Here’s a run-down of my publishing creds:

• Non-fiction: 99 percent
• Fiction: 1 percent
• Poetry: 0 percent

Until yesterday, that is.

Yesterday, I had my first poem published in the inaugural issue of Teach. Write.  This is a literary journal for teachers of writing, and, as you’ve probably already surmised since I am included, it is amazing.

It gets even better because I actually had two poems published.  The first is The Rule of Apostrophes, which resulted from my rather awkward attempts to explain what I thought was an easy grammar rule.  Somehow I was struck by the two contrasting functions of the Apostrophe and I wondered what this might mean in the cosmic scheme of things.  It’s an exploration!

My other poem is part of the journal’s ongoing Write Your Own series in which teachers write a piece based on a writing prompt they use with their students.  I wrote Sensing Blue, a poem cycle based on the prompt:

Describe a color without using the sense of sight.

I love that prompt, but I can’t claim it as my own.  I completely stole it from my writing friend, Melody Lindsey, who died unexpectedly a few years ago.

I have to say that as special as it is to have my first poetry published in the journal, it is even more special to have the privilege of writing a tribute to Melody as an introduction to the poem.

Teach. Write. is worth your time, especially if you are a teacher of writing.  You can read it online for free or buy your own print copy.

Enjoy!