Shelly Rodrigue
@possumpoet.bsky.social
83 followers 120 following 130 posts
Poet, professor, possum.
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possumpoet.bsky.social
Today is Day 265 of the Stafford Challenge, and I have written as many poems as the number of days, not all of them good but all of them a personal win for me. It's astounding to think I have only 100 more days to go. Then, I will begin again.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Today, I wrote an abecedarian of which cheeses I would try in the Cheese Academy’s Library of Cheeses. Quite pleased with myself. 🧀
possumpoet.bsky.social
Hey, y'all! The Stars Anthology, featuring my poem "My Mother was the Moon," is out now from Verseve. You can download it for free on Kindle from October 1st through October 5th. If you'd prefer to buy a print copy, you can order it at the link below.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSNM6KW...
possumpoet.bsky.social
Here’s a video of me reading my villanelle, “Destiny,” from the Lost Love Anthology published by Orenaug Mountain Publishing.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Had a great time reading from Orenaug Mountain Publishing’s Lost Love Anthology with fellow featured poets from the area. Many thanks to Sandy Carlson for organizing this event as well as to Faith Vicinanza for sharing her studio space with us.
possumpoet.bsky.social
I am excited to announce that I have a poem forthcoming in Verseve's Stars Anthology. I'll share the link once the anthology becomes available. For those of you who, like me, have always been enthralled by the stars, this is one you don't want to miss.
possumpoet.bsky.social
The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is this Friday. I was a teenager, living on the outskirts of New Orleans, when the storm devastated the city. I’m honored to be included in this anthology with my fellow Louisiana poets.
This poetry collection by Louisiana writers, artists remember Katrina and Rita: 'It feeds the soul'
The collection contains poetry and artwork from 44 Louisiana writers and/or artists, all of whom were impacted by the hurricanes and had to rebuild their lives.
www.theadvocate.com
Reposted by Shelly Rodrigue
sundresspub.bsky.social
Join us TONIGHT for Multimedia Writing: Hybrid Prose/Poetry,” a free virtual workshop led by Emma Sheinbaum from 6:00-7:30 PM EST! sundressblog.com/2025/07/28/s...
possumpoet.bsky.social
Gibson’s work has always moved me. It seems the earth should shake in acknowledgment of such a loss to the world.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Thinking of Mary Oliver today.
Black text on a beige background. It contains the text of Mary Oliver’s poem, “Mysteries, Yes.”

Mysteries, Yes
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.
@maryoliverofficial
possumpoet.bsky.social
I saw two goldfinches today. That seems important.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Remembering this Emily Dickinson poem today.
possumpoet.bsky.social
I don't have the words to express the deep sense of loss I have in learning of the death of Andrea Gibson, a poet whose words have always struck me powerfully. All I know how to do is return to the page with even more urgency, and let Gibson's words continue to illuminate the way for me.
possumpoet.bsky.social
"How dreary - to be - Somebody!" -Emily Dickinson
possumpoet.bsky.social
I am thrilled to announce that three of my poems have been accepted for publication in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 20: an Anthology of Louisiana Poetry with Art. Many thanks to Mona Lisa Saloy and John Warner Smith for bringing this incredible anthology to life.
A picture of a crowded New Orleans street from the perspective of the crowd in what appears to be a second line, complete with brass band and umbrellas. In the background of the picture is a house, clearly destroyed by hurricanes.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Many thanks to River & South Review for publishing my poem, "Eating Cheese with My Rich Friends," in their latest issue. Check it out at the link below.
riverandsouth.com/eating-chees...
Eating Cheese with My Rich Friends - River & South Review
by Shelly Rodrigue
riverandsouth.com
possumpoet.bsky.social
A rare personal moment: I was almost one of those dead kids. I had one affirming adult in my life, and though she didn’t know I was queer at the time, she is the reason I am alive. Be mindful. Be kind. You can save lives.
A rainbow EKG line with a broken heart containing the rainbow flag on one side and trans flag on the other. Text above the heartbeat line states “Pride isn’t about turning straight kids into queer kids.” Text below the heartbeat line states “Pride is about not turning queer kids into dead kids.”
possumpoet.bsky.social
I have to remind myself that my goal each day for The Stafford Challenge is not necessarily a finished product but simply to have written something I had not written before--a line, an idea, an image I can't let go of.

But I did manage to write a new shadorma today, so there's that.
possumpoet.bsky.social
Happy Pride, y'all 🏳️‍🌈. I've been too occupied carrying out the gay agenda to post. 😂
possumpoet.bsky.social
Many thanks to Sandy Lee Carlson for including my villanelle, "Destiny," in the Lost Love Anthology. You can read a sample, my poem included, at the link below.
www.orenaugmountainpublishing.com/poetry-colle...
Orenaug Mountain Publishing - Lost Love
News
www.orenaugmountainpublishing.com
possumpoet.bsky.social
Today is day 117 of The Stafford Challenge. I am tired, but I have to keep going.
Reposted by Shelly Rodrigue