—there was no
spread. No phone calling
us back to discussions
containing options
between shit—and shittier.
We didn’t have to learn
six-syllable words that are
only synonyms
for suffering and casket.
In another line
of time, you never cried
when telling your grandkids
you love them
even if they don’t yet know
why your voice is shaking
over the phone.
In another line
of time, we have more than
the clock ticking down
six months
and the choice between
the blur of morphine or the
bone-deep agony of being
eaten from the inside out.
In another line
of time, I hug you
and it doesn’t
break
either one of us.
Alison McBain’s work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship, and a finalist for Best of the Net in 2025.
Questions and Answers
Do you use any resources that a young poet would find useful?
Yes—lots! My first suggestion would be to find a poetry group where you can share your work and get feedback. For example, there are a number of writing groups, both online and in person, on Meetup.com (I run one there myself, The Poets Salon: https://www.meetup.com/the-poets-salon/). Another great place to look is your local library. They might have groups or events with local poets, as well as open mics where you can read your poetry to a supportive audience. For example, one great group I belong to is Stroll of Poets in the Edmonton area of Alberta, and they welcome poets from all backgrounds and ages to share their work. They even have a special “Poets Under 25” reading event they put on each year.
Second, there are a lot of online databases that can help you find magazines, journals, contests, and other venues to submit your work, such as Poets & Writers (https://www.pw.org/), The Submission Grinder (https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/), Duotrope (https://duotrope.com/), and Submittable (https://www.submittable.com/), to name a few.
Last but not least, a lot of magazines are looking for slush readers and volunteers to help with reading other poets’ submissions. The best way to learn what works and what doesn’t is to read widely, and there’s no better way than to read the work of other poets who are looking for publication. You’ll add a good credit to your resume by being a volunteer, learn what it takes to be a published poet . . . and it also doesn’t hurt to know the editor when submitting your writing. At the very least, you’ll probably get some good feedback from him/her.
As a published writer, what are your tips or words of motivation for the aspiring poet?
When I was younger, it was both easier and harder to get started in poetry. Harder because there was no internet to search up where to submit poetry, online poetry groups, or the like. Easier because there wasn’t so much information to drown in.
However, there is one thing that’s the same: persistence. Any writing goal is achievable as long as you map it out and take steps to make it happen. For example, getting published. It’s hard when you’ve written fantastic poems and don’t know where to send them. Every place looks daunting because there are writers in the magazine who have a zillion credits to their names. However, a good place to start is somewhere small. Don’t rule out fantastic, long-running magazines or journals (such as this one), but also look at smaller places to begin. Get some publishing credits under your belt. Take classes and build up your resume as you do so. Libraries are a great resource. So are writing groups. Surround yourself with the creativity of other poets, read poetry, and write, write, write.
Here’s another tip: all writers have started out somewhere and have probably had at least one experienced author help them along the way. If you think some big name mucky-muck won’t help you—you just might be wrong. The writing community is very friendly because we all remember when we were unpublished and full of dreams that hadn’t yet been fulfilled. So . . . reach out. Say hi. You might be surprised when someone says hi back.
And don’t give up. Rejection is a part of the game. I could wallpaper my house in the rejections I’ve received over my lifetime. Not everything you write will be great or publishable or something you love. But keep going, don’t give up, become immersed in the writing community, and you’ll eventually get where you’re meant to be.