Final Found Piece of 2017 Up

My last found poem of fake news is up now at Medium.

Dear 2017

Eat a dick. 


This message was scheduled to post on December 31st all the way back in April, confident my message wouldn't change. 

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017:My Special Place

This "shadow selfie" was taken just as I was leaving my special, secret place, which I gave you all a peek of last year. That's all  your getting. I don't want to risk losing this spot where I can write and work with no interruptions save what I allow.

So much good work was done in that place. I put together my manuscript and also wrote and/or edited so many poems. I had other places to work throughout the year, but I couldn't have gotten as much work done without this little hideaway.

A friend of mine recently linked an article about how people helped themselves in 2017 according to their zodiac signs. For example, the article said that if you were a Taurus (which I am), you stopped trying to help others (particularly those who didn't want to be helped) and took care of yourself. And while I didn't go full Ayn Rand, I did take more care of myself in 2017 than I have in previous years, setting more time aside for my written work.

It paid off. I have more poems written and edited, ready to be sent out and be published (many already in play). I have a book coming out in 2018. I will be back in  my special place as soon as the new year is underway with the intent of trying to put together at least one more collection of poetry.

I plan to do more on top of that, but I'll keep that to myself for now. 

I'm thankful for my time with those I care about, which, if you're reading this, likely includes you. However, without time to myself, I'd have much less to show to you throughout the year.

Thanks to all of you for reading my work these past twelve months. I hope the rest of you had as good a year as you possibly could under the circumstances. Please take care of yourselves as 2017 draws to a close.

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: Girlfriend and Molly

They are camera shy, so I won't put their pics here for all to see. Still, this list of gratitude would be ridiculous if it didn't include them.

People I'm Grateful for in 2017:Mom and Smokey

Does Smokey count as people? He stays with my Mom most of the time now, so I'm counting him as people.

Mom and Smokey both lost loved ones over the past few years. They spend a lot of time together now and have been very good for each other.

With my added responsibilities, it's hard to be a super son these days and always be there, so I'm glad my Mom has someone that she can talk to. And we all know that through my years of documentation that Smokey is an excellent listener.

I'm so glad these two are still in my life.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017: Political Demonstrations

I am thankful for every demonstration I was able to make this year. If I have my way, in 2018, I will attend even more, as many as I can, until America is on the track to positive change once again.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017: Stone's Throw

The people I've met. The colleagues I continue to work with. the work they send. I'm thankful that so any of them trust me with their words and images. I'll keep this little literary oddity going for as long as I am able. I've been blessed to put together some amazing stuff. Read all six issues if you don't believe me.

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: Janet Cormier

Janet is one of the people I brought into Oddball Magazine. Her column Bamboozled No More! is still going strong and has one of the strongest followings among the columns. For 2018, I hope more of her work comes out in more venues than Oddball.

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: James Van Looy

James has been loyal almost to a fault when it comes to supporting my hosting and organizing Stone Soup. I'm so happy he was able to not only maintain his regular spot on the open mic but also provide a great feature to close out Stone Soup's tenure at Out of The Blue and also maintain his Oddball Magazine column It's All One Thing, now in it's fourth year.

Whatever I do in 2018 with Oddball or Stone Soup, I hope James remains a constant. 

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017: Oddball Magazine

While Oddball has been a constant in my life six days a week for the last four years, for part of that time it felt like I was trudging through a bit. It took a while, but I found my stride and was able to help initiate some special sections and "event" poetry that made the journal feel a little fresher than it has in a long time. I hope to do more of that next year.

Jason Wright (who I am always grateful for) has been generous with letting me do my crazy ideas. You may even see a little more of my work in the journal in 2018. 

Later Today

Be on the watch for the final posts for what I'm grateful for in 2017.

I'll be finishing up around noon, as I have to go out to see friends and family this New Year's Eve. My mom's internet is busted at her place, so any posting I do for the rest of the day will be spotty.

If you think I missed you in my list, you are probably right, and I am sorry. I resolve to make it up to you in 2018.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017: The City

I'm thankful for finally hankering down and taking more opportunities to photograph the city.

Maybe I'll take a photography class this year if they accept students with dated iPhones.

It's getting harder and harder to live in the city, but I'm still here. And I'm going to continue to document my time here as much as I can to let them know I'm not leaving yet.

A Familiar Street in the Wintertime

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: Mignon Ariel King

For the last two years, Mignon as a publisher and editor was the advocate of my work I thought I would never have.

Because of her support, I've gotten both more work in print and a Pushcart nomination under my belt.

This past year, we have been slowly but surely putting together my book, which will see print in 2018.

I can't thank her enough for entertaining all my emails, especially the back and forth over the title, which I'll finally announce next year.

Where We Went Last Night Told in WCW Form

so much depends
upon

planet head
mascot

warming up
crowd for

the Harlem Globe-
trotters

Speaking of the Internet

If the internet becomes inaccessible, maybe graffiti will make a comeback.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017: The Internet

The internet has been a boon to my writing and my overall existence over the last seventeen years. I hope it can still stay in my life in 2018. I hope you can join in and help this be a reality and click this page to find out what you can do.

Best Sign Ever

Now I need a group Agitators for Ideals to emerge in 2018.

How about a role-playing tabletop game: deals and Agitators?

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: Zachary Bos

As I said in earlier posts, hosting Stone Soup was tough this year. Thanffully, Zachary Bos has a way of easing the poetic burdens of people like me by introducing them to fantastic new voices.

This year alone, thanks to Zach I met so many people from Russell Bennetts to  Melissa Castillo-Garsow to Vlad Savich. It really helped to revitalize me for this last stretch of the year.

Another resolution is to work with him much more--and anyone he introduces me to--in 2018. 

People I'm Grateful for in 2017: Cesar Valtierra

Cesar hasn't appeared in Oddball Magazine very much this year, but when he has, he usually creates artwork for a very specific piece. It's only my lack of organization this year that this didn't happen more. It led to some of my favorite posts this year. One of my new resolutions includes to make sure this talent shows up in Oddball more.

Fake Snowman Gets Real

One more from Southie.

If You Still Find It Comfortable, It's Yours

Taken (the picture, not the sofa) in South Boston.

Poetry: The Art of Words in January!

Information courtesy of Jack Scully.

Tomorrow Night: The Expresso Yourself Coffeehouse,

More info here.

People I'm Grateful For in 2017: Toni Bee

In a year where I was of a much lower profile (even compared to other low profile years), anytime I had a memorable poetry event, Toni Bee was connected to it. She helped take up the mantle of Stone Soup host in late 2016 and never stopped supporting me when I came back.

I am very blessed to know Toni. Whatever projects I'm up to in 2018, they will always be better if she's a part of them.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2017; Stone Soup

The love keeps coming in for Stone Soup since we had our last show at Out of The Blue Art Gallery, with everyone wondering when it's going to come back. I am working on this and hope to have an announcement by next week.

I thank everyone who attended or featured at the Stone Soup readings this year, as this was the most difficult year ever to hold it due to lower turnouts, a lot of poets having to step away for personal reasons, and a sad turning point for the gallery.

Stone Soup definitely serves a purpose in my life, and while I needed a rest, I know that it needs to come back in some form. Hopefully, you will find the next chapter of Stone Soup in 2018 exciting.

Final Wisdom

Bruce Wise closes out 2017 with Wise Words at Oddball Magazine. 

People I'm Grateful For in 2017: Adric Giles

I owe a great debt to Adric for the great artwork he provided for two issues of Stone's Throw. The #TrumpDump issue that was #4 is indeed his crowning achievement. If he doesn't get around to selling this as a t-shirt in 2018 and making a million bucks, there is no justice.

Closing Out 2017

Janet Cormier's Bamboozled No More! gives us her last column of the year. Fittingly, it has it's eye on the new year. If you need suggestions for resolutions, read her now at Oddball Magazine.

Stone's Throw #6 is Out

The last issue of Stone's Throw is out today. It's only been a month since the last one, but I wanted to have a sixth issue to close out the year. I thank everyone who contributed work throughout this past year. It's been fantastic publishing all of you.

“I Keep on Going, Guess I’ll Never Know Why” is the title/theme for Stone's Throw #6. You can download it here.

Big kudos to Adric Giles for going through with my idea for the cover. It's definitely a great follow-up to the #TrumpDump cover to Stone's Throw #4.

I have a poem to kick things off. Then you can get to the work by Elizabeth Hanson, Deta Galloway, Zachary Bos, Abagail Petersen, Liza Zayas, Melissa Silva, Laurel Lambert, Rene Schwiesow and Ron Goba.

If this is your first time hearing about Stone's Throw, I recommend clicking this page to download the rest.

Things I'm Grateful For in 2017: Politics Means Politics

Many thanks to Politics Means Politics for approaching me to feature my work on their site. My #arewegreatyet columns were both a challenge and a thrill to write.

T.G.I.F.

With a new year coming, maybe we need to change "fast" to "finally" for 2018?

Art by DL Polonsky

Happy 2018 from Liza Zayas

The Underground Garden one more time for 2017. Read and enjoy one more time this year at Oddball Magazine.

A Fairytale of New York

Jame Van Looy's latest story of Bill Barnum is his latest poem column. Read It's All One Thing today at Oddball Magazine.

Tell-Tale Inklings #3 is Out Now

Mignon Ariel King just released the third issue of this poetry journal from her Tell-Tale Chapbooks imprint.

Two of my Stone Soup Croutons poems ("Stamp" and "Open Mic Songs of Self," no longer available online) appear here.

I'm included among a number of writers new to me and old colleagues, which always makes me happy. And it's got a great cover by Stephan Antsey.

As always, I am grateful to Mignon for her support.

You can purchase it here.

Closing Time

Alexa Findlay gives us the last Wednesday poem of the year with art by Bill Wolak. Thanks for all your contributions to Oddball Magazine in 2017. We hope you send and many new voices send more.

The Poetry Continues

Let's bring up poet Cliff Saunders and photographer Jennifer Matthews for the last Wednesday of 2017 at Oddball Magazine.

I'm Determined

Stone's Throw comes out Friday. Whether I like it or now (I'll probably like it).

Build a New You in 2018

Here's Flemmings Beaubrun to help you get closer to a fitter you. It's this week's Epic Autism Report today at Oddball Magazine.

One More Holiday Note to Play

Here's Jason Wright's last Jagged Thought of the year, up now at Oddball Magazine.

Post-Christmas Poetry

Is it wrong to post a sunny photo with a poem today? Hell with it. I'm doing it anyway.

Read poet Thomas O’Connell, who is graced by photography by Ira Joel Haber. Join me in the post-Christmas recovery today at Oddball Magazine.

Happy Boxing Day

Go back and read all the pieces from The Christmas Wars last week at Oddball Magazine. 

Read and Listen to It Today

Jason Wright's seventh annual reading of his poem "The Lonely Boy on Christmas" now has the video posted. Experience both now at Oddball Magazine. 

Merry Christmas from Bill Harvey

It's another holiday edition of "The Odds" comic strip, up today (with perfect timing) at Oddball Magazine.

Best Wishes

One more from last night in Southie.

On Broadway

One last try to photograph the tree.

The Night Before...

An empty Southie street on Christmas Eve.

The Alaska is on Fire!

A scene from our Christmas Eve dinner at The Oceanaire Seafood Room.

Smokey as Santa 2017

Green Line in Black and White

The sparse Green Line on the Friday before Christmas.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-Five BONUS

A few holidays ago, my girlfriend and her daughter were playing around with JibJab and using pictures of me and Smokey to try and make an ecard.

JibJab made a sample, and they just recorded the sample via cell phone camera without having to pay.

I loved their shrewdness as much as I loved the thought.

I have had the video. I am finally posting it here for posterity.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-Five

You know me. You know what I like to do. Lets open the presents and dance.

Elf Self

My girlfriend created this with us, her daughter, and her daughter's dad, courtesy of an OfficeMax app.

Not Christmas Yet

It's not Christmas until I go to sleep and wake up again.

Happy Birthday Rachel McKibbens

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-Four

Heading out soon to see my Mom. Something Boston-centric but more uplifting.

A Ghost of Christmas Past

This is the last Christmas card my sister ever sent out.

I always tried to take pictures of Smokey in a Santa hat, but for some reason, they were never used and instead a hat was put in with Photoshop.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-Three

Been feeling depressed since yesterday, so I'm posting this.



Should have posted this on day 20.

Happy Holidays

For Oddball's last offering this week, here's the annual offering of "The Lonely Boy on Christmas," a poem by our Editor Jason Wright. Thanks for reading Oddball Magazine today and throughout the year.

Last Salvo

Joseph S. Pete gives us the last of the Christmas Wars pieces (but not the last piece of the week) with artwork with our other artist MVP, Lisa Bolduc. Check it out now at Oddball Magazine. 

James Van Looy at Stone Soup, 11-27-17

After our feature brings down the house, it's up to James Van Looy to bring it back up and give us a moment of silence, bringing up absent friends.

Merry Trumpmas?!?

Jacques Fleury writes about celebrating the holidays in the time of Trump. It includes a photo/text collaboration by Mark Blickley and Katya Shubova. A lot to unpack here. Read the latest Three Cents commentary column by Jacques now at Oddball Magazine. 

Elizabeth Gordon McKim Features at Stone Soup, 11 27 17

Because i'm still waiting back from certain parties, it looks like The last Stone Soup at Out of The Blue will be the last Stone Soup for 2017.  But thanks to Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Stone Soup ended perfectly this year.

Happy Birthday Jesus and Stalin (wait, what?)

Bruce Wise's Wise Words poem column is up now at Oddball Magazine.

Carol Weston at Stone Soup, 11-27-17

Carol Weston is like a ball of fire erupting in slow motion. She starts slow, and however close or far away you are from her, you can't help but sit and gaze just to see how it unfolds. It was fitting that she was at Stone Soup Poetry's last day at the Out of The Blue.

A Despicable Sequel I Could Get Behind

Read Janet Cormier's Bamboozled No More! today at Oddball Magazine.

Toni Bee at Stone Soup, 11-27-17

For Stone Soup's last night at the OOTB, Toni killed it on the open mic. On top of that she flattered me tremendously by reciting one of my poems as if it was her own. I was embarrassed but oh so grateful.

Got This in The Mail

Lee Varon's new poetry collection is out now and available to order from Finishing Line Press.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-Two

 For those who are anticipating (and dreading) their time with family this holiday weekend.



Also: I know a lot of people don't like CinemaSins, but this is worth looking at just at minute 6:07 alone.

T.G.I.F.

Maybe as a last minute Christmas present?

Art by DL Polonsky

A Moment of Quiet, Please...

To follow up on this morning's post, I don't want my intent to seem like I want another total white out of snow like in 2015.

Not entirely, at least. Just a little...

I've been thinking about the 2015 Boston Blizzard. It took a lot out of everyone I knew. My mom in particular suffered more than anyone I know. Her house suffered so much water damage, she had to have all two rooms of her house (and the roof) done over. She couldn't sleep in her own home until nearly a year later. Her house is ready to take on the next disaster, but I don't even want her to deal with anything close to that winter for the rest of her life.

Still, the quiet...

For all the shoveling I had to do, I just remember the days at my work being so peaceful. The exact opposite of what they are now.

Where I work, the concept of snow days does not exist. I've had a string of jobs like that since my twenties. Until April, the last time I ever had a snow day was my first job as a waiter during the April Fool's blizzard of 1997. It was the first time a job has ever called me to not come in. Even during graduate school, any storm weather usually cleared up by nighttime, so I had no excuses.

April 1997. That was it.

Any other time there is a storm in Boston, I'm in the thick of it, getting to work as on time as I can.

Until 2015, when the blizzard first broke.

It was scary to be ordered to stay home for my own safety (for a day), but also nice. Sick, huh?

And while I envied my teacher girlfriend and her daughter for both being able to stay home from school the net day, when I got to work,it was slow enough that I felt like I could breathe and pause to think. Maybe even jot down my thoughts as absolutely nothing was happening.

That doesn't seem to happen very much anymore. Society says to take time off,  but anyone who works knows how society makes you pay for choosing to be away for a while. It's almost as if you have to sneak in your real vacation time in between your work days and your so called "time off" which feels less like rest and more like extra work.

To quote Bob Black, free time is just time the company doesn't pay you for. 

Unless nature intervenes.

I don't want the weather damage. I don't want the extra hour or more of commute time. I would even be okay if I never had the opportunity to film a snowstorm ever again.

I just want a little quiet time to come my way.

Keep Being Good

Read Liza's latest piece for The Underground Garden, "Cheek to Cheek," up now at Oddball Magazine.

For Them

In a time when the so-called American leaders have forgotten about the people they serve (or, in the case of the recent tax bill, even openly mocked them), it's time for a poem about the forgotten by James Van Looy.

Read "The People," the latest It's All One Thing poem column, up now at Oddball Magazine.

Happy Winter Solstice

Come, snowmageddon, come.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty-One

Some levity today. Thanks, Nostalgia Critic.

Closing Out the Day

Patricia Gomes is our closer today, joined by artist Lisa Bolduc (hi, Ratty!). Thanks for reading our Christmas Wars posts at Oddball Magazine.

Susan Tepper returns to our website with another fiction piece. And while I don't normally feature an artist twice in the same day--let alone the same week--Dr. Regina Valluzzi earns her MVP award yet again with both her art pieces today. Check both Valluzzi and Tepper out now with another installment of The Christmas Wars today at Oddball Magazine. 

Celebrate the New Year at Expresso on December 30th

Information courtesy of Thea Iberall.

 

One-Two Punch

Poet Robert Milby returns to our pages, and he's joined by climate artist (love that term) Grey Cross. The Christmas Wars continue today at Oddball Magazine.

Almost Missed This

New poetry and reviews are up again from g emil reutter and Diane Sahms-Guarnieri.

It's December's North of Oxford.

It Starts Here

Luisa Kay Reyes fires from one side of The Christmas Wars today at Oddball Magazine.

It's Happening Today

Check out The Christmas Wars later this morning at Oddball Magazine.

Advent Calendar, Day Twenty

Some more Hanukkah music. It's hard to find anything besides "Oh Hanukkah" and the dreidel song.



And to make up for the Adam Sandler post earlier...

More Music

Flemmings Beaubrun reviews Revival, the newest album from Eminem. It's the Epic Autism Report, up now at Oddball Magazine.

Never Too Late to Make Your New Year's Resolutions

Read Jason Wright's resolution via this week's poem column. It's today's Jagged Thought at Oddball Magazine.

The Infinite Days of Poetry

Check out work by poet Valery V. Petrovskiy and photographer Luis Lazaro Tijerina. They're kicking it off at Oddball Magazine.

Advent Calendar, Day Nineteen

Enough songs. Read a book. Or at least listen to one.

Enjoy Your Office Holiday Party

And enjoy a holiday episode of Bill Harvey's "The Odds" comic strip, up now at Oddball Magazine.

This Week's Holiday Reminder

I have a feeling this week leading up to Christmas is going to be rough on a lot of people. So please try to give yourself (and someone else) a reason to laugh at some point. 

Still Life After Breakfast, Part 23 (the Holiday Joy special)

This Week's Friendly Reminder

Another tip of the hat to Jamaica Plain residents and the cars they drive.

Still Life After Breakfast, Part 22

Happy Update

I've been in communication with a lot of people regarding Stone Soup's new home. I hope things to have something to announce before Christmas.

Also, Adric Giles just sent me a draft of the cover to Stone's Throw #6. I love it. It will either be the greatest thing I ever helped put together or the most hated thing since The Baby Chronicles.

Advent Calendar, Day Eighteen

One more Hanukkah song.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Seventeen

Because we're still in Hanukkah.



And I don't want to do Adam Sandler every year, so here's the rest of them.





Jesus, there are four of these?!?



Non-Sandler  Hanukkah music coming, I swear.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Sixteen

More Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

I'm just feeling it.

THOUSANDS of year ago...

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Fifteen

Sadly, this could be me in a sadder, alternate universe and avoided college due to fear of liberals like a lot of people in my hometown.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Fourteen

Billy Crystal did his own Christmas music. Because the rules were ordained long ago that anyone with a modicum of fame has to do a holiday song.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Fourteen

I'm trying to stop being silly, but that doesn't mean I can't be fun.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Thirteen

I'll try and stop here before I link Achmed the Dead Terrorist singing "Jingle Bombs."

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Twelve

I first heard this as a teenager. I still get a chuckle out of it. I found out that someone made a video of it. I liked it. I'm still being silly. Shut UP you!

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Eleven

Yep. Still not serious.

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Ten

Sticking with the silliness. 

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Nine

Something silly. I heard this for years on the radio. Does anyone remember?

(late) Advent Calendar, Day Eight

Johnny Mathis also sang my favorite version of "Sleigh Ride."

Happy Birthday Valerie Loveland

At Last

Wise Words by Bruce Wise is finally up at Oddball Magazine.

Wisdom on Hold

It looks like we're waiting on Wise Words with Bruce Wise. Sorry for the wait. Stay tuned to Oddball Magazine.

The Terrible Twos

Janet Cormier Contemplates Year Two of Trump in this week's Bamboozled No More! It's up now at Oddball Magazine.

Morning

I don't work in the most photogenic part of Boston, but I just wanted to catch a little bit of the morning before work started. I likely won't see the light for the rest of the day. 

I Screwed It My Own Christmas

I completely messed up. I tried to do my advent calendar, something Christmasy once a day, and I screwed up. Now I'm at least a week behind. I'll do my best to catch up today and tomorrow. 

Slowly Crawling Back to Normal

A month later, my feet and legs are far from back to normal, but I'm at least able to cummute normally to and from work and can take the stairs again without any difficulty.

Hopefully, the holiday downtime will be just what I need to get back to 100%.

Because I'm not in a constant pain anymore, I am less exhausted, so hopefully I can get back to work and be productive again. Especially when it comes to resurrecting Stone Soup.

T.G.I.F.

Art by DL Polonsky

Events and Verse

There are a lot of things to learn about and enjoy in this week's column by Liza Zayas. Check out The Underground Garden at Oddball Magazine.

Bam!

Welcome back Russell Bennets for his first time in our journal with photography by Ira Joel Haber. Thanks for checking out Oddball Magazine.

Getting Biblical

James Van Looy is back with another poem column. Check out It's All One Thing at Oddball Magazine.

White Tears Tea Should be A Holiday Gift This Year

Read this week's Epic Autism Report by Flemmings Beaubrun, up now at Oddball Magazine.

Hoot Tonight!

Have fun in Lawrence tonight. Hosted by Ken and Nadine Delano.

Before the Caffeinated Holocaust

Read Jason Wright's latest Jagged Thought poem column, up now at Oddball Magazine. 

Home Again for The Holidays

Poet John Lowther returns to our lit mag and is joine by artist Bill Wolak. New and familiar faces this week at Oddball Magazine.

 

Call for Submissions: The Christmas Wars

Read all about it today at Oddball Magazine.

This Week's Holiday Reminder

There are a lot of unfortunate people this time of year. I hope we all can  take some time to see what can be done to help some of  them this holiday season.

Behind the Oddities, Part Two

Bill Harvey takes you further into the mind of a cartoonist (namely his) in today's "The Odds" at Oddball Magazine.

Still Life After Breakfast, Part 21

Another in the series, now with a taste of winter.

City Haiku

Scene of the escape,
all left to stand and wonder
how far did they get.