Author Archives: Allyson

High’s Cafe in Comfort, Texas Driving through the ranch roads of the Texas Hill Country The Family Secrets podcast The Sounds Like a Cult podcast Richard Wright’s Haiku

As I finish this post, I’m thinking about the meme that complains about the essay that inevitably comes before a recipe on a poetry blog. So I’m going to lead with John’s four key tips for negotiating a car. If you want the context for why I have car negotiation tips on a poetry blog,Continue reading “Notes on Negotiating for a Car”

Making my most favorite pasta dish Time with my memoir group Able to walk Astrid during the brief period of sunshine Having a totally clean apartment Silence

“Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it.” Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Let’s try not to miss the summer solstice this year! In honor of the official transition intoContinue reading “June Poetry Contest”

Celebrating Astrid’s first adoption anniversary Celebrating 13 years in Austin Getting to go to my first in-person poker night in over a year It’s pasta salad season! Inherited a beautiful potted plant from my neighbors who are moving

My poetry contest continues to bring amazing poetry entries from an international audience! I truly never thought I’d be getting responses from other continents. This month, the winning poem comes from Medha Goel, a poet living in India. Medha posts short poems under the instagram handle of @whyj_st. The $25 prize will be send toContinue reading “May Poetry Contest Winner”

The salted PB&J ice cream pie recipe by Sohla El-Waylly Getting most of my summer prep done early so I can have some actual time off Plans for small outdoor writer gatherings Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson Getting to FaceTime with John regularly while he’s in Denmark

Even with pandemic restrictions loosening, I’m still inclined to take precautions regarding large events. Most of the poets I know are still hosting readings online, and I’m not about to be the first one to push the status quo. But now that the spring semester is over, I’m getting that usual burst of creative energy,Continue reading “Join Us on a Virtual Poetry Road Trip!”

I made cheesecake for the first time, and it was a success! Buying a mattress for which I am not the second or third owner. Signing up for my comprehensive Level 1 Pilates teacher training. Booking myself a DIY writing retreat in the Texas Hill Country The end of the grading queue is in sight

I met Laura Van Prooyen at Poetry at Round Top when she was promoting Our House Was on Fire. I still remember seeing her cast in the warm stage lights of the Round Top concert hall, reading these poems about uncertainty, illness, and motherhood. Her new collection, Frances of the Wider Field, was released inContinue reading “Poetry Interview with Laura Van Prooyen”