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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 7d

Honorable Mentions: "Ars Poetica, with Foxes" by Lauren Delapenha and "Neuroception" by Jill Haugen

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 7d

Congrats to the Fare Forward Poetry Competition winners!
First Place: "Dire Wolf" by Isabel Cristina Legarda (@poetintheor.bsky.social)
Second Place: "Wisdom" by Joyce Schmid
Third Place: "Postcard from Mexico City, 15 July 2025" by Alena Coleman

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 26d

Many thanks to Earth & Altar (@earthandaltarmag.com) for publishing my poem “Ode to Doilies” and offering some space for playful theological aesthetics.
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/ode-to...

Ode to Doilies — Earth and Altar

Not to the paper wisps, not those sliced by machine, but the ones that wearied a woman’s fingers.  The ones piled in an antique shop, ten for a dollar and sure to be mocked  if noticed at...

earthandaltarmag.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jul 15

So incredibly proud of my twin flame, Monty Bennett, for writing this incredibly thoughtful, vulnerable, and important essay about her experience as a gay Christian. I consider this required reading.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

I Left My Church—And Found Christianity

No one should have to choose between their community and their own integrity.

www.theatlantic.com

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Psaltery & Lyre @psalteryandlyre.bsky.social · May 30

"What makes some political poems last while others feel more like edifying sermons that I will soon forget?... James Cherry's ‘Between Chance and Mercy’ came in to answer my question."

@whitlynnrioross.bsky.social reviews "Between Chance and Mercy" by James E. Cherry

Book Review: “Between Chance and Mercy” by James E. Cherry

Review by Whitney Rio-Ross

psalteryandlyre.org

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · May 22

I was delighted to have this poem in EcoTheo Review last week! I also 100% recommend screaming in a field for your mental health.

EcoTheo Collective @ecotheo.bsky.social · May 14

"Via Dolorosa” by Whitney Rio-Ross. Read more from our Winter 2024 Issue by clicking the link in our bio. @whitlynnrioross
#ecotheo #celebratewonder #poetry #ecotheoreview

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · May 14

Follow Marci! Her poetry is a gift.

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Apr 14

(Note: It was also a procession. The NYT has been consistently bad at Opinion headlines to make hot takes ever hotter, and the author does not use this phrasing.)

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Apr 14

There are roughly a thousand important theological takeaways from Palm Sunday, and this is one that is far too often ignored.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/o...

Opinion | Palm Sunday Was a Protest, Not a Procession

Jesus’ procession was a parody of imperial power — a deliberate mockery of Roman spectacle and a prophetic enactment of a kingdom not built on violence but on justice.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

NPR @npr.org · Apr 11

The State Department didn’t reveal the rationale for having these visas rescinded.

(via @keranews.org)

Visas revoked for students, graduates at multiple Texas universities amid deportation efforts

Dozens of students and recent graduates in Texas have had their legal status changed by the U.S Department of State over the last few weeks.

www.keranews.org

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Megan McDermott (she/her) @megmcdermott92.bsky.social · Apr 6

Post-youth group Lucille Clifton

i am accused of tending to the past as if i made it, as if i sculpted it
with my own hands. i did not. this past was waiting for me when i came, a monstrous unnamed baby, and i with my mother's itch took it to breast and named it History.
she is more human now, learning language everyday,
remembering faces, names and dates. when she is strong enough to travel on her own, beware, she will.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Apr 6

This week, my sister offered culture recs in The Atlantic Daily, and they included part of my poem originally published in @rogueagent.bsky.social 😮 I accept this nepotism as payment for years of being a chauffeur, secret keeper, & help in times of troublemaking.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

A hilarious movie that understands the South

www.theatlantic.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Apr 4

I finally made/updated an author website. Thank you to poet Lauren Smothers for letting me use her wonderful photography!
www.whitneyrioross.com

Whitney Rio-Ross

www.whitneyrioross.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Mar 21

Thank you, Megan!

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Mar 21

I'm honored to be included in the gorgeous @lastsyllablelit.bsky.social's latest issue! Many thanks to them for publishing this long poem that took me forever to write as I wrestled with what it means to be the descendent of a long line of white Southerners.
lastsyllablelit.com/heres-a-trut...

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Feb 18

We have been in Texas for less than 24 hours, and my accent has already gotten stronger. God help me.

Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

UNC Press @uncpress.bsky.social · Jan 31

Recently, UNC Press authors have had their US visas revoked and talks canceled.

For over 100 years, we have stood for academic freedom and open discourse, and continue to do so. Read more on the UNC Press Blog ⬇️

Academic Freedom and Open Discourse - UNC Press Blog

For over 100 years UNC Press has championed the principles of academic freedom, open discourse, and the free exchange of ideas—values essential to a democratic society and the pursuit of knowledge. R...

uncpressblog.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jan 31

And if you can't get a ticket, send me a note, and I'll send you the Zoom link!

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jan 31

Want to hear wonderful poems to kick off your weekend? Come to The Still Point, featuring the winners of the Fare Forward Poetry Competition!
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-still-...

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jan 21

Proud to see my sister starting off this presidency by holding spineless power seekers accountable.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

Republican Leaders Once Thought January 6 Was ‘Tragic’

Republicans used to denounce the violent insurrectionists of January 6. Their rhetoric is no longer operative.

www.theatlantic.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jan 8

Thank you!

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Jan 6

Happy belated birthday, Matthew!

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Peter Lilly Poetry @plpoetry.bsky.social · Jan 1

farefwd.com/index.php/20...

I'm really honoured & moved by this beautifully written & meaningful review of my second collection "A Handful of Prayers"

Thanks to Matthew Pullar for writing it & to @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social & the team at Fare Forward for publishing it.

A Handful of Prayers – Fare Forward

farefwd.com

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · Dec 5

Language and dance are my love languages. Thank you so much to Earth & Altar for publishing this poem.

Earth & Altar @earthandaltarmag.com · Dec 5

“I count the paths taken to land me
twirling under a roof of woven accents:
three weddings, two countries, one divorce,
countless conjugations for a broken I love you.”

Today’s poem is by Whitney Rio-Ross.

earthandaltarmag.com/posts/cancin...

CANCIÓN DE AMOR — Earth and Altar

It begins wordless, hum and sway  as telenovela ghosts draw Abuela across the room,  eyes closed as she takes my husband’s hands,  crooning lyrics he can’t follow but a tune  ...

earthandaltarmag.com

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Megan McDermott (she/her) @megmcdermott92.bsky.social · Dec 1

Love this new poem from @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social!

"...God was the Christmas pageant star.

God was not a girl. The earth he made
with apples seeds, the heavens with half-priced glitter.

We danced, and God smiled..."

Rogue Agent Journal @rogueagent.bsky.social · Dec 1

Shadow puppets, a dove, and an exploding notebook…RA 117 is here! With poetry by Stella Brice @wordperv Jaylani Loveday @karennmcpherson Kathy Nelson @whitlynnrioross Alana Torrez Yuan Changming & @suzi00 // www.rogueagentjournal.com/issue117

Issue 117 — RogueAgent

Welcome!

www.rogueagentjournal.com

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