My poems “Branching” and “Shock (And Other Clutching Things)” are in Issue 6 of Pictura Journal! I wrote both poems in April of 2025 during a grueling month-long challenge to write a poem a day. Pictura Journal’s issue truly blew me away. It’s one of the most carefully, beautifully curated literary magazines I’ve seen in some time. This indie literary journal features poems, fiction, and art grounded in strong imagery. Particularly, that imagery evokes a sense of place. Years ago, I believe my own love for this kind of writing is part of what drew me to the Romantic poets, taking me from Kentucky to Bristol, England to earn my graduate degree in 19th-century poetry.
In a great interview from 2024, founder and editor-in-chief Alicia Wright explained how the journal’s vision inspired its name: “I’ve always been obsessed with the idea of ‘image as narrative,’ and I wanted a name that made the same statement. I couldn’t tell you the first time I read the Latin phrase ut pictura poesis . . . but when I was formulating the idea for the journal, ‘as is poetry, so is painting’ pointed directly at what I was aiming for.”
I felt this vision strongly in all the poetry and fiction. Stephanie Jones’s “Yards at Night” was gripping. And I loved Roslin Cordain’s “Toast & Co.,” so tender and evocative. This is to say nothing of the art. I’m passionate about giving new artists outlets for their work, even if they’re still early in their journey. In this case, though, the artwork feels very mature to me. Beyond the skill required to produce it, there’s such a defined, fully manifested voice in each piece of set of pieces.
Check out the full issue and all it has to offer! Even more than usual, seeing my writing in this collection is a delight and an honor.
If you’d like to keep up with my writing journey, check out the Author-Oddity Newsletter! In addition to personal updates, I also share oddities that inspired my writing for the month. And if you’d like to read some of my other poems or fiction, check out my list of publications at my Books page.