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James Allen Hall

@jamesallenhall.bsky.social

Poet. Essayist. Co-host of Breaking Form: A Podcast of Poetry and Culture. All opinions are my own.

899 Followers  |  819 Following  |  51 Posts  |  Joined: 02.11.2023
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Posts by James Allen Hall (@jamesallenhall.bsky.social)

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Thanks to Gabriel Fried for being a fabulous interview guest and to @anmlymag.bsky.social for publishing this conversation about queerness, poetic form, and subversive beauty.

medium.com/anomalyblog/...

18.02.2026 18:18 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
INHERITANCE AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS OF LIFE, AT CORRESPONDING SEASONS OF THE YEAR, AS LIMITED BY SEX
β€œSome species invent facts about the living
to explain the dead. I cannot fathom the bones
I find in the woods posed themselves like this,
though some species of grief find meaning
in minutia, a mechanism for survival. It is hard
to imagine a face for each skull.”
James Allen Hall (The Adroit Journal)
BEST OF THE NET 2025: POETRY SELECTION

INHERITANCE AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS OF LIFE, AT CORRESPONDING SEASONS OF THE YEAR, AS LIMITED BY SEX β€œSome species invent facts about the living to explain the dead. I cannot fathom the bones I find in the woods posed themselves like this, though some species of grief find meaning in minutia, a mechanism for survival. It is hard to imagine a face for each skull.” James Allen Hall (The Adroit Journal) BEST OF THE NET 2025: POETRY SELECTION

Check out one of our 2025 Poetry Selections, "Inheritance at Corresponding Periods of Life, at Corresponding Seasons of the Year, as Limited by Sex" by @jamesallenhall.bsky.social (The Adroit Journal) selected by Ruben Quesada

#bestofthenetanthology #poetrywriting #finalist

16.02.2026 19:44 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Under a Warm Green Linden, Issue 17 β€” Green Linden Press

β€œβ€˜Are you all right,’ Duhaney asks me at the bar, / β€˜You look like you just stepped on a nail.’ He bends / to my ear, β€˜I have such a crush on you’” β€” @jamesallenhall.bsky.social, β€œDirty Joke” www.greenlindenpress.com/issue17-jame...

01.02.2026 13:24 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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1417: My Mother's Love by James Allen Hall Today’s poem is My Mother's Love by James Allen Hall.

A knockout poem by BlueSky poet @jamesallenhall.bsky.social
www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2025...

22.12.2025 19:25 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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If you missed Season 3's interviews, now's a good time to catch up. We loved each of these conversations!
breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com

(Now playing: new, ~10 minute poetry salons as we enjoy a recharge through the new year)

22.12.2025 22:41 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Julene! That's so kind of you to say. πŸ’•

22.12.2025 22:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Can you find $5 for amazing, deserving, bright students? We're close to reaching our goal of meeting a match challenge! Every dollar would make a difference in these kids' lives.

tinyurl.com/LightofDayIn...
select Centers of Excellence
then Literary House Light of Day

10.12.2025 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Can you pitch in $5 to help these youngsters get a little light? We're raising money for the Light of Day Internships, which pair students with literary organizations. Please, help us give the Light of Day.

Visit tinyurl.com/tx827sfj & select "Centers of Excellence" & "Literary House Light of Day"

06.12.2025 16:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Each birthday, I beg for donations for my students. It's easy to make a plea for kids whose idea of a good time is making books from scratch. If you can give $5, I'd be so grateful to pass it on!

Visit tinyurl.com/tx827sfj & select "Centers of Excellence," then "Lit House Light of Day"

04.12.2025 18:10 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Chip in $5 to help us build the Light of Day Internship Program. Please? Super please?
Fly on over to advancement.washcoll.edu/portal/ddgd2...
and select "Centers of Excellence," and then "Literary House--Light of Day."

Thank you for doing some good for our deserving students!

02.12.2025 22:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This week, we welcome former Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith to talk about poetry, democracy, fear, & poems by Joy Harjo, Francisco MΓ‘rquez, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Lucie Brock-Broido, and @dseuss.bsky.social

Listen wherever you get your fearless podcasts, or online at breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com

17.11.2025 13:41 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We get out our pair of big crystal balls and predict the 2025 National Book Award in Poetry. Tune in for the tea at breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com, or wherever you get your piping hot awards gossip served.

05.11.2025 13:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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β€œDraw Me Back Again, a porn elegy” by James Allen Hall I like art best when its artifice dissolves. Pull back the curtain: It’s me, looking sheepish. Which me is almost irrelevant: I’ll answer to any name you call. Surrendering is only erotic when what…

I have a new essay (about gay porn, cicadas, internet time, and longing as mourning) up at @anotherchicagomag.bsky.social.

The piece comes from a collaborative book-length essay written alongside poets Aaron Smith & David Trinidad.

anotherchicagomagazine.net/2025/11/04/d...

04.11.2025 23:33 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cherry Tree is published once per year. Subscriptions to are $15 for one year and $26 for two. More information here: washington-college.square.site/literary-hou...

22.10.2025 14:36 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cherry Tree is delighted to reveal our second Pushcart Prize nomination: Julie Marie Wade's "From the Jeopardy! Category, THE SUBJUNCTIVE:" which appeared in Issue 11. We know we can always turn to Julie's work for the exact right questions!

22.10.2025 14:36 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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We're revealing our Pushcart Prize nominations this week. Follow along and help us to celebrate these terrific writers!

And you can subscribe here, if you're so moved:
washington-college.square.site/shop/cherry-...

21.10.2025 00:38 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Check out our interview with David Duchovny, author of the poetry book _About Time_ (@akashicbooks.bsky.social).
You can listen online at breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com, or wherever you find your podcasts (& sure, we absolutely 100% coincided this release with the character Fox Mulder's birthday.πŸ‘Œ)

13.10.2025 18:55 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The queens visit Pittsburgh for a big dose of poetry -- occasioned by a weekend of events held in tribute to Ed Ochester (1939-2023). It's a dishy episode, despite the elegiac occasion. Listen online at
breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com
or wherever you mine your poetry.

29.09.2025 16:49 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

HUUUUUGE congratulations to Lit House Associate Director Roy Kesey for winning this prestigious prize for his new book, LORE, out from Sarabande in May 2027.

25.09.2025 17:49 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Two weeks left to submit to Cherry Tree! Check out our guidelines at

cherrytree.submittable.com

20.09.2025 15:34 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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What Senior Fiction Reader @nicanstett.bsky.social is enjoying when not reading submissions: fabulous books by @riggstah.bsky.social and @tonytula.com

Cherry Tree is open for submissions until October 1!
cherrytree.submittable.com/submit

17.09.2025 19:56 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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When she's not reading submissions, CNF Editor Sufiya Abdur-Rahman is reading recent books by Rachel L. Swarns @rachelswarns.bsky.social and by CT 9 contributor Kristin Keane.

Cherry Tree is open for submissions til October 1 at cherrytree.submittable.com/submit

27.08.2025 20:01 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We asked our editors to name 2 books they're reading (when they're not reading Cherry Tree submissions). Fiction Editor extraordinaire @sarahblackman.bsky.social recommends books by former CT contributor @alvinlu.bsky.social and by Thalia Field.

We're open til Oct 1!
cherrytree.submittable.com

16.08.2025 19:29 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Cherry Tree logo joined by book covers for Blas Falconer's Rara Avis (poems) and Anelise Chen's Clam Down: A Metamorphosis. Other text says "what we're reading when we're not reading your work" that these picks are by Alyse Bensel, Cherry Tree poetry editor.

Cherry Tree logo joined by book covers for Blas Falconer's Rara Avis (poems) and Anelise Chen's Clam Down: A Metamorphosis. Other text says "what we're reading when we're not reading your work" that these picks are by Alyse Bensel, Cherry Tree poetry editor.

We asked our editors: what are 2 books you're reading when you're not reading Cherry Tree submissions?

Poetry Editor Alyse Bensel's answer: Rara Avis by former CT contributor @blasfalconer.bsky.social & Anelise Chen's Clam Down.

Cherry Tree is open til October 1
cherrytree.submittable.com

13.08.2025 19:28 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This week's episode takes place, places place, and plants poetry in your [placeholder]. Poets mentioned include @tracibrimhall.bsky.social @joseolivarez.bsky.social & @adrianmatejka.bsky.social among others!

Listen wherever you get your poetry podcasts, or online at breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com

11.08.2025 20:50 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cherry Tree is open for submissions through October 1. Send us your poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. All accepted pieces are considered for our special section of Literary Shade!

cherrytree.submittable.com

09.08.2025 15:57 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Best of the Net – Best of the Net Anthology

Check out the whole anthology here! bestofthenetanthology.com

04.08.2025 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Inheritance At Corresponding Periods Of Life, At Corresponding Seasons Of The Year, As Limited By Sex – Best of the Net

Many thanks to @rubenq.bsky.social for curating a terrific poetry section in Best of the Net 2025, and for including a poem of mine first published in @adroitjournal.bsky.social!
bestofthenetanthology.com/2025-2/2025-...

04.08.2025 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Smoke 'em if you got 'em! "Poetry Babies" is now streaming on Breaking Form. You can listen wherever you get your cigars and strollers, or online at breakingformpod.buzzsprout.com.

29.07.2025 12:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
FANTASY. The father parks outside the Pleasure Place but does not turn off the ignition. Tells his son, I’ll just be a second. An hour later, is found among the lifelike vaginas: your mom wants something but I can’t do it, and when his kid asks, my father says, rape fantasy, and his good son buys the video while he sits in the car. No big deal, I lie, handing over the paper bag that means it’s a sin to see inside. The movie plays inside my head. Every time I take to my bed alone, begin the ritual, private tenderness, I can’t stop unreeling it, can’t stop the man, his chest above my face so close I could punch him in his ribs, scrape off skin or a nipple, anything not to replay it exactly. James Allen Hall

FANTASY. The father parks outside the Pleasure Place but does not turn off the ignition. Tells his son, I’ll just be a second. An hour later, is found among the lifelike vaginas: your mom wants something but I can’t do it, and when his kid asks, my father says, rape fantasy, and his good son buys the video while he sits in the car. No big deal, I lie, handing over the paper bag that means it’s a sin to see inside. The movie plays inside my head. Every time I take to my bed alone, begin the ritual, private tenderness, I can’t stop unreeling it, can’t stop the man, his chest above my face so close I could punch him in his ribs, scrape off skin or a nipple, anything not to replay it exactly. James Allen Hall

β€œThe father parks outside the Pleasure Place / but does not turn off the ignition. / Tells his son, I’ll just be a second. An hour later, / is found among the lifelike vaginas” β€” @jamesallenhall.bsky.social, β€œFantasy” @fourwaybooks.bsky.social

22.07.2025 11:26 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0