Shelly Rodrigue

Today is Day 265 of the Stafford Challenge, and I have written as many poems as the number of days, not all of them good but all of them a personal win for me. It's astounding to think I have only 100 more days to go. Then, I will begin again.

Today, I wrote an abecedarian of which cheeses I would try in the Cheese Academy’s Library of Cheeses. Quite pleased with myself. 🧀

Hey, y'all! The Stars Anthology, featuring my poem "My Mother was the Moon," is out now from Verseve. You can download it for free on Kindle from October 1st through October 5th. If you'd prefer to buy a print copy, you can order it at the link below.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSNM6KW...

Here’s a video of me reading my villanelle, “Destiny,” from the Lost Love Anthology published by Orenaug Mountain Publishing.

Had a great time reading from Orenaug Mountain Publishing’s Lost Love Anthology with fellow featured poets from the area. Many thanks to Sandy Carlson for organizing this event as well as to Faith Vicinanza for sharing her studio space with us.

I am excited to announce that I have a poem forthcoming in Verseve's Stars Anthology. I'll share the link once the anthology becomes available. For those of you who, like me, have always been enthralled by the stars, this is one you don't want to miss.

This poetry collection by Louisiana writers, artists remember Katrina and Rita: 'It feeds the soul' The collection contains poetry and artwork from 44 Louisiana writers and/or artists, all of whom were impacted by the hurricanes and had to rebuild their lives.

The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is this Friday. I was a teenager, living on the outskirts of New Orleans, when the storm devastated the city. I’m honored to be included in this anthology with my fellow Louisiana poets.

Join us TONIGHT for Multimedia Writing: Hybrid Prose/Poetry,” a free virtual workshop led by Emma Sheinbaum from 6:00-7:30 PM EST! sundressblog.com/2025/07/28/s...

Gibson’s work has always moved me. It seems the earth should shake in acknowledgment of such a loss to the world.

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

Black text on a beige background. It contains the text of Mary Oliver’s poem, “Mysteries, Yes.” Mysteries, Yes Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs. How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising. How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken. How people come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem. Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company always with those who say "Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads. @maryoliverofficial

Thinking of Mary Oliver today.

Sharing Grapes by Shelly Rodrigue (BUGS & INSECTS Series) Sharing Grapes by Shelly Rodrigue The tiny spider has made her tiny home right in the center of the cluster of grapes sitting on my breakfast plate. The grapes are perfectly cold, green, and juicy.…

Many thanks to Silver Birch Press for featuring my poem “Sharing Grapes” on their website. Check it out!

silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2025/08/09/s...

I saw two goldfinches today. That seems important.

Remembering this Emily Dickinson poem today.

I don't have the words to express the deep sense of loss I have in learning of the death of Andrea Gibson, a poet whose words have always struck me powerfully. All I know how to do is return to the page with even more urgency, and let Gibson's words continue to illuminate the way for me.

"How dreary - to be - Somebody!" -Emily Dickinson

A picture of a crowded New Orleans street from the perspective of the crowd in what appears to be a second line, complete with brass band and umbrellas. In the background of the picture is a house, clearly destroyed by hurricanes.

I am thrilled to announce that three of my poems have been accepted for publication in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 20: an Anthology of Louisiana Poetry with Art. Many thanks to Mona Lisa Saloy and John Warner Smith for bringing this incredible anthology to life.

Eating Cheese with My Rich Friends - River & South Review by Shelly Rodrigue

Many thanks to River & South Review for publishing my poem, "Eating Cheese with My Rich Friends," in their latest issue. Check it out at the link below.
riverandsouth.com/eating-chees...

A rainbow EKG line with a broken heart containing the rainbow flag on one side and trans flag on the other. Text above the heartbeat line states “Pride isn’t about turning straight kids into queer kids.” Text below the heartbeat line states “Pride is about not turning queer kids into dead kids.”

A rare personal moment: I was almost one of those dead kids. I had one affirming adult in my life, and though she didn’t know I was queer at the time, she is the reason I am alive. Be mindful. Be kind. You can save lives.

I have to remind myself that my goal each day for The Stafford Challenge is not necessarily a finished product but simply to have written something I had not written before--a line, an idea, an image I can't let go of.

But I did manage to write a new shadorma today, so there's that.

Happy Pride, y'all 🏳️‍🌈. I've been too occupied carrying out the gay agenda to post. 😂

The Stafford Challenge 2024-25 Anthology Featuring work from acclaimed poets like Kim Stafford, Naomi Shihab Nye and more, this poetry anthology represents some of the thousands of poems written by the poets of The Stafford Challenge.

Many thanks to Brian Rohr for including my poem "Wheelbarrow" in this lovely anthology among so many wonderful poets. The book can be purchased at the link below.
wildpoetpress.com/anthology/

Orenaug Mountain Publishing - Lost Love News

Many thanks to Sandy Lee Carlson for including my villanelle, "Destiny," in the Lost Love Anthology. You can read a sample, my poem included, at the link below.
www.orenaugmountainpublishing.com/poetry-colle...

Today is day 117 of The Stafford Challenge. I am tired, but I have to keep going.

Verseve Butterflies anthology is out now!!!
Free ebook from May 2nd-May 6th 2025!
Paperback version will be available shortly.
Learn more:
verseve.gabriellev.art/butterflies-...

#poetry #anthology #verseve #butterflies

It’s been wonderful so far. Challenging myself to write a poem a day is rewarding and exhausting. I love being involved in the community of poets with so much encouragement and sharing. It helps keep me accountable to the promise I made to myself that I would write more. How about you?

Butterflies: Anthology Amazon.com: Butterflies: Anthology eBook : V, Gabrielle: Kindle Store

Today's the day--Verseve's Butterfly Anthology, featuring several of my poems, is available on Amazon. You can read the book for free on Kindle or purchase a copy at the link below.
www.amazon.com/Butterflies-...

Check out my poem, “His Guitar,” in Syncopation Literary Journal.

THE APRIL 2025 30/30 PAGE Welcome to the 30/30 Project, an extraordinary challenge and fundraiser for Tupelo Press, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) literary press. Each month, volunteer poets run the equivalent of a “poetry marathon,” w...

Day 30 / Poem 30, "Tonka Bean Tree," is my final poem for the 30/30 Project. Thank you all for reading. It has been an absolute pleasure to share my words with you.

www.tupelopress.org/the-april-20...

THE APRIL 2025 30/30 PAGE Welcome to the 30/30 Project, an extraordinary challenge and fundraiser for Tupelo Press, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) literary press. Each month, volunteer poets run the equivalent of a “poetry marathon,” w...

Day 29 / Poem 29 is an erasure titled "Bone Collector."

www.tupelopress.org/the-april-20...