This month marks the three-year anniversary of when my first poem was published by Angie Tibbs at Dissident Voice in June of 2014. Since that time, I’ve remained a weekly contributor on the Sunday Poetry Page of the newsletter. An archive of my work can be found here. I’ve also poured my time and energy into finding as many other venues as possible where my work can be read. Which has led, so far, to over 1,200 of my poems appearing in more than 250 magazines, journals, indie zines, online blogs, broadsides, newspapers, and anthologies. When a door swings open, it is my intention to run straight through it. For this reason, I do my best to stay in sprinting shape.
I do, however, send out considerably fewer submissions now than I did in the beginning. My efforts of late are directed more toward the publications where I serve as an editor: The Blue Mountain Review, Walking Is Still Honest Press, The Peregrine Muse, Novelmasters, and my personal site, 17Numa.
I’ve been fortunate to have three collections of poetry published in the past two years, thanks to the help of Transcendent Zero Press (Songs of a Dissident), Weasel Press (Chaos Songs), and CTU Publishing (Happy Hour Hallelujah). My fourth book, Poison in Paradise, will soon be released through Alien Buddha Press. We’ve been working hard to make sure this project truly shines. I hope that readers will enjoy the results of such labor.
My heart has been heavy lately. I do not seek shelter from the sadness, but instead let its shadows naturally enshroud me until the pain can be fully processed. Sometimes it is necessary to be reminded by the most important people and events in life that one still has the ability to feel deep, intense, raw emotions, even if they are not necessarily pleasant.
I will continue to keep my eyes focused on the bright future over the horizon, moving forward with the goal of maturing into the best man I can possibly become. There are still several seasons of sowing that remain concerning such work. In fact, the journey is sure to last a lifetime. I will let the light shine in. I will let the light shine through. I will let love be the only voice that has a say in this regard. Although, to be fair, peace might also be allowed to sneak in a word here and there on occasion.
Thank you to all the writers, musicians, painters, and artists across the world that have inspired me greatly during these past three years. You help keep this mission fun, and my spirit set on fire. Thank you, also, to those who read and support my work. Without you, my words would still be silent.
17Numa 
Reblogged this on The Salamander Chronicles – Don Beukes and commented:
An influential voice of these times…
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