poetry

Blog posts workspace sjl-11-1200x630 (2)

August 3, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Magaju” By Eric Lawson

Eric Lawson Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, desert imagery, Kent Ohio writers, poetry, Pushcart Prize nominee, small press poetry

This week’s Poetry Spotlight features “Magaju” by Pushcart‑nominated author Eric Lawson. The last line punches. 🌍🌧️

A full moon against a black sky is centered between two columns of poetic text about release, love, and letting go, with credits to r. tanksley, k. hiatt, and @alteredtarot.

June 8, 2026

release/waning moon in aquarius/detach from old habits and limiting perspectives

Unencumbered Press Altered Tarot, Metaphysical, Photography, Poetry, The Altered Tarot Deck and Guidebook full moon energy, healing journey, intuitive guidance, k hiatt, love and release, lunar magic, metaphysical art, moon photography, moon ritual, mystical imagery, poetic spellwork, poetry, r tanksley, release ritual, shadow work, spiritual healing, tarot art, Tarot community, Transformation

release ⛓️‍💥 waning moon in aquarius 🌖 detach from old habits and limiting perspectives ✨

Two images on a warm orange gradient background featuring a poem and the Seven of Wands (reversed) with text interpreting the card’s meaning.

May 10, 2026

Waning/Waning Moon in Pisces/Seven of Wands Reversed

Unencumbered Press Altered Tarot, Metaphysical, Photography, Poetry, The Altered Tarot Deck and Guidebook contemporary poetry, intuitive practice, Kristin Hiatt, letting go, Magnolia, poetry, Renewal, Robyn Tanksley, Seven of Wands reversed, spiritual reflection, symbolism, tarot, tarot deck, waning moon

A magnolia blossom, a waning‑moon poem, and the Seven of Wands (reversed) offer a quiet reflection on release, softness, and trusting what’s shifting.

April 8, 2026

What is over/Last Quarter Moon/The Star

Unencumbered Press Altered Tarot, Metaphysical, Photography, Poetry, The Altered Tarot Deck and Guidebook art and tarot, Creative Writing, emotional healing, emotional renewal, ex‑lover reading, introspection, photography, poetry, relationships, symbolism, tarot, The Star card, visual poetry, wilted flower

Poetry + Photography + Tarot what is over 🌗 last quarter moon in capricorn ♑️ the star tarot ⭐️ you don’t have to wait for anyone’s awakening ⛓️‍💥 you are not responsible for your partner’s self-care —@alteredtarot Tonight’s post is shaped by the Capricorn Last Quarter Moon and the Star’s guidance—a reminder that stepping away from what is over is an act of alignment, not abandonment. It brings together a new poem on unraveling and […]

January 30, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Gone” by Theresa MacDonald

Theresa MacDonald Grief, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight attention, care, childhood, contemporary poetry, domestic life, grace, interior life, january poems, light and dark, loss, lyric poetry, Memory, mortality, poetry, quiet moments, restraint, sequence, time, Transformation

Gone The look in her eyes,deep and dark,told the storywithout words. White—why white,crisp sheetsand not blueor polka dots? Somehowshe was trappedon this bed, the pull of her worldclosing intoo soon. When we were kidsher gravity of gracecould make the ocean sway, not unlikethe moon. I guess I will have totransform into a fireflyto bring light and joy, to see herin the night— next time.

Black-and-white photo of stone saints set into a church façade, overlaid with an orange banner reading “Poetry Spotlight: ‘The Saints Are Sad’ by Theresa Macdonald,” with Unencumbered Press branding.

January 23, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “The Saints are Sad” by Theresa MacDonald

Theresa MacDonald Poetry, Poetry Spotlight catholic imagery, church, contemporary poetry, doubt, faith, loss, lyric poetry, lyric restraint, Memory, poetry, poetry spotlight, prayer, reflection, religion, religious trauma, Renewal, ritual, sacred objects, saints, spirituality, time

Theresa is a poet who grew up in a large family and began writing late at night at the kitchen counter, when the house was quiet, and the demands of daily life momentarily receded. Pushing aside piles of unfolded laundry, she wrote poems shaped by care, necessity, and attention. Her work favors lyric restraint and emotional clarity and explores memory, time, and the enduring ties between past and present. The Saints are Sad Is […]