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scissors & spackle poetry

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Very happy to have two experimental pieces in scissors & spackle, a sort of experimental/punk literary journal. “Love Song for a Friend” is a grief list poem and “gratitudes” is also lists that became something readworthy (hopefully). The friend in “Love Song” is Kim who left the world too soon. I also wrote about her in the piece, “Kim,” published in Cincinnati Review, which eventually made it to The Best Small Fictions 2020 anthology. I’m glad to have immortalized her a bit on this plane. The circumstances of her death were never made clear. It may have been suicide. No funeral. No ritual. But writing.

motorcycle boots on pink with poem title for "love song for a friend"
“Love Song for a Friend,” a poem by Koss in scissors & spackle
gold and gray photo of peonies with an aunt and text for poem, "gratitudes"
“Gratitudes,” a poem by Koss in scissors & spackle

San Pedro River Review | Poetry Publication

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So fortunate to be in another issue of San Pedro River Review. This issue has a theme of Place. Jeff and Tobi, the editors, are kind and efficient. They have two brief submission windows each year, then superfast notices for submitters. Generally, a month or so after an acceptance, the issue is out. I wish all journals were this professional. Here is a bad photo of the poem, which I’ll update at a later date. This has been a busy publication year, and I’m having trouble keeping up. This poem is one of many about grief (for my grandmother) and mortality. Buy the whole issue on Amazon. See my other San Pedro River Review publication, “Opt-Out Mother,” here.

poem text from Repository, a grief poem by Koss in San Pedro River Review
“Repository,” a poem by Koss in San Pedro River Review

Boats Against the Current – Poetry – Koss

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Boats Against the Current is a wonderfully designed, promising new journal founded by McKenna Themm, a poet and managing editor of the LA Review. Boats Against the Current Magazine is an online journal dedicated to poetry.

My poem explores grief as told through the lifespan and habits of crickets. Read it here, and if you’re a poet, send them some work. I was pleased as a neurotic type to get a very fast response from them and they’re lovely and professional to work with.

graphic with quote from poem, "The Sounds of the Night, Instead," for Boats Against the Current Magazine
Boats Against the Current promotional graphic for Koss poem
Green swampy abstract image with quote from Koss poem published in Boats Against the Current Journal
“The Sounds of the NIght Instead,” a poem by Koss in Boats Against the Current

Alien Buddha – Publication

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I’m very behind in blog posts but was happy to have three poems published in Alien Buddha at the end of January 2022. These are pieces from my manuscript, One for Sorrow, and address domestic violence, one, queers and the church–a tough sell for the lit world–so very grateful for the publication. Alien Buddha publishes a large format journal and books on a regular basis. Find this issue of Alien Buddha on Amazon. I will likely add the poems (or parts of them) at a later date.

Alien Buddha Zine #35 cover with names of contributors
Alien Buddha Zine #35

Done 2021 | Water-Soluble Crayon on Crossword Poem

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Done, 2021, a visual poem on newsprint crossword—created by moi at the end of the year. I’ve been depriving myself of color for a long time. Here’s a new start to occasional color. Happy New Year!

Done, 2021, Visual Poem by Koss

Moist Poetry Journal | Poem by Koss

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This is nearly a month late, but I’ve been struggling with a photo I bought of Harold’s hearse (from the movie Harold and Maude) and finally finished it today. Was pleased to get accepted into Moist Poetry Journal, a queerish journal and feminist space started by Han Vanderhart. This particular sequence of poems was guest edited by Jennifer Funk. Check out my poem or ALL of the wonderful poems on the Moist Poetry site. Moist Poetry publishes a single (or sometimes double) poem three times a week.

Holy Jesus-Free Bingo Hall, a poem by Koss in Moist Poetry Journal

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