Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 12h

Thank you, Rachel ❤️

Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 15h

We haven’t failed at peaceful resistance in America. We just haven’t tried it yet.
New essay up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social, a nonpartisan platform where insiders and outsiders meet to repair our democracy. Follow them for thoughtful, solutions-based dialogue.

thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...

Critical Mass and the 3.5% Rule: Why Nonviolent Protest Can Work When We Actually Try It

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably...

thefulcrum.us

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 5d

I’m sure you already follow Rachel (@mother-poet.bsky.social) but if not, do so! She is a wonderful writer and a good human!

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · 6d

I originally wrote this with the theme of the second Chaos Section #chapbook in mind, but ultimately I decided to use different poems for this issue - including one filled with simple joys. But right now... I am feeling this one.

@chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social

#poem #poetry #GunViolence #trump

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 19d

No rush, Sue! But I am very much looking forward to reading it when you are finished!

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 20d

The Chaos Section Poetry Project Is Accepting Submissions Until Oct. 1
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social

thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/09/18/t...

The Chaos Section Poetry Project Is Accepting Submissions Until Oct. 1

I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin (@mother-poet.bsky.social). This new chapbo…

thetruthabouttigers.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 28d

Do any other combat veterans notice that
the loudest voices calling for or supporting political violence or fantasizing about civil war usually belong to people who’ve never been anywhere near actual violence, or war?

The Chaos Section Poetry Project @chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social · 28d

Violence Begets Violence

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · 28d

The Chinese restaurant near my house doesn’t do “fortune cookies.” They’re more into “pragmatic financial advice cookies.”

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Sep 5

Ellen Bass is one of my favorite poets. If you haven’t read her, I can’t recommend her work enough. Mules of Love is a great place to start, especially the poem Insomnia.

The Chaos Section Poetry Project @chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social · Sep 4

Ellen Bass’s “The Thing Is" beautifully captures the stubborn strength it takes to carry on when things feel broken. Our upcoming collection is gathering poems that explore coping in all its forms. Submissions open through Sept 15. thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/submissions/
#poetry #submissions

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 29

That’s solid advice from your past self ❤️

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Reposted by Nick Allison

The New Verse News (always open for newspoems) @newversenews.bsky.social · Aug 28

NVN Thursday at Substack: After You’ve Gone#newspoems "Feel Free" by Nick Allison and "Dear Prez" by Barbara Loots thenewversenews.substack.com/p/nvn-thursd...
@literaryreport.bsky.social
@literarybulletin.bsky.social

NVN Thursday: After You've Gone

"Feel Free" by Nick Allison and "Dear Prez" by Barbara Loots

thenewversenews.substack.com

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Reposted by Nick Allison

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · Aug 28

Friends! I am so excited that Loblolly Press is releasing a hard copy #book of last year's digital #zine titled "Understory." Like the digital release, this one also supports post- #Hurricane #Helene efforts. I and 86 other #poets have great work in there! Hope you'll check it out. #BookSky #poetry

Understory: A Full-Color Anthology for Hurricane Helene Recovery

Understory is a full-color print anthology created in the early months after Hurricane Helene devastated our region in Western North Carolina and beyond. $2 from every print copy sold goes directly to...

www.loblollypress.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thank you! 🙂

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thank you, Rachel ❤️

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thanks to @newversenews.bsky.social
for publishing my poem "Feel Free." I almost never write in rhyme (or near-rhyme), but I felt like trying something different.
newversenews.blogspot.com/2025/08/feel...

#Trump #Authoritarian #Oligarchy #FeelFree

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Reposted by Nick Allison

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · Aug 27

#Minnesota is heavy on my mind, as is my fourth grader and children all across the US who have to deal with the real, daily possibility of being shot and killed at school.

This world is so broken.

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · May 24

This #poem came up in my socials memories today from when #Texas experienced the horrific #Uvalde school shooting. I originally wrote and shared this after my then-kindergartener's comments on school shooting drills and shared again after Uvalde.

Holding their memories close.

#poetry #parenting

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 27

New essay up at CounterPunch today.
Mornings in the Village, Kerouac, the Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus, and Immigration www.counterpunch.org/2025/08/27/b...

Beside the Golden Door

“Let nature do the freezing and frightening and isolating in this world. Let men work and love and fight it off.” —Jack Kerouac I woke up early this

www.counterpunch.org

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 19

Submissions are now open

The Chaos Section Poetry Project @chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social · Aug 19

Submissions are open for the next Chaos Section Poetry Project!
Theme: Coping Mechanisms
Submission Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025
Publication Date: Winter 2025
#opencall #poems #poetry #submissions #chapbook #publication #collection #anthology

thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/submissions/

Submissions

Submissions Are Open! Theme: Coping MechanismsSubmission Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025Publication Date: Winter 2025 Our first publication, Record of Dissent: Poems of Protest in an Authorita…

thechaossectionpoetryproject.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Aug 19

Super excited to be working with the wonderful and talented poet, Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social, on this next collection! Submissions are open starting now through September 15th. #Poems about #CopingMechanisms thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/submissions/

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · Aug 19

Hey, #BlueSky! I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be part of the selection and editorial process for this next #poetry #chapbook. We would love to receive your #poems about #coping mechanisms - the good, the bad, and inbetween - during this time of #Trump #authoritarianism. See below! #fdt

The Chaos Section Poetry Project @chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social · Aug 19

Submissions are open for the next Chaos Section Poetry Project!
Theme: Coping Mechanisms
Submission Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025
Publication Date: Winter 2025
#opencall #poems #poetry #submissions #chapbook #publication #collection #anthology

thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/submissions/

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Reposted by Nick Allison

Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social · Aug 17

The #poem that started them flowing for me again. Wasn't prepared to tear up when I saw this in my socials memories just now, but alas.

#poetry #writing

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Jul 29

Just posted a very short piece on "The Quitter" by Robert Service. My mom had this poem on the fridge when we were kids and encouraged us to memorize it. I’m glad she did: tcspress.com/2025/07/29/b... #TheQuitter #Poem #RobertService

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Jul 27

"A Visitor's Guide to Free Coffee"
thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/07/27/a...

A Visitor’s Guide to Free Coffee

When you spend enough time in a hospital—as a visitor, not a patient—you start to learn a few things. Like how the coffee costs moreat the first-floor caféthan it does on the second. But it’s free …

thetruthabouttigers.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Jul 27

Thanks to Rob and 6S for running my piece , "A Visitor's Guide to Free Coffee."
sixsentences.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-vi...

A Visitor's Guide to Free Coffee

by Nick Allison If you ever spend an entire month in a hospital—as a visitor, not a patient—you’ll start to learn a few things. Like how ...

sixsentences.blogspot.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Jul 25

Submission call for anonymous essays, if anyone is in to that kind of thing.

The Chaos Section Press @tcspress.bsky.social · Jul 24

Submission Call: We’re collecting real, anonymous stories for a printed book: confessions, regrets, secrets, moments you’ve never said out loud. No names. No judgment. Just your words.
#anonymous #callforsubmissions #creativewriting #essaycall #confession #nonfiction

tcspress.com/2025/07/24/s...

Submission Call: Seeking Anonymous Essays for Our Next Publication

I Probably Shouldn’t Be Telling You ThisAn Anonymous Collection of Confessions, Secrets, and Regrets From The Chaos Section PressWinter 2025 “Write like you’re a goddamn death row inmate and the go…

tcspress.com

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Reposted by Nick Allison

The Chaos Section Press @tcspress.bsky.social · Jul 24

Submission Call: We’re collecting real, anonymous stories for a printed book: confessions, regrets, secrets, moments you’ve never said out loud. No names. No judgment. Just your words.
#anonymous #callforsubmissions #creativewriting #essaycall #confession #nonfiction

tcspress.com/2025/07/24/s...

Submission Call: Seeking Anonymous Essays for Our Next Publication

I Probably Shouldn’t Be Telling You ThisAn Anonymous Collection of Confessions, Secrets, and Regrets From The Chaos Section PressWinter 2025 “Write like you’re a goddamn death row inmate and the go…

tcspress.com

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Nick Allison @nickallison80.bsky.social · Jul 21

Thank you 🙏