own home. Starts 6pm, Tues 11th Aug. All the info is below: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-writi...

Wild Writing (online).

8 week online course with Lorna French: poetry-led, timed writing in a supportive small group. No judgement, just honest pages.

eventbrite.co.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

TOP 50 POEMS We've complied the 50 most visited poems on the Scottish Poetry Library website. One or two surprises and many old favourites... www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/2026/07/what...

What Are You Reading? Our 50 Most-Visited Poems

Every poem on our website has a life of its own once it leaves the shelf — some are visited a handful of times a year, others are read again and again, day after day. We recently took a look at a snap...

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk

Scottish Poetry Library@byleaveswelive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Welsh-Scottish poet RJ Arkhipov was appointed Poet-in-Residence for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The residency will place poetry at the heart of Glasgow 2026, inviting Arkhipov to respond to the people, places and stories of the Games. www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/2026/07/rj-a...

RJ Arkhipov appointed Poet-in-Residence for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Welsh-Scottish poet and writer RJ Arkhipov has been appointed Poet-in-Residence for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Delivered in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library, the residency will p...

scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk