So much is happening all about us right now that these times are ripe for witness poetry. Tensions on the Ukrainian boarder with Russia. United States and NATO posturing in defense of Ukraine. The implications across Europe are are far reaching.
The latest Covid variant, Omicron is claiming more infections in greater numbers and a rise in hospitalizations and deaths at the same time. We seem to be having more catastrophic disasters that most likely are linked to climate change issues. The conditions of women and children in Afghanistan after the U.S. pullout are cause for concern. But, these are but a drop in the bucket of things that are impacting people. The human condition is yearning. to be observed, recorded, told for the future. Poets have plenty to bare witness too. I hope someone is recording these challenging times. It's a poet's responsibility to be a witness.
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My Submission stats presently:
So Far December - 19 sent Number Presently pending with publishers - 73 Total Sent last 12 Months - 145 My Poem "The Answer" appears in the latest edition of AvantAppal(achia) December arrived and with it typical Missouri weather. Cold one day and a record high for one day of 72. You can never judge Missouri weather by a one day experience.
Had an open mic reading recently on zoom and read my new poem, "lost & Found" from the fall issue of 34 Orchard. It's been a busy year evidenced by my submission stats.
Still got more days left this month. A short time back I mentioned on FACEBOOK I had a poem accepted by a journal that I was particularly excited about. I didn't name the journal but indicated I would soon. Soon has arrived the contacts has been signed and payment actually made already.
The Journal is 34 Orchard. My poem will appear in the Fall issue release date November 10, 2021. Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Editor as 34 Orchard writes, "What I love about "Lost & Found" is, on a surface level, its universal message- we've all had days like this. Yet, in the end, it gets turned around, and, on a deeper level, speaks to healing. It's also entertaining and has a little bit of a sense of fun amid the darkness. In Short, "Lost & Found" is exactly what lives at 34 Orchard--visceral work, that illustrates the dark reality of our world; those internal things we cannot talk about. but we all know exist. I believe this piece is going to reach someone, and if you reach at least one person with your fiction, then you've done you job as a writer. I'm very excited join the 34 Orchard family Something We Held in Common
Michael Allyn Wells Did I miss you because you were not here or because I only knew a concept of you? Can you be angry at someone you don’t really know and love them at the same time? Your name was all I had of you. It was our name; something we held in common when I didn’t even have a picture of you to hold. So, I didn’t really have you. I could not produce you for parent-teacher night. I could not explain to friends what I did not understand myself. When mom sent me with a proxy to Indian Guides, it was the longest night ever. Neither of us wanted to be there, sitting cross legged on the floor thinking of senseless Indian names for each other in some cute father son way. And later, when he wanted to take your name away from me – in exchange for his, I would have no part of it. Appeared in Boston Literary Magazine - January 2020 Michael Allyn Wells is an alumnus of the AWP Writer 2 Writer Program, Spring 2017 session. The poet makes his home in Kansas City, with his wife and three rescue dogs. Wells is an avid San Francisco Giants fan, likes wine white and black coffee. His work has appeared in Right Hand Pointing, Montucky Review, Nude Bruce Review, Remington Review, WestWard Quarterly, Best of Boston Literary Magazine, Vol. 1 & Vol 2, and Rockhurst Fine Arts Review, as will other venues. |
AuthorMichael Allyn Wells - notes & musings Archives
November 2023
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