May Contain Traces of Me, Part Five: You Too Can Cut People Off. Read it on my Patreon.
Chad Parenteau: Poet For Hire
The Blog
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Hi, Ernie!
This Week's Most Distinguished Network Name
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.
| I thought last week was the last internet pun for a while. I was wrong. |
Monday, July 20, 2026
This One Too! This One Too!
John Patrick Robbins also edits and publishes the journal Drinkers Only.
Again, send your poems to him at whotheduckistheeditor@gmail.com
Submit! Submit!
Submit to John Patrick Robbins' journal The Crossroads when you can.
Write to editor John Patrick Robbins at whotheduckistheeditor@gmail.com
Best Take Ever!
Cartoonist Anne Skove takes on a recent hit movie in this week's comic.
Read "She Who Laughs Lasts." Up now at Oddball Magazine.
Like Cattle
Good Bloom
I think this is the longest our hydrangea have lasted in one summer without wilting. Thankful for the rain we've had.
This Week's Friendly Reminder
From the Tres Gatos book and record store/cafe. I this age where corporations are eliminating physical media, it's more important than ever to support local stores that stock and sell it.
My Monday Morning Music
Continuing to focus of work from artists who are still alive. Sleeps With Angels came out from Neil Young and Crazy Horse in 1994. This was the first release from the album.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
News from the Front, 7-19-26: I Got Nothing
We report the news then make up stuff that will probably happen.
Jack Powers as a Meanie Poet
Without getting into too much detail, I came into some artifacts of Stone Soup Poetry founder Jack Powers, which include publications his work appeared in. I remember this issue of Meanie from the spring of 1998. Sadly, I probably had to lose this during one of my many moves.
The State of Me on a Sunday
The more I practice self-care by going to the doctor, the older I look and feel. Today, the similarities between me and my father are undeniable even to myself.
Your Weekly Dose of God
Haven't been around the city very much outside of work to record anything. Here's a dose of heavy metal "Christian Metalcore" to fill the void of no ideas this week.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Bursting Back
I am once again grateful to Don Kingfisher Campbell for including my poem "Full" in his latest Four Feathers Press anthology Burst. Good to be back amongst so many friendly and familiar faces.
Friday, July 17, 2026
My Friday Evening Music
While I always preferred the long version of "Toltal Eclipse of the Heart," I have to include the music video version of this song. This has everything you'd expect in a video. Did I see ninjas too? RIP Bonnie Tyler. It didn't take many songs on the radio to make you immortal.
My Friday Morning Music
My Bonnie Tyler tribute continues now and concludes later with the most obvious picks. How many movies has this song been featured in, and it never got old.
Leopards Eating Faces Update!
Yes, Reverend, Trump "betrayed" you (as much as someone who made his evil intentions clear can possibly betray you when they're being obviously and honestly evil), but you fed your congregation to the leopards yourself. You betrayed them even more, and you deserve the leopards you get.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Yep, I Wrote That!
My poem "All F--ked Out" (yes, really) is published today over at Drinkers Only. Thanks to John Patrick Robbins for publishing something different of mine.
Cold Air Blows In
James Van Looy gives us a more wintry poem with this week's poem column.
Read It's All One Thing, up now at Oddball Magazine.
Mary Ann Honaker Features at Stone Soup Poetry, 7-15-26
From this week's online gathering. Thanks to Mary Ann Honaker for a wonderful feature with work from her latest collection. You can pre-order it now.
Hello Again
Stone Soup is back and we returned in style. Thanks so much to Mary Ann Honaker for featuring last night. Be sure to support her by purchasing her latest collection, Night is Another Realm Altogether. Be back next week for special feature Marc Goldfinger.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
I Knew Today Was Going to be Brutal
At least I can get ready for Stone Soup Poetry's return tonight.
Mary Ann Honaker is tonight's special feature.
I hope you join us.
Keeping Allies Close
Strangers in the Same Place
It's Your Patriotic Duty This Month
Read poetry and reviews, in the July issue of North of Oxford by Editors Diane Sahms and g emil reutter.
While you're at it, read the review of reutter's Making America Sad Again – Trump and the Sycophants over at the GAS: Poetry Art and Music website.
A Moment of Comics
I have to admit I've been enjoying the crossover specials between Marvel and DC Comics. It's nice seeing comics created by writers and artists who aren't "company men" obsessed with brand loyalty or having one character one-up the other. How can that exist anymore in this age? Anyway, here's a page from the story "Our Kryptonite," written by Brad Meltzer and drawn by Pepe Larraz.
American Haiku: One Perfect Follow-Up After Another
Your Wednesday Morning Poetry
To mark Lindsey Graham's death, here is a brutal and necessary poem by Mohammed El-Kurd. Read "Tonight We Die as a Family" over at The Poetry Society.
























