Tracey Herd

I always look for an Otwituary too. A busy period. I actually thought Joan Plowright was already deceased. It's terrible when you get to the age when you're not quite sure any more.
It's a beautiful tribute to a wonderful footballer. Some players are simply unforgettable.

I love this.

Good morning. These are beautiful pictures.
This is Bob at the living room window where he raps sharply to demand that the human moves to the kitchen serving hatch.
Service is always immediate.

It doesn't help that there's the disgusting energy drink semi finals chucked in. I'm so confused. All the kick off times are weird and I've just worked out it's Sunday. I could very happily see the back of the Nations League -chewing my nails and praying that no-one gets broken. Bah.

From 4 years ago. I must learn to relax.

What an amazing poet he was. The Saltire award was a fitting full stop to a remarkable, honour laden career. But in the end it's the poetry that matters and that will live on.

Nativity by John Burnside A spill of yew like Christ's blood in the snow; and somewhere in the hedge, just yards away, a fleck of presence waiting to be born. No angel at the gate. No guiding star. We make this world from gravity and light and we alone, God's grace by other means: a flock of redwings flitting through the fog, woodrush and fescue, wintergreen, Rose of Sharon.

A spill of yew
like Christ’s blood
in the snow;
and somewhere in the hedge,
just yards away,
a fleck of presence
waiting to be born…

—John Burnside, “Nativity”
published in RUIN, BLOSSOM (Penguin 2024)
#Christmas #poetry
www.penguin.co.uk/books/456120...

They'd similarly tried to "improve" Isabella Rossellini. (spelling dubious).
I once met someone in their late 50s whose 60 something partner was determined that she look 40. Luckily she left him. No matter what anyone says we live in an ageist society. I would love to be at peace with my face!

Filters always seem necessary. I remember someone telling me that the animated, 3D face in real life is so different to that in photos. It's a really good article. I read one about the craze for airbrushing in the 90s. Madonna had the crook of her elbow tweaked and her eyes whitened. It was scary.

I can't even bear to see my face in Zoom meetings. My mother was beautiful, although not as a person, and I suppose if you're told that you're plain as a child then it sticks. I've inherited my father's square jaw and I always turn my head away from candid pics. I think this is a common thing.

An #Otwituary for #PlaySchool presenter #JulieStevens

Here’s a house; here’s a door.
Here’s a woman; now no more.
Here’s the hour; here’s the day.
Here’s a game; let’s all play.
Here’s a child; watch him grow.
Here’s his life; let him go.

This is beautiful. No other words needed.

A young Elizabeth Hartman appeared in small theatre productions of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, & Tennessee William's The Glass Menagerie. I can't read either without her at my shoulder. The following quote could have come from the latter - vulnerable,shy, an apologetic half smile as she vanished ❤️

A very slow and spaced out one. Spaced out in both senses lol

I'm really bad at going to the cinema. Anything past 1960, except for Elizabeth Hartman films, is too modern for me! The last one I saw was Apollo which wasn't even a film film.
Actually I'm going to be totally honest and admit that it was sandwiched between Wonder Woman and Barbie...

I can't remember the last time I binge watched anything. Except for the football. That's one of the few things I actually watch on TV. And after some matches I think that's 90+ minutes of my life I won't get back.

A mix of the personal, poetry, and the reality "Breadwinner".

That's a beautiful poem. I love it. So much in it ❤️.

It probably makes you far right.

"Exceptional class."
Beautiful poem ❤️

It doesn't matter how old I get I still snigger at that. Every time.

"I was only 10 years old
but it seems like yesterday
when I first heard you on the radio..."
I heard this many years ago sung by the late Bill "Buddy" Gask. It's a cover & a tribute to Elvis. Elvis would have had the same sentiments & so would the singer(s) he admired.
It's a room I visit often.

Divided loyalties for The Saltire Poetry Book of the Year between Marjorie Lofti's The Wrong Person to Ask & John Burnside's Rain, Blossom, but I've loved John Burnside's work since the 1990s & was saddened by his early death. It's a fitting tribute to one of the finest poets of his generation ❤️

It was a genius idea for a book. I was proud to be a part of it. I was looking through Scotia Extremis the other day. Not your average poetry anthologies!

10 years ago. It can't be!
It's moments like that that writers live for. That was a well deserved shout out for a beautifully conceived and edited anthology.

The "film tie-in" edition from 6 decades ago. I had to buy it.

I love this, via @rachaelboast.bsky.social, fine advice for all poets from WS Graham

Beyond thrilled that The Wrong Person to Ask is shortlisted for the Saltire Prize Poetry Book of the Year with these giants!