My prison pen pal “Conway“, who’s serving 25-to-life for receiving stolen goods in California’s notorious Pelican Bay facility, tells me that not much is new about the New Year. His early release petition hearing has been deferred yet again, till February. Keep him in your thoughts. Meanwhile, he’s writing lots of poetry, and creating artwork
New Poems by Conway: “Sleep Deprivation” and “City Elegy IX” Read More »
As I wait this week for “Santa” to deliver another load of toys for my little man, I’m pondering the devaluation of femininity that stubbornly persists in the two realms where I spend much of my time: parenting and gay male fiction. Over his short lifetime, the Young Master has already been gifted with a
Pink Link Roundup: The Struggle to Affirm the Feminine Read More »
Pamela Uschuk is a shamanic poet, invoking the spirits of animals, mountains, and forests, to heal a world that humans have spoiled with war and greed. Her latest collection, Blood Flower (Wings Press, 2014), also gives a voice to her family’s ghosts, starting with her Russian immigrant ancestors, and moving on to her late brother
Poems from Pamela Uschuk’s “Blood Flower” Read More »
It’s beginning to look a lot like…whatever winter holiday you celebrate! Here are some videos to get you in the mood. This Hanukah song and dance medley is joyful and stylishly performed. I was almost certain I recognized the location as midtown Manhattan, but the YouTube credits say Daley Plaza in Chicago. No wonder I
Holiday Videos: “Joel the Lump of Coal” and More Read More »
As my readers doubtless know from the national news, the killing of unarmed African-American men and boys by white police officers has sparked protest movements across the country, challenging us white Americans to confront our participation in a racist law enforcement system. On Aug. 9 in Ferguson, MO, Officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed 18-year-old Michael
A Long-Overdue Education in Racism: Where to Begin? Read More »
Poet, activist, and spiritual workshop leader Robert McDowell sent out this powerful poem in his e-newsletter to commemorate the International Day to End Violence Against Women (Nov. 25). McDowell’s work focuses on actualizing the sacred feminine to bring about gender equality and reconciliation. He has kindly allowed me to reprint it below. The Promise of
Poetry by Robert McDowell: “The Promise of Hunter’s Moon” Read More »
My prison pen pal Conway reports that the hearing on his petition for early release has been delayed until December, crushing his hope of being reunited with his family for Christmas. It’s been over two years since California voters passed Proposition 36, which was supposed to roll back the harsh sentences imposed on nonviolent offenders
New Poem by Conway: “Smell” Read More »
Three weeks ago I made another one of my longtime fashion dreams come true. I got my first tattoo. This lion who now lives on my left ankle represents Aslan, the Christ-figure in the Narnia books, as well as the courage of my male spiritual side. The original artwork by Nycci Traynor at InkWell Studio
The Lion Under My Skin Read More »
I read Christian blogs and Twitter feeds nearly every day, and periodically email myself the standout articles that give me ideas to write about. Time pressures being what they are, a lot of these ideas hang about in my inbox for months, never quite finding the right occasion for a full post. So here is
Christian Blog Roundup: Incarnational Boundaries, Rethinking Outreach, and More Read More »
My prison pen pal “Conway”, who is serving 25-to-life for a nonviolent offense under California’s now-repealed three-strikes law, continues to work on his “City Elegies” series while awaiting a hearing on his early release petition. Like a man on a desert island, he has been knocked down to the bare minimum of possessions following transfer
New Poems by Conway: “City Elegy VII & VIII” Read More »