"…it is not the stones, / But the child’s mound—” nominated for a Pushcart Prize

Earlier this year, Flight: A Literary Sampler published my golden shovel “…it is not the stones, / But the child’s mound—” in their inaugural issue. Now they have nominated it for a Pushcart alongside some amazing writers, which is very cool.

"Stage Proxemics" nominated for a Pushcart Prize

I'm honored to announce that my creative nonfiction piece “Stage Proxemics” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Pangyrus.

My brother is a fucking badass. Always has been. Even before he was my brother. I learned how to walk trying to keep up at Afrocentric art shows, poetry readings, dramatic performances, rallies, and protests. He taught me that Black Lives Mattered before the proto-progressives in Boston had heard of George Floyd or Rodney King. I tell people I’m on at least five government watchlists. Between lessons about IRA activities in local catholic parishes and revolutionaries smoking cigars with Fidel Castro, at least one of those lists is definitely his fault.

Pushcart Nomination for "The Quiet Part"

My CNF piece “The Quiet Part” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by In Short.

“when asked what it’s like being a poet” in Whale Road Review & Nominated for a Pushcart

My poem “when asked what it’s like being a poet” is is based on one of my favorite poems to teach, “The Art of Disappearing” by Naomi Shihab Nye. It is published in the latest issue of Whale Road Review, and have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize!

"Perspective" nominated for a Pushcart

Happy to hear that my CNF piece “Perspective” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by After the Art.

More on the story here.

Poem nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Pensive Journal

My poem "dispatches from the desk of Danel: the self-designated disciple and messianic anger-management translator" was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts.

And yes, it’s “Danel” in the title, not “Daniel.”

Pushcart Nomination from The Elevation Review

My poem “on the morning I was cancelled by the CRT karens” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by The Elevation Review.

Pushcart Prize Nomination from The Worcester Review

My poem “curriculum development” was nominated by The Worcester Review for a Pushcart Prize!

Pushcart Nomination from Pangyrus Literary Mag

I’m happy to announce that my poem "what i learned during Black history month" by billy, age 8 (or 18) was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Pangyrus . You can read it below.

"some students give apples" Nominated for a Pushcart Prize

Confession time.

I was seeing writers I LOVE being nominated for Pushcarts and Best of the Nets all over the place, and feeling VERY PROUD/HAPPY for them, but also a little sad that it wasn’t me.

I also recognized feeling surprise that it wasn’t me, which was very unusual, until I realized that I’ve been nominated for a Pushcart or BoTN (or both) every year since 2018.

After some soul-searching and smacking of self, I remembered I’m not owed a damn thing. That I will lean into my joy for others. That I write for me, regardless of whether anyone else notices.

And then I got an email from Relief Journal saying my poem “some students give apples” was nominated for a Pushcart. All the above remains true, but the recognition is still nice.

Poem Nominated for a Pushcart Prize

I’m pleased to announce that Porcupine Literary nominated my poem “an open letter to the secretary who asked how i haven’t taken to drink or schedule 1 narcotics like so many of our colleagues” for the Pushcart Prize.

Maybe this is the time the powers that be will move me from a nominate to a recipient. But I’m honored nonetheless.