K.J. Ramsey

A flock crossed
the circle as rays
stretched through
my open hand. Tabitha
says on the coldest days
the sky does not absorb
the light; it magnifies it.

I could not feel
my fingertips but I slipped
off a glove to raise
a bare palm in greeting
to the light that only comes
when ice crystals stand
between self and sun.

This is how we’ll survive the winter.
—Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025

On the most bitter day
of winter, rainbows
chased the sun’s heels
herding diamond dust
into a halo I only saw
because I stopped
to fill my tires.

Unintentionally triggered some exvangelical folks when I said I wanted to “submit” more this year (to clarify: I want to submit more to lit mags, not to men [not ever])

Yesterday I learned their name—sergeant major!!—I threw my arms up in praise and squealed!

What are some of your favorite literary journals for poetry? (Bonus affection if you include why.)

I would love to connect with more Colorado Springs poets! Point me in the right direction or tell me about yourself.

Oh also, every day but *especially* this day feels like a good day to remind you that one of the 2 biggest orgs against the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was the Evangelical Christian school lobby.
Guess who's looking to settle some scores! 💫🙏🏼
#DefendtheADA

Oh! Thank you for the kind welcome! I plan to stay on IG, but to be there much less than in the past. Substack’s where I show up the most these days. Nice to “meet” you!

A photo in a bright blue ocean with KJ and her dad snorkeling among striped yellow fishes

Hi! As an author, I am equally tired of being tamed by capitalism’s lust for commodifying the self and Christianity’s delusions of certainty. I’m here because I’ve heard it might be a friendlier place for the increasingly feral, like me.

Time to roar, and share small joys, like these fishes.