A Poem — There is an anthem we sing in the sunlight today. It smells like fresh breath. It sounds like the soft grind of microplastic. It hurts like a right calf cramp. The song is a blood flow celebration. The song is a college acceptance letter that explains the future away. Let’s…

Originally published in The Journal — Volume 45.2–May 2022 — For National Poetry Month, I am recording myself reading one of my published or self-curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. This is the last one for the month! Reading # 30 of 30 This poem is titled Childproof Sky. It is the title poem from my chapbook Childproof Sky a Cherry Dress Chapbooks 2023 selection. You can learn more about the book at https://childproofsky.com. The Journal gratefully published this poem in print issue 45.2 in May 2022.

Originally published at Poetry Online — April 2023 — For National Poetry Month, I am recording myself reading one of my published or self-curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 29 of 30 This poem is titled I’m Alive and So Are You. I wrote this poem on a New Year's morning, thinking about the year ahead and all that is asked of us, both to obey and also to break out and be our own. This poem is available to read online at Poetry Online, also with an audio reading.

Originally published in Pangyrus Literary Magazine — May 2023 — For National Poetry Month, I am recording myself reading one of my published or self-curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 28 of 30 This poem is titled Demons Everywhere. You can read about the origins of this poem and the entire poem itself over at Pangyrus Literary Magazine. Enjoy! ©️ Trapper Markelz 2023 If you enjoyed this poem, please check out my chapbook Childproof Sky, a Cherrydress Chapbooks 2023 selection.

A Poem & Reading — For April 2023 National Poetry Month, I am recording myself reading one of my published or self-curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 27 of 30 This poem is titled There Is A Price On My Head. This poem is available for the first time here on Medium. Enjoy! There Is A Price On My Head I…

A Poem & Reading — It is April 2023, National Poetry Month. I am recording myself reading one of my published/curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 26 of 30 This poem is titled Flair for the Ancient. Sometimes you have to step back and marvel at all that exists. This poem is available for the…

Published by High Shelf Press — Issue 33 — August 2021 — It is April 2023, National Poetry Month. I am recording myself reading one of my published/curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 25 of 30 This poem is titled You Will Need Food for the Journey. It is a poem from my chapbook Childproof Sky, published by Cherry Dress Chapbooks in July 2023. This poem was originally published and available online at High Shelf Press, but that journal has sadly gone out of business.

Published initially in Hare’s Paw Literary Journal — Issue #7 — November 2022 — It is April 2023, National Poetry Month. I am recording myself reading one of my published/curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 24 of 30 This poem is titled Passengers. It looks at scars and the stories they carry. Where are all of the scar makers now? This poem is available to read online at Hare’s Paw Literary Review.

Originally published by The Banyan Review — September 2022 — It is April 2023, National Poetry Month. I am recording myself reading one of my published/curated pieces of poetry each day for 30 days. Reading # 23 of 30 This poem is titled Place of Stones. On a road trip, you pass many places. I find myself wondering about the stories there, the people and their lives — the past I’ll never know — the future I’ll never see. All I will have with that place is one fleeting moment. This poem is available to read online at The Banyan Review.