Our Dandelion Scribes Halloween Holiday Special is inspired by Frances Denise’s “This Tired Bench.” Beginning with the lines, Here I am again on this tired bench / Sitting with the ghosts of old stories—the poem invites us to imagine the ghosts that haunt us as stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. We asked poets near & far to tell their own ghost stories: to consider the spirits that seem to sit with us through grief & fear, that challenge our understanding, that bring chaos as well as comfort, that enhance clarity, that reinforce contradiction. The result is a collection of complicated hauntings—both welcome and not—reaching a whole range of emotional experiences and inviting our pasts to speak in the present. Some of the ghostly poems published here pay homage to our ancestors, honoring & remembering those who came before. Some reveal the darkness that lives within our own souls. Some offer a retelling of folkloric tales, drawing inspiration from literature & mythology. Some connect with the collective while others are deeply personal. Some seek to recount lessons learned. Some sink further into the depths of despair. However, whether real or imagined, each haunting carries truth, and each poem provides a glimpse into the spiritual nature of our shared humanity. Our stories live with us and within us, shaping our lives, asking us to commune & converse with ghosts.

The complex figure of the fool jumps between realms & realities, depending on whether she’s the one doing the fooling or the one being fooled. She might be clever and cunning, beating her foes at their own game. Or, she might find herself feeling tricked and deceived, having fallen for a cruel joke made at her expense. She may be a refined Shakespearean narrator, bridging the gap between the spectator and the world of the play. Or she may be a total amateur – a newbie, a novice, embarking upon an ambitious journey through unfamiliar lands. In this case, she may have some beginner’s luck on her side, along with deep trust in her intuition as she improvises her way to success. Historically, fools entertained monarchs with wit & humor. But even beyond the antics and the jokes, fools occupied a privileged position within the royal court: they had license to poke fun and deliver criticism in ways that others were not permitted, theatrically mirroring the characteristics & qualities (however unfavorable) of high-ranking individuals and forcing moments of self-reflection. We asked our poets to consider all these possible roles of the fool and share their most ‘foolish’ poetry in celebration of April Fool’s Day…

This Valentine’s Day, the Scribes are proud to present a collection of poems that speak to the theme I Do Not Concede The Heart. Our prompt was inspired by the closing line of the inaugural poem “Relinquish” by Dandelion Scribes editor Cari Lynne King. We asked poets near & far to interpret this prompt in their own way, resulting in a selection of poetry that highlights love, loss, hope, strength, growth, grief, belonging, acceptance, and perseverance. Whether centering romantic love, love between family members, or love as it pertains to matters of faith – these poems capture the honesty and authenticity of the poet’s heart, responding to the complexities of love as it takes shape in many forms. Keep reading to enjoy a beautiful selection of Valentine poetry, featuring the following poets: Cari Lynne King, Cheyanne Leonardo, Carson Elliot, Frances Denise, Blair Correll, Stephanie Duncan, Morgan Long, Brandon Thorpe, Jessica Zarrillo, Amber Sparks, Rylan Duncan, Arianna Slaven, Angelia Ross, Amethyst Drake, Olivia Gilreath, Chris Boyatt, and Mantis Osiris.

December 20, 2024– Today the Dandelion Scribes honor our beloved local librarian, Mrs. Holly Daugherty. Mrs. Holly is the Director of Programs for children & adults at McCreary County Public Library, and she truly embodies the holiday spirit each and every day with her passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated work in support of our local community. We have all been blessed to know her, learn from her, and be embraced by her never-ending warmth & encouragement! Here are a few odes to Mrs. Holly, as we declare this day in December a new national Holly-Day! Thank you, Mrs. Holly, for all you do for us! You are our hero, and we love you so much! We wouldn’t be here without you. You make us all feel seen and heard and held and loved.

A Halloween special, featuring 19 writers & artists: Olivia Gilreath, Mantis Osiris, Angelia Ross, Paula Dixon, Kait Quinn, Trent Sizemore, Brittany Troxell, Frances Denise, Miriam Calleja, Tyler Heflin, Cathy Socarras Ferrell, Dane Osborne, Brandon Thorpe, Kenneth Barclay, Mark Hargis, Elijah Ayers, Cari Lynne King, Amber Sparks, and Cheyanne Leonardo. Exploring monsters, ghosts, spooky season, and all things Halloween – through poetry, storytelling, illustration, and a musical surprise.