Check out featured poet Keith Newton at The Arts Fuse.
Thursday, July 09, 2026
Ha!
Even when I have Stone Soup off, I still can't start updating until after 9:00.
I need to up my game.
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
A Day of Firsts
Another first time contributor, poet Loki Kone, graces our site with photographer Bonnie Matthews Brock. Thank you for reading Oddball Magazine this Wednesday. We'll see you again soon.
Wednesday Abides
Poet Tabitha Morris gives us her first contribution for the morning alongside photographer Jennifer Matthews. Welcome to Wednesday over at Oddball Magazine.
A Moment of Comics
A group of white people with Superman powers trying to preserve their alleged genetic purity by plotting to destroy the planetary equivalent of the United Nations? How did comics suddenly get woke over thirty years ago? From Legionnaires #27, written by Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw (who also did coloring on the issue), penciled by Mike McCraw and inked by W.C. Carani.
American Haiku: Trump Does a Negotiation
When I started my Sarcastic Haiku series, I wrote my first American Haiku.
An American Haiku doesn't care about tradition, formality or history. it takes as long as it wants to make its point because America. You can read
others I've written since by clicking here and scrolling down.
American Haiku: Trump Does a Negotiation
It's deal and no deal!
Peaceful bombings continue
until America reenters World Cup!
until America reenters World Cup!
Zoom Drawing
No Stone Soup Poetry this week, so here's a depiction of regular Richard Spisak as drawn by Stone Soup sketch artist Jacklyn Bookshester.
Your Wednesday Morning Poetry
Pride Month is done, but I'd like to feature Emma Wells, a Pride staple at Oddball Magazine. Her poem "Fall" comes courtesy of Spillwords.
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Never Too Late
Patricia Carragon has an anti-ode to America turning a wizened 250. Glad to have photography paired paired with her work this Tuesday at Oddball Magazine.
This Week's Most Distinguished Network Names
It's amazing what people will name their online networks. I'm always trying to hijack Wi-Fi when I'm commuting, so I often come across a number of interesting names. Every Tuesday, I post the most impressive and/or cringe-inducing names.
 |
| Enough with the fantasy stuff! |
Monday, July 06, 2026
Busy Monday
A lot has happened while I was away. While I was away from the computer, John Patrick Robbins published my poem "Your Job That Will Be Erased" over at The Crossroads. Thanks to him and Crossroads readers.
Have a Flea-Filled Monday
"Retribution" is my latest poem for the micropoetry journal Five Fleas (Itchy Poetry). Glad to be in the Monday post with fellow poets Noah Berlatsky, Ruth Holzer, Marie Derley and many others. Thanks to Roberta Beach Jacobson for putting this group together.
Playing with Blocks
Another Anne Skove's comic on the (lack of) creative process in this week's "She Who Laughs Lasts." Read it now over at Oddball Magazine.
Aaaaahhh!
Post July Fourth Mike Mesterton-Gibbons gives us lighter subject matter for this Monday. Welcome to Oddball Magazine. It's like we never rest.
Red Burst
When I visit my Mom for July Fourth, we go watch the fireworks because they are literally walking distance from my childhood house. Normally, nearly all of my fireworks photos are subpar because I don't want to stand up and block people's views. Luckily, it started raining by the time the show started, so the field wasn't as packed. I took a few photos like this one that I'm happy with.
July 22: Marc Goldfinger Rides into Stone Soup
Poet, author, columnist and editor Marc Goldfinger has been a multiple time feature during my tenure at Stone Soup Poetry, and he has always been generous enough to share the spotlight with colleagues from fellow Boston poets to fellow members of the Highway Poets. This time, on July 22, we're giving Marc the full feature spotlight online. Join us for the local legend's performance.
Join us on Wednesday, July 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 832 0056 5037
Password: stonesoup
Sunday, July 05, 2026
July 15: Stone Soup and Mary Ann Honaker Return!
Join us on Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 859 5282 8229
Password: stonesoup
Late Wisdom
Bruce Wise's Wise Words column was lost and couldn't be put up on Friday. Putting his column in today as a late entry marks what might be the first time Oddball Magazine has published seven days in a row! History made!
Thanks for reading us this entire week.
Chad the Grad
Here is a still shot from Mom recording my graduation from Framingham Sate College back in [REDACTED]. I'm thinking of writing a story for The Moth about something that happened the day right after I graduated. Writing my intentions down now in the hopes of fulfilling them sooner rather than never.
Grab Your Shovels
Too many people who don't really understand journalism use the term "burring the lead."
From a recent Yahoo story, starting from the lead paragraph.
Donald Trump has hailed the "unmatched achievement and unlimited potential" of the US in a triumphalist address marking the country's 250th anniversary.
In a late-night campaign-style speech in Washington DC on Saturday, the US president claimed his country was "just getting started" as he vowed to take it "to new levels".
Celebrations have been marred by extreme weather, including a dangerous heatwave in recent days, and a passing storm that delayed Trump's speech. An apparent white nationalist march through the streets of Washington also caused alarm.
Folks, this is what's called "burring the lead."
Your Weekly Dose of God
Found another standard "God Bless America" pamphlet they print out every June. God better hurry up and bless us. I don't know how much longer we have.
Saturday, July 04, 2026
Lament
Jon Wesick shares his recent work to close out our holiday posting. Thanks to him and to Eric N. Peterson for being our artistic MVP. Thanks to everyone reading Oddball Magazine this extended week.
Birthday Thoughts
Jackie Oldham is the first poet with a special entry this Fourth of July. Thanks to her and artist Eric N. Peterson. Enjoy special holiday content at Oddball Magazine.
My Saturday Haiku for Bluesky, 7-4-26
On the Fourth, we now
keep a look out for fire
above and below.
Happy Happy Happy! Joy Joy Joy?
Thanks to James Penha for publishing my poem "Department of Justice Releases America’s 250th Birthday Song" in The New Verse News on this Fourth of July.
American Haiku: 250th Anniversary Edition
When I started my Sarcastic Haiku series, I wrote my first American Haiku.
An American Haiku doesn't care about tradition, formality or history. it takes as long as it wants to make its point because America. You can read
others I've written since by clicking here and scrolling down.
American Haiku: 250th Anniversary Edition
Moment of silence
is reserved for the losers.
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Friday, July 03, 2026
July 8: Stone Soup Poetry Takes a Break
The week of July 8 is one of those rare times I take a break.
I'll be back on July 15 with special feature Mary Ann Honaker.
Hope to be back refreshed and ready for the rest of the summer.
My Friday Evening Music
One more from Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad album. I wasn't sure what song to include, but then I found out Rick Moranis was in the video for "Tomorrow's Girls." Truly a summer song. Be safe this weekend.
Tonight: First Fridays Youth Open Mic with Ricky Shah
Held at the First Baptist Church on 633 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. Doors open at 7:00. Click here for more info.
Same Ole
Janet Cormier with words on one facet of the American spirit.
Bamboozled No More! is up for Friday at Oddball Magazine.
At Work
I think my output always increases around July Fourth.
I think it’s because my schedule opens up so much after my girlfriend starts her summer break.
It makes me very happy.
Birthday Eve
"One Choice is my latest From Picture to Page poem. Join my Patreon (even as a free subscriber) to read it.
My Friday Morning Music
It's weird to think of a song like "Snowbound" from Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad album as a summer song, but I do.
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