I’m honored to have my poems “Bucket List” and “Train Whistle” included in the gorgeous and compelling new issue of Chiron Review. Chiron Review has published since 1982, exceptional longevity in the lit mag world. Chiron has been very supportive of my work—this is my sixth appearance since 2016. Many thanks to the wonderful folks at Chiron Review!
Read To Me Some Poem celebrates the 20th anniversary of Longfellow Days, a month-long reading series in Brunswick, Maine. The anthology, published by Moon Pie Press, is already in its third printing! With work by 88 poets who have read at Longfellow Days over the past 20 years, this anthology shows the great range of contemporary Maine poetry. I’m happy to have a poem included and to be reading at the launch party, Saturday February 3 at 1 pm at Brunswick’s Unitarian Universalist Church on 1 Middle Street.
You can buy Read To Me Some Poem at the Moon Pie Press link below. All proceeds benefit Longfellow Days.
The 2023 edition of The Night Heron Barks is something to celebrate, a mesmerizing mix of poetry, art, and music. I’m honored to be an assistant poetry editor—it’s a thrill to find gems in the submissions, advocate for them, and finally see the work in print. But I still think about some poems that didn’t make their way into this issue for one reason or another. Thanks to *all* the writers who trust TNHB with their work! You can read the new issue here: https://nightheronbarks.com/2023-2/
I’m honored to have my poem “I Dream About Buying a Gun,” which explores violence, vulnerability, and yearning for safety, in On the Sewall. The speaker is me, and isn’t me. I dislike guns and despise America’s obsession with guns, but I understand all too well why people own them for protection. We’re a violent people.
Poetry Breakfast has been a wonderful supporter of my work, and I’m delighted that they’ve returned after a hiatus. I’m also delighted to have my poem about the ever-changing nature of relationships, “Kaleidoscope,” included. You can read it here:
I’m honored to have two poems included in the spring issue of MORIA Literary Magazine. “Embalming” is a meditation on grief and the power of objects. “Rural Character” explores the harsh side of small-town life. Many thanks to everyone at MORIA! You can read them here:
https://www.moriaonline.com/issue-eleven-642720/2023/4/24/embalming-by-sheila-wellehan
https://www.moriaonline.com/issue-eleven-642720/2023/5/8/rural-character-by-sheila-wellehan
I’m happy to have my poem “A Pipe Burst” included in Hole In The Head Review. The poem explores the lingering impact of trauma. Many thanks to Bill Schulz and all the folks at Hole In The Head. You can read it here:
I’m honored to be part of the editorial team that curated the second session of Ran Off With the Star Bassoon. Led by editor Rogan Kelly, Ran Off With the Star Bassoon focuses on hybrid work, short-form prose, and prose poems. Each piece is enhanced by visual art, and this session features the music of Melissa Frederick. Enjoy!
There’s something special about print poetry journals. In a world dominated by screens and clicks, holding a physical object in my hands and reading from it feels grounding and nourishing. Publishing print journals has always been challenging, and it’s more challenging now than ever with dramatically increased paper costs. So, I’m especially appreciative to have my work included in two fine print journals recently. San Pedro River Review, based in California, has been publishing poetry for 14 years. “Flammable” is my third appearance in SPRR. Frost Meadow Review has been publishing in Maine for 5 years. “Stargazers” and “Widow’s Weeds” mark my fourth appearance in FMR. I appreciate these wonderful print journals’ support over the years. Thank you!
For three years, a fair amount of my time and emotional energy has been devoted to working with neighbors trying to save the woods behind our neighborhood. The long process and struggle made its way into my writing. I’m honored that my poem “Search Party,” about the site walk for the proposed development, won our local land trust’s 2022 Poetry Contest. You can read it here:
https://www.capelandtrust.org/news/2022-poetry-and-photo-contest-results/#3-search-party
Sheila Wellehan 