I’m one of those who loves the dark time of year, and more so this year after the summer was brutally hot and dry and basically frightening. In addition to cooler temperatures and wetter weather, since the time change we also have that release of early darkness, which is big and welcoming, like quenching a thirst.

Unfortunately the golden era of let’s-stay-home-forever seems to be coming to an end, which means more time out and about for work. I’ve been trying to squeeze creative work into the hours available. I’m doing various projects and continuing to work on the “Classic Crime” series of visual erasures.

Now I attempt an update! Visual poems from the Crime series have appeared so far in the new issue of Shenandoah, as well as Longleaf, Whale Road, Petrichor, Poetry Is Currency, Sugar House, Escape Into Life and The Hunger. Whew! Pictured here are “Draught,” which was in Petrichor (left), and “The Old Story,” which is in Shenandoah (below right).

And others have been accepted by Seneca Review, Beaver, Biscuit Hill and Five South. Thank you, editors!

Submitting pieces is time-consuming. I find it hard to find new publications that like visual poetry. And honestly I’d love an administrator to scan & upload, keep track, withdraw, etc. I know it’s the same for everyone and that’s how it is.

Still for awhile I thought why don’t I just self-publish all this on Twitter, only now even that seems a sour idea, given the negative commotion around that platform. I’ve yet to find another place to interact with so much interest, so I’m still there, as well as on IG and the old disparaged FB, which I still like for many reasons, including that my mother and other important people are there.