Queer people have always existed. In every era, in every culture, even when the world around us refused to see it, we’ve been here. And wherever queer life was forced underground, queer language finds a way to surface. Sometimes it’s in coded gestures or private diaries. Sometimes in poems, letters, or novels that seemed innocent … Continue reading Queer people have always found each other
Tag: Poetry
Whitman’s Gospel of the Body: Queer, Democratic, and Sacred Flesh
I’ve been rereading Walt Whitman recently. He’s a good autumn read – heavy nature imagery and blatant queer joy, which is what I tend to crave this time of year. I will go to the bank by the wood and become undisguised and naked,I am mad for it to be in contact with me. Walt … Continue reading Whitman’s Gospel of the Body: Queer, Democratic, and Sacred Flesh
“Kill what you can’t save”
I'm a long time admirer of Margaret Atwood and her work, but I'm not as familiar with her early poetry, which I've only recently begun to delve into. Atwood the author behind The Handmaid's Tale, which was initially thought to be a dystopian novel but is actually a prophetic look into future of the U.S. … Continue reading “Kill what you can’t save”
“As small as a world…”
I have a chronic illness that impacts various organs - including my liver and kidneys. I fully understood that this was going to get worse, but it caught me off-guard a bit in August when my right kidney went a bit haywire and I needed two surgeries to fix it. Being able to tune out … Continue reading “As small as a world…”
Appetence
Defined as intense desire, strong appetite, a craving or an inclination. Appetence is the story of an awakening, a discovery, and a loss. One of its poems will be published in a literary journal in October. Currently revising the draft for submission. This narrative came out quickly and tore things up along the way. It's … Continue reading Appetence
“The misprint seemed meant for me.”
I've been thinking about Elizabeth Bishop's poem The Man-Moth, which is a really interesting poem but also has interesting origins: A typo from a newspaper- the writer meant to use the word mammoth. "The misprint seemed meant for me," she later explained. Inspiration is a slithering thing - you never know where it might be … Continue reading “The misprint seemed meant for me.”
Blow, blow thou winter wind
I remember being a choirgirl in the early 90s learning melancholy songs about winter and snow and slumber. 60+ kids from 9 to 18 years old would meet in a college classroom on Saturday mornings, but when we got closer to our concert dates, we'd meet in a rather non-descript chapel on a college campus … Continue reading Blow, blow thou winter wind
Poetry!
There's a lovely literary journal called Arkana - "a literary journal of mysteries and marginalized voices." And Issue 13, which I've linked to, features one of my poems entitled Sleeper. This poem actually started out as more than one poem that found their way together and merged into one. It was inspired in part by … Continue reading Poetry!
Quotes I have breathlessly admired
I've been pierced by a few quotes this summer. Some I read and reflect upon the way a religious person might reflect upon a scripture. Some describe my stories, or remind me of something, or are a lesson, or reflect something True. Here are a few of them... A quote that resonated with me personally. … Continue reading Quotes I have breathlessly admired
The Rose
It says a lot by saying very little.
