#speculativepoetry — Public Fediverse posts

Craters in the Lake

Layer cake 
Lake of craters 
Crate of gators 
Mater’s sake 
Mouthful of snakes 
Spate of vipers 
Gorge of snipers 
Slake my burst 
Cake of lawyers 
Bury me in thirst 
Dust inside of us 
Eat me if you must. 

Black and Blue Ribbons

Cupid’s dart through the heart,
by a sentence stealer who wrote
poetry with bruise hued ribbons,
shining signs and a lifetime supply
of bowties and harpsichord drums.

Weightless work in the sea, a
fighter and fisher, a hunter of
human flowers, focused on the sole
surprised survivors of daylight,
papered over with sharp delights
and black and blue ribbon rites.

Black and Blue Ribbons

Cupid’s dart through the heart,
by a sentence stealer who wrote
poetry with bruise hued ribbons,
shining signs and a lifetime supply
of bowties and harpsichord drums.

Weightless work in the sea, a
fighter and fisher, a hunter of
human flowers, focused on the sole
surprised survivors of daylight,
papered over with sharp delights
and black and blue ribbon rites.

Black and Blue Ribbons

Cupid’s dart through the heart,
by a sentence stealer who wrote
poetry with bruise hued ribbons,
shining signs and a lifetime supply
of bowties and harpsichord drums.

Weightless work in the sea, a
fighter and fisher, a hunter of
human flowers, focused on the sole
surprised survivors of daylight,
papered over with sharp delights
and black and blue ribbon rites.

Black and Blue Ribbons

Cupid’s dart through the heart,
by a sentence stealer who wrote
poetry with bruise hued ribbons,
shining signs and a lifetime supply
of bowties and harpsichord drums.

Weightless work in the sea, a
fighter and fisher, a hunter of
human flowers, focused on the sole
surprised survivors of daylight,
papered over with sharp delights
and black and blue ribbon rites.

Bright Darkness

A bright darkness you see
freezing all hues said she
from a mouth you can’t
have thoroughly conceived.

Put me down as I’m no
longer made of bone and
bricks, just wood carved of
the rightful seed I’ve sown.

A kiss for me, to know every
mystery you imagined the
world contained, no longer
bright with stars that shine.

O darkness bright you see
freezing every hue said she
from my mouth you cannot
silence violence completely.

Bright Darkness

A bright darkness you see
freezing all hues said she
from a mouth you can’t
have thoroughly conceived.

Put me down as I’m no
longer made of bone and
bricks, just wood carved of
the rightful seed I’ve sown.

A kiss for me, to know every
mystery you imagined the
world contained, no longer
bright with stars that shine.

O darkness bright you see
freezing every hue said she
from my mouth you cannot
silence violence completely.

Bright Darkness

A bright darkness you see
freezing all hues said she
from a mouth you can’t
have thoroughly conceived.

Put me down as I’m no
longer made of bone and
bricks, just wood carved of
the rightful seed I’ve sown.

A kiss for me, to know every
mystery you imagined the
world contained, no longer
bright with stars that shine.

O darkness bright you see
freezing every hue said she
from my mouth you cannot
silence violence completely.

Bright Darkness

A bright darkness you see
freezing all hues said she
from a mouth you can’t
have thoroughly conceived.

Put me down as I’m no
longer made of bone and
bricks, just wood carved of
the rightful seed I’ve sown.

A kiss for me, to know every
mystery you imagined the
world contained, no longer
bright with stars that shine.

O darkness bright you see
freezing every hue said she
from my mouth you cannot
silence violence completely.

My poem "Death of the Emperor's Nightingale" is now live at Strange Horizons.

https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/poetry/death-of-the-emperors-nightingale/
#poem #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My poem "Death of the Emperor's Nightingale" is now live at Strange Horizons.

https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/poetry/death-of-the-emperors-nightingale/
#poem #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My poem "Death of the Emperor's Nightingale" is now live at Strange Horizons.

https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/poetry/death-of-the-emperors-nightingale/
#poem #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My poem "Death of the Emperor's Nightingale" is now live at Strange Horizons.

https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/poetry/death-of-the-emperors-nightingale/
#poem #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

New poem published by Altered Reality Magazine. This time it is more science fiction than horror. You can learn about that poem in the link attached. Happy reading!

#poetry #poems #literaryhorror #horror #writing #amwriting #amreading #reading #sciencefiction #speculativepoetry #scifi

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/read-my-poem-a-junkyard-father-published-on-altered-reality/

New poem published by Altered Reality Magazine. This time it is more science fiction than horror. You can learn about that poem in the link attached. Happy reading!

#poetry #poems #literaryhorror #horror #writing #amwriting #amreading #reading #sciencefiction #speculativepoetry #scifi

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/read-my-poem-a-junkyard-father-published-on-altered-reality/

New poem published by Altered Reality Magazine. This time it is more science fiction than horror. You can learn about that poem in the link attached. Happy reading!

#poetry #poems #literaryhorror #horror #writing #amwriting #amreading #reading #sciencefiction #speculativepoetry #scifi

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/read-my-poem-a-junkyard-father-published-on-altered-reality/

New poem published by Altered Reality Magazine. This time it is more science fiction than horror. You can learn about that poem in the link attached. Happy reading!

#poetry #poems #literaryhorror #horror #writing #amwriting #amreading #reading #sciencefiction #speculativepoetry #scifi

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/read-my-poem-a-junkyard-father-published-on-altered-reality/

Charm City Spec: April Edition lands at Bird in Hand on April 11, 6pm. Featuring Scott Edelman, TT Madden, Mahaila Smith, Aina Hunter, and Trae Hawkins. Five voices working the edges of speculative fiction, from eco-weird to near-future hope. Join them at 11 E. 33rd St.

#SpeculativeFiction #SciFi #WeirdFiction #CliFi #EcoFiction #Poetry #SpeculativePoetry #SFPoetry #SmallPress #IndiePress #IndieAuthors #BookEvent #AuthorReading #Baltimore #Bmore #Maryland #BookCommunity #ReadingSeries

Charm City Spec: April Edition lands at Bird in Hand on April 11, 6pm. Featuring Scott Edelman, TT Madden, Mahaila Smith, Aina Hunter, and Trae Hawkins. Five voices working the edges of speculative fiction, from eco-weird to near-future hope. Join them at 11 E. 33rd St.

#SpeculativeFiction #SciFi #WeirdFiction #CliFi #EcoFiction #Poetry #SpeculativePoetry #SFPoetry #SmallPress #IndiePress #IndieAuthors #BookEvent #AuthorReading #Baltimore #Bmore #Maryland #BookCommunity #ReadingSeries

Charm City Spec: April Edition lands at Bird in Hand on April 11, 6pm. Featuring Scott Edelman, TT Madden, Mahaila Smith, Aina Hunter, and Trae Hawkins. Five voices working the edges of speculative fiction, from eco-weird to near-future hope. Join them at 11 E. 33rd St.

#SpeculativeFiction #SciFi #WeirdFiction #CliFi #EcoFiction #Poetry #SpeculativePoetry #SFPoetry #SmallPress #IndiePress #IndieAuthors #BookEvent #AuthorReading #Baltimore #Bmore #Maryland #BookCommunity #ReadingSeries

Charm City Spec: April Edition lands at Bird in Hand on April 11, 6pm. Featuring Scott Edelman, TT Madden, Mahaila Smith, Aina Hunter, and Trae Hawkins. Five voices working the edges of speculative fiction, from eco-weird to near-future hope. Join them at 11 E. 33rd St.

#SpeculativeFiction #SciFi #WeirdFiction #CliFi #EcoFiction #Poetry #SpeculativePoetry #SFPoetry #SmallPress #IndiePress #IndieAuthors #BookEvent #AuthorReading #Baltimore #Bmore #Maryland #BookCommunity #ReadingSeries

(Quoted from Kalin Stacey)

The nomination period for the 2026 Aurora Awards CLOSES in three days, on Saturday April 4, at 11:59pm Eastern.

If you're already a member and haven't nominated yet, please go do that! Nominating numbers are never that high so your vote can make a big difference to who gets on the final ballot. Don’t wait until the last moment! Add what you are currently sure of right away and you can always go back to add more before our deadline.

And if you're not yet a member, you can STILL get a 2026 membership and vote before the Saturday deadline. It's only $10 for a membership which allows you to nominate and vote for your favourite Canadian speculative genre authors and artists, plus you get access to the Voters Package which includes ebook/digital copies of the all works on the final ballot.

Unsure about our process?: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/general-awards-process/
Lists of what is eligible for 2026: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/eligibility-lists/

#CanLit #SpeculativeFiction #SpeculativePoetry

(Quoted from Kalin Stacey)

The nomination period for the 2026 Aurora Awards CLOSES in three days, on Saturday April 4, at 11:59pm Eastern.

If you're already a member and haven't nominated yet, please go do that! Nominating numbers are never that high so your vote can make a big difference to who gets on the final ballot. Don’t wait until the last moment! Add what you are currently sure of right away and you can always go back to add more before our deadline.

And if you're not yet a member, you can STILL get a 2026 membership and vote before the Saturday deadline. It's only $10 for a membership which allows you to nominate and vote for your favourite Canadian speculative genre authors and artists, plus you get access to the Voters Package which includes ebook/digital copies of the all works on the final ballot.

Unsure about our process?: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/general-awards-process/
Lists of what is eligible for 2026: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/eligibility-lists/

#CanLit #SpeculativeFiction #SpeculativePoetry

(Quoted from Kalin Stacey)

The nomination period for the 2026 Aurora Awards CLOSES in three days, on Saturday April 4, at 11:59pm Eastern.

If you're already a member and haven't nominated yet, please go do that! Nominating numbers are never that high so your vote can make a big difference to who gets on the final ballot. Don’t wait until the last moment! Add what you are currently sure of right away and you can always go back to add more before our deadline.

And if you're not yet a member, you can STILL get a 2026 membership and vote before the Saturday deadline. It's only $10 for a membership which allows you to nominate and vote for your favourite Canadian speculative genre authors and artists, plus you get access to the Voters Package which includes ebook/digital copies of the all works on the final ballot.

Unsure about our process?: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/general-awards-process/
Lists of what is eligible for 2026: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/eligibility-lists/

#CanLit #SpeculativeFiction #SpeculativePoetry

(Quoted from Kalin Stacey)

The nomination period for the 2026 Aurora Awards CLOSES in three days, on Saturday April 4, at 11:59pm Eastern.

If you're already a member and haven't nominated yet, please go do that! Nominating numbers are never that high so your vote can make a big difference to who gets on the final ballot. Don’t wait until the last moment! Add what you are currently sure of right away and you can always go back to add more before our deadline.

And if you're not yet a member, you can STILL get a 2026 membership and vote before the Saturday deadline. It's only $10 for a membership which allows you to nominate and vote for your favourite Canadian speculative genre authors and artists, plus you get access to the Voters Package which includes ebook/digital copies of the all works on the final ballot.

Unsure about our process?: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/general-awards-process/
Lists of what is eligible for 2026: https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/eligibility-lists/

#CanLit #SpeculativeFiction #SpeculativePoetry

My ecological horror poem "Stillborn" has been nominated for the Rhysling Award. It's my first time making it to that list. https://www.nightmare-magazine.com/podcast/stillborn/ #poetry #ecology #RhyslingAward #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My ecological horror poem "Stillborn" has been nominated for the Rhysling Award. It's my first time making it to that list. https://www.nightmare-magazine.com/podcast/stillborn/ #poetry #ecology #RhyslingAward #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My ecological horror poem "Stillborn" has been nominated for the Rhysling Award. It's my first time making it to that list. https://www.nightmare-magazine.com/podcast/stillborn/ #poetry #ecology #RhyslingAward #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

My ecological horror poem "Stillborn" has been nominated for the Rhysling Award. It's my first time making it to that list. https://www.nightmare-magazine.com/podcast/stillborn/ #poetry #ecology #RhyslingAward #SpeculativePoetry #PoetryCommunity

I had a request to revise and resubmit a poem, and I've just transformed it into a ghost story. Here's hoping the editor likes what I've done. #AmWriting #PoetryCommunity #SpeculativePoetry

I had a request to revise and resubmit a poem, and I've just transformed it into a ghost story. Here's hoping the editor likes what I've done. #AmWriting #PoetryCommunity #SpeculativePoetry

I had a request to revise and resubmit a poem, and I've just transformed it into a ghost story. Here's hoping the editor likes what I've done. #AmWriting #PoetryCommunity #SpeculativePoetry

I had a request to revise and resubmit a poem, and I've just transformed it into a ghost story. Here's hoping the editor likes what I've done. #AmWriting #PoetryCommunity #SpeculativePoetry

Some days don’t announce themselves.
They just quietly keep things standing.

The Department of Lost Days

Read now at wrightspoetry.com

#TheThursdayLantern #Poetry #ModernPoetry #SpeculativePoetry #Midweek #OrdinaryDays #QuietMoments

https://wrightspoetry.com/2026/01/08/the-thursday-lantern-the-department-of-lost-days/

ICYMI, The Woodlot published a thoroughly delightful review by Pearl Pirie of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE. If you still haven't picked up your copy, you truly can't miss with this debut collection.

Read the whole review here: https://the-wood-lot.ca/2025/09/29/seed-beetle-poems-by-mahaila-smith-stelliform-press-2025/

#poetry #canlit #canadianauthor #speculativepoetry #sfpoetry #poetrycollection #debutcollection #books #bookstodon

ICYMI, The Woodlot published a thoroughly delightful review by Pearl Pirie of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE. If you still haven't picked up your copy, you truly can't miss with this debut collection.

Read the whole review here: https://the-wood-lot.ca/2025/09/29/seed-beetle-poems-by-mahaila-smith-stelliform-press-2025/

#poetry #canlit #canadianauthor #speculativepoetry #sfpoetry #poetrycollection #debutcollection #books #bookstodon

ICYMI, The Woodlot published a thoroughly delightful review by Pearl Pirie of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE. If you still haven't picked up your copy, you truly can't miss with this debut collection.

Read the whole review here: https://the-wood-lot.ca/2025/09/29/seed-beetle-poems-by-mahaila-smith-stelliform-press-2025/

#poetry #canlit #canadianauthor #speculativepoetry #sfpoetry #poetrycollection #debutcollection #books #bookstodon

ICYMI, The Woodlot published a thoroughly delightful review by Pearl Pirie of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE. If you still haven't picked up your copy, you truly can't miss with this debut collection.

Read the whole review here: https://the-wood-lot.ca/2025/09/29/seed-beetle-poems-by-mahaila-smith-stelliform-press-2025/

#poetry #canlit #canadianauthor #speculativepoetry #sfpoetry #poetrycollection #debutcollection #books #bookstodon

ICYMI - Earth Versed: 10 New Poetry Books About Our Relationship with Nature

The Revelator posted a lovely little review of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE: "Easily one of my favorite books of the year. (I enjoyed the electronic review copy so much I bought it in hard copy.)"

https://therevelator.org/environmental-poetry-reviews/

#seedbeetle #mahailasmith #poetrycollection #poetry #canadianpoetry #canlit #sciencefictionpoetry #speculativepoetry #ecofiction #climatefiction #queerfiction #lgbtqfiction #smallpress