Sunday, 5 October 2025

The Poems: Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey

Title: Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey. Cover: Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey from the web Printed by Retro Overflow Pamphlet no 214 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall see www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes, set up and edited by Pauline Cordiner, storyteller Some of these poems were read at Aberdeen university’s Wayword festival, and at the Doric Festival in the city at St Margaret’s Kirk. The poem, Robert Fergusson, was published in ‘O’er a’ my labours sey your skill’: Poetic Responses to Robert Fergusson (9781739207762) , Taproot Press. Marking two hundred and fifty years since the death of Robert Fergusson, this collection of poems in Scottish, English and Gaelic from Scotland’s most celebrated writers and emerging poets alike evoke his enduring impact upon their work. Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for setting up and editing the linked in version, and for her three poems, of which she writes: ‘I’ve long lamented the beauty in the change of our seasons. With each arrival igniting memories within my soul of days gone by and hopes of new seasons to come. These seasons that merge seamlessly together, echo the seasons and chapters of my life, and the colours and richness in contrast, make me embrace the detail in the delicate balance of time that nature offers.Red, my colour of connection can be found in them all – September, the season of my birth, and in the summer days with my daughter I love and live for.’ Many poems were written on a trip to the Fort William-Mallaig area in late September inspired by that Highland area. Sheena Blackhall copyright October 2025

Tuesday, 9 September 2025

The Poems Teasag

Acknowledgements.Title: Teasag Cover : photograph courtesy of Catriona Low.‘Teasag's dad (Torquil) was confirmed as a Scottish Wildcat Hybrid in 2024. He remains elusive, successfully evading all attempts at capture, thus retaining the facility to create little replicas of himself. But for Scottish Wildcats, hybridisation with domestic cats is the major threat to their survival. This means the extinction of the species is highly likely without wildcat releases. Trapping and neutering feral cats is highly recommended, though more easily said than done in the case of Teasag and her family. For more information about Scottish Wildcats and how you can help them visit Scottish Wildcat Action: https://www.savingwildcats.org.uk/about-saving-wildcats/’ Catriona Low Some poems are inspired by artists in Cromar featured in the NEOS North East Open Studios 13th-21st September 2025. Other poems were inspired by artists in the Aberdeen Art Fair (August 29-31st 2025) Printed by Retro Overflow Pamphlet no 213 Sheena Blackhall September 2025 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall see www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes, set up and edited by Pauline Cordiner, storyteller Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for setting up and editing the linked in version, and for her fifty word stories featured in this pamphlet.

Sunday, 10 August 2025

The Poems: The Boat People

Acknowledgements:Title: The Boat People.Front Cover : Detail of Charon’s Ferry from Michaelangelo’s Last Judgement, Printed by Retro Overflow Pamphlet no 212 Sheena Blackhall August 2025 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall see www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes, edited by Pauline Cordiner, storyteller Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for her poem , The Artist’s Way. The Artist’s Way is a programme and path, written by Julia Cameron, to tap into your creativity and unlock your artistic potential. Kenna Anderson’s reflective poem was written on completion of the 12 week programme in the summer of 2025.

Friday, 25 July 2025

The Poems: The Octopus

Title: The Octopus Front Cover : Free Pik Printed by Retro Overflow Sheena Blackhall July 2025 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall see www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com An Alternative Tour Guide tae Caledonia was commissioned by the Scottish Poetry Library to celebrate ‘Gie’s a Scots Poem Day’. Splice the Mainbrace was written to celebrate the visit of the Tall Ships to Aberdeen on July19th-22nd, based on the shanty tune of Leave her Johnny. Aa or naethin Day was published in the P & J’s Doric Corner on July 26th.http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes.Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for her poem Always Belong from her collection And On We Grow. One of the core themes in her book is the journey of motherhood.

Monday, 2 June 2025

The Poems Knife Angel pamphlet no 210

Title: Knife Angel (Pamphlet no 210) Front Cover : The Knife Angel sculpture was created by artist Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre. It's a tour that travels the UK, aiming to raise awareness about knife crime and violence. The sculpture is made from over 100,000 knives collected from knife amnesty bins across the UK. Printed by Retro Overflow, Sheena Blackhall May/June 2025 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall seeww w.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com.http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes.Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for her short story, A Reason, a Season, and a Lifetime .. A Reason, a Season and a Lifetime, is included in the Scottish Book Trust's 2025 campaign on Friendship, and is featured in her second collection ‘And on we Grow’. May/June 2025 Limited print run of 50 copies

Sunday, 20 April 2025

The Poems Stottin Cats

Acknowledgements Title: (Pamphlet no 209) Stottin Cats Front Cover : craiyon_1983818_medieval_woodcut_of_cat_sleeping Published by Malfranteaux Concepts Printed by Retro Overflow Sheena Blackhall March -April 2025 For more information on publications by Sheena Blackhall see www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/index/html. www.poemhunter.com. http://smiddleton4.wix.com/sheena-blackhall. An interview in podcast form with the poet appears on http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/connect/podcast/sheena-blackhall https://sheenablackhall.wordpress.com/ showcases over 2,000 poems in themes.Easter Beasties, Bogles, an Eggies was published in the Doric Column of the P & J in April.Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for her short story Magic in the Mountains March-April 2025 Limited print run of 50 copies The Kattenstoet (lit. 'Festival of the Cats') is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the cat. It has been running regularly since 1955 and is usually held triennially on the second Sunday of Lent. The parade commemorates an Ypres tradition from the Middle Ages in which cats were allegedly thrown from the belfry tower of the Cloth Hall to the town square below.

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

The poems The Cloud Spikks

Acknowledgements Title:(Pamphlet no 208) The Cloud Spikks front Cover : Wanderer above the Sea of Fog Casper David Friedrich Published by Malfranteaux Concepts Printed by Retro Overflow Sheena Blackhall February 2025 Snaa was commissioned by Scots Radio. Thanks are due to Malfranteaux Concept for publishing this volume, and to guest writer Kenna Anderson for her short story Judge & Jury Feb 2025 Limited print run of 50 copies