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tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
@tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
34 followers 110 following 8 posts
Irish-American poet-writer-producer. Liminal. Dual citizen. Ancestor in training. Makes messes in kitchen.
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tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
Blooming 2026

At crocus eye level
Lying on my side
Needing their optimism
The warming of the ground
Helps too
April 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
In Chicago with @jama.com. My poem “By the Skin” on the cover.
Wow. Grateful.
The Chicago River, dyed green for SPD, was now brown. Yet I felt the magic of my Irish heritage and DNA that gave me fair skin.
Click here, see also Ed. Nt. at PDF link.
tinyurl.com/JAMA-By-the-...

#health #Irish #poetry
Last Friday I traveled to downtown Chicago and was presented with hard copies of the latest Journal of the American Medical Association, published three days earlier on St. Patrick’s Day. My poem that I posted about here recently, “By the Skin,” was listed on the cover index and printed within. Holding those JAMA copies in my hand, I felt a bit like Jessie Buckley or Michael B. Jordan accepting an Oscar, without the spangly designer togs. JAMA and its network of influential, specialty media represent the pinnacle of medical publishing. That JAMA published my poem is a wow moment for me. Very grateful to the editorial team at JAMA for guiding me through the submission and publication process. And to my family, friends – and dermatologist -- for encouraging my writing. Regrettably by Friday the nearby Chicago River, dyed emerald green for St. Patrick’s Day, had reverted to murky brown. But I still felt the magic of my Irish heritage and DNA that gave me fair, sensitive skin and writer sensibilities. You can view the poem and the companion Editor’s Note by clicking on the link provided, then clicking on the PDF link along the left margin. Thank you!
March 26, 2026 at 6:36 PM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
💚 Building St. Patrick's Day Parade floats with The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin. Did we use enough green? See you at the Post-Parade Party . . .
#Irish #StPatricksDay #Ireland #IrishArt
Jolly tinkers we are. We have tinkered a couple floats for the 2026 Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade. And the Post-Parade Party at the St. Brigid's Sunshine Center, where there's craic to be shared.
March 14, 2026 at 3:29 PM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
Very grateful to @jamanetworkopen.com, @jama.com for posting “By the Skin,” my poem that relives a post-Mohs surgery visit with dermatologist Dr. Ryan Sacotte. Also to Dr. Rafael Campo for his Editor’s Note, and this insight: “poetry can be invaluable to medicine. . .”

tinyurl.com/JAMA-By-the-...
The photo shows the poet/writer and Dr. Ryan Sacotte of Affiliated Dermatologists. Dr. Sacotte skillfully removed a small bump on my nose (Mohs surgery) and like a good golfer, replaced his divot. The tiny, suspicious bump was initially spotted by my primary care physician, Dr. Sara Bodenhamer of Froedert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, during an annual wellness visit. My insights/takeaways: Use sunscreen! Have those bumps on your skin checked out! #skincare #skincancerawareness #sunscreen #IrishSkincare #poetry
February 25, 2026 at 5:29 PM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
We Celts Connect: Enjoyed a sunny and warm Celtic welcome in Southwest Florida this past weekend.

First the 2026 Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival, Fort Myers.

Then Manatee Park where I met the local variation of selkies, the shape-shifting, mermaid-like creatures of Celtic mythology.
January 31, 2026 at 1:11 AM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
Here's a neo-neolithic orthostat in honour of the winter solstice and the passage tombs of Ireland. You can watch the winter solstice live (or later) from Newgrange, Co Meath at 8:40 am Dublin time on Sunday, December 21.
#newgrangesolstice @tourismireland.bsky.social

youtube.com/live/776csdo...
Here is a neo-neolithic orthostat in honour of the winter solstice and the passage tombs of Ireland.
December 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
tspurdy-writes.bsky.social
We hope you enjoy I Will Speak Your Name.

Although the poem references “The season of Samhain,” the Celtic festival for honouring ancestors, we can substitute ‘Remembering’. This opens us up to honouring loved ones whenever we grieve and need comfort.

www.ouririshheritage.org/content/arch...
“I Will Speak Your Name” is a poetic collaboration between Thomas Seán Purdy and Co. Offaly visual artist Emma Barone. Purdy’s writing and Barone’s illustration present visitors with a reflection on honouring and remembering loved ones whenever we grieve and need comfort.
December 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM