It is acceptable for the top of my sock to be wet but not the bottom. I will not be taking any more questions at this time. #TrueFacts

today today today this poem by Naomi Shihab Nye

i did not think i'd have to be a suffragette in this lifetime too

SCOOP: Many of the pages that went missing on Friday from the CDC website on Friday have reappeared — in response to intense media coverage, backlash from the scientific community and concern for the public’s health. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/h...

Another really terrible thing about the disappearance of Real Midwestern Winter is leaf blower usage ALL YEAR LONG. Neighbor has been moving 10 leaves around his front yard for the past 40 minutes. None of us is doing well.

Is anyone else harboring a low-key simmering rage at all times rn or is it just me

really pissed off to be going through perimenopause and the apocalypse at the same time

“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist” James Baldwin

Learned something new about myself this morning: stirring tea in small mug with a regular-sized spoon is INCORRECT to a spine-tingling degree.

Beyond honored to contribute a Yahya Hassan translation to this landmark anthology of Palestinian Poetry. Heaven Looks Like Us, available from @haymarketbooks.org in mid May 2025.

Challenging perceptions of the US-Mexico border: A new Texas art project uses music, photos and storytelling to highlight the the rich cultural tapestry beyond headlines of migration and enforcement.

I don't know. open.substack.com/pub/martyout...

ABC, NBC & CBS dedicated about 16 minutes of airtime last night to the California wildfires without once mentioning climate change. Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk: www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...

a love letter to your next next open.substack.com/pub/martyout...

Maybe you too, as a child, had the experience of going to a haunted house put on by the local park district and had the opportunity to enter a pitch-black room, maybe blindfolded as well, and be directed to plunge your hands into bowls full of various objects... martyoutloud.substack.com

I like to say I respect despair as an emotion but not an analysis. As an analysis it assumes we know what can and can't happen, and the future is both uncertain and at least to some extent what we make of it. Plus why would I give them what they want, as premature surrender? Thanks Senator Schatz.

Blueskyers! Each Monday in December I'm leading a generative writing workshop; fully pay-what-you-will with 10% going to the Chicago Poetry Center. Last week was the JAM & while I hope to go into it less ruthlessly triggered this week, either way it will be a delight! www.martyoutloud.com/workshops

Last night's Write Out the Year workshop saved me in a major way. We talked about this poem and wrote our hands off.

Hey so every Monday evening in December, I'm offering a free/pay-what-you-will generative writing workshop. Let's write this year out together. www.martyoutloud.com/workshops

Just gave myself a holiday gift by signing up for one of @martyoutloud.bsky.social's Monday generative classes in December. You can find out about them here: martyoutloud.com/workshops

A little Jane Hirschfield for a tender, tender Wednesday.

Starting things off so cheerfully: I know of three people who've had their gmail accounts hacked this week and used to send out fake contract documents. Change those passwords TODAY. Like right now.