Monday, June 29, 2026
Timber
A tree falls and Mike Mesterton-Gibbons writes about it. Welcome to Monday at Oddball Magazine.
My Monday Morning Music
For a change, I'm focusing on an album from my young summer days. Kamakiriad by Donald Fagen was introduced to me by my then-girlfriend during my senior year at college. It became an unofficial soundtrack for the last part of my year and the summer. I recommend the album, especially if you're a Steely Dan fan. Here's the first of a selection of songs from the album.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Can't Keep Up
A still shot of Deta dancing back in 2019. I hope to make the video more available. You couldn't keep up with Deta Galloway then, and honestly you can't now.
Your Weekly Dose of God
A bag of religious paraphernalia I found just lying on the sidewalk. The card with the cross right on the bag starts with the words: "Somebody loves you - more than you know."
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Remembering Deta Galloway
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| Deta with Toni Bee at her RE/Max Destiny Gallery opening |
There are many women poets at Stone Soup Poetry who took on motherly roles on the open mic, presenting their best selves that urged the unruly rabble of males to do better.
There was Joanna Nealon, who I proclaimed the First Lady of Stone Soup. Carol Weston was dubbed (again by me) as Our Lady Queen of Stone Soup.
The recently departed Deta Galloway--poet, artist, singer--certainly served as a mother figure to some but seemed to me more of the fun aunt in our makeshift poetry family, just as likely to share wisdom with the younger members as she was to be up and partying with them.
Unacceptable
I am furious to report that poet, artist and friend Deta Galloway passed away in Boston two days ago.
This is devastating news for what's been for many a horrific year.
This ever darkening world has lost another of its beacons.
My Saturday Haiku for Bluesky, 6-27-26
Morning breaking in,
birdsong repelled away by
arguing neighbors.
Friday, June 26, 2026
My Friday Evening Music
HummusVacuum closes out the week (finally). I'm heading off to dinner and bed.
Leave Them Be
I've spent years writing about how the time pigs annoy me.
No more.
I refuse to give them anymore power over me.
The latest time pigs have left.
New time pigs will come and go.
Moving forward, I'm ignoring them as best I can.
They can go to hell.
But then, they're already there, aren't they?
Next Friday: 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.
Leopards Eating Faces Update!
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Marjorie Pezzoli Features at Stone Soup Poetry, 6-24-26
From this week's online gathering. Thanks to Marjorie for a wonderful ending to June. That's right, as far as I'm concerned, June is done. See you July First.
Sure June
Another month down, a hotter summer still ahead of us. Thanks to everyone who came out for Stone Soup yesterday, and thanks to Marjorie Pezzoli for a wonderful feature. Stay tuned for more Stone Soup news.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
It's Finally Over!
It's a miracle I got through today.
Now I have the night to look forward to.
Marjorie Pezzoli is tonight's feature.
Let's make her first time at our venue a good one.
Paid in Full
Read this wonderful story by Ashley Mangtani with artwork by Robert Fleming.
This closes out our Pride Month's worth of Wednesday.
Thank you for reading Oddball Magazine today.
Last Pride Wednesday?
I want to continue pride themed submissions beyond June. For now we have nonfiction by Meredith Aristone with photography by Jennifer Matthews to start today off at Oddball Magazine.
Chase the wild Goose
Boston poet and past Stone Soup feature Kevin Gallagher brings his work to this week's Lyrical Somerville. Read it now at The Somerville Times.
Not Sure
You know the world is crazy when you see graffiti on a topic, and you can't tell if the person who wrote it is for or against it.
A Moment of Comics
Last year in 2025's Marvel United: A Pride Special, there was a tribute to Arnie Roth, a gay supporting character of Captain America created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Mike Zeck during their run on the title in the eighties. The page is from "My Buddy" in Marvel United, written by Anthony Oliveira with artowrk by Pablo Collar and Michael Wiggam.
American Haiku: Waving a Finger
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: Waving a Finger
some thousands of bombs later.
They are heroes. They are heroes.
They are heroes. They are heroes.
Your Wednesday Morning Poetry
You deserve a modern poet for Pride Month. So here's the stunning "Ravens Aren’t Songbirds, and We’ll Never Meet Again" from the latest issue of beestung.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Something to Say
Jason Wright is ready with another Jagged Thoughts poem column for Oddball Magazine.
Fireside Chats
Poet Scott Taylor is up with artist Mark Blickley with a fitting Tuesday entry for Oddball Magazine.
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.
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| I'm sorry, but the best breed is, in fact, the pug. |
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