From my poem “Secondly Finally” in my book The Only Worlds We Know. Grab a copy, 50% off all weekend in celebration of its first anniversary! Just head to the link in my bio! . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7S33PFYWS/?igshid=1ulg4epl731j3
Hey y’all! All weekend in celebration of “The Only Worlds We Know” first birthday, @buttonpoetry is selling all copies at 50% off through the weekend! That’s paperback, e-book, audiobook! Plus, if you like, I’ll be signing books and personalizing some as well. Just head to Buttonpoetry.com. Link in bio! . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6j20GF4fy/?igshid=152a5e2yax08c
From my poem “Just Yesterday” in my book The Only Worlds We Know. 50% all weekend! Just head to the link in my bio and grab a copy! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4nYHIF9Yk/?igshid=1mloznp9704wo
Two hours until show time! I can’t wait to read y’all ALL, literally, ALL the poems. This one is an excerpt from my poem “The Pill” in my book The Only Worlds We Know. See you 7pm CST/8pm Eastern. I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2Hci9pQ5P/?igshid=1jrfsx505um56
An excerpt from my poem “Rain” in my book The Only Worlds We Know. Join me for lots of sad poems and one happy poem tomorrow at 7pm CST/8pm Eastern. I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live. Link in bio! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDyy9vclxKq/?igshid=15b3s492embtu
Join me! 48 hours from now we’ll have some good poetic fun and celebration! My little book turns one! Grab some snacks, stream YouTube to the TV and let’s have some fun! I’ll read ALL my poems, answer questions, sign books, tell jokes and introduce you to my dog ! see you live on the @buttonpoetry YouTube channel on Thursday! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxJwQnlVtN/?igshid=1t05popd03v4h
Hey y’all! Two more days until I’ll be celebrating my book’s first birthday! I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live. 7pm CST/8pm EDT. This line is from one of my favorite poems to read “Leaving”. I can’t wait to read it for y’all on Thursday! Check out my book “The Only Worlds We Know”, link in bio! Also…there just might be a big sale this week and some signed and personalized copies, stay tuned ☺️ . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwOndpl9aM/?igshid=xjzoqbn2aelz
In just three more days my little books has its first birthday! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since my first book came out. Last year feels like an entirely different life, in many ways it was, an entirely different world entirely. Join me Thursday and let’s celebrate my books first birthday! I’ll be reading the whole damn thing! Grab some snacks, stream YouTube to the TV and let’s have some fun! I’ll answer questions, sign books, and introduce you to my dog !Mark your calendars and see you live on the @buttonpoetry YouTube channel!! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDuZWMBFB6S/?igshid=zje5nk9jk1nz
Hey y’all! This Thursday 8/13 I’ll be celebrating my books first birthday! I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live. 7pm CST/8pm EDT. If you like my work, or my voice, or maybe even both, tune in! This line is from my poem “Out There” which I can’t wait to read for y’all this Thursday! Check out my book “The Only Worlds We Know”, link in bio! Also…there just might be a big sale this week and some signed and personalized copies, stay tuned ☺️ . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtnmHLled7/?igshid=19xttlrrg3nxz
Hey y’all! Thursday 8/13 I’ll be celebrating my books first birthday! I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live. 7pm CST/8pm EST. If you like my work, or my voice, or maybe even both, tune in! This line is from my poem “Leaving” which I’ll definitely be reading (maybe twice if I fuck it up real bad the first time). Check out my book “The Only Worlds We Know”, link in bio! Also…there just be a big sale next week and some signed copies, stay tuned ☺️ . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDrJPPfH0eh/?igshid=nt38cr7rudlq
Hey y’all! Next Thursday! 7pm CST I’ll be reading my book from front to back, cover to cover, on @buttonpoetry YouTube channel live. If you like my work, or my voice, or maybe even both, tune in! This line is from my poem “Law of Halves as Applied to the Blade” in my book “The Only Worlds We Know”, celebrating its first birthday this Thursday! link in bio! . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDoi-aXndiz/?igshid=1oikutseuhsyf
Taking much time for stillness and healing and reflection this week as I settle in the beginnings of this new chapter. This line is from my poem “The Middle Place”, If you like this line, check out more in my book The Only Worlds We Know, link in bio. .
When I need hope I always find it in nature, it’s resilience and wonder. Whiteness and capitalism makes us believe we are at odds with the natural world and not a part of it, that we must subdue it and not live in harmony. Our survival is tied to the survival of this world, down to the simplest, most resilient blade of grass. This line is from my poem Mikkels Plass in my my book The Only Worlds We Know, link in bio. . . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #sober #sobriety #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife #nature #naturelovers #norway #norge https://www.instagram.com/p/CCl7Yyqnc9P/?igshid=usuptkjesps4
It’s interesting for me to look at some of these excerpts from my poems and recontextualize the lines in our current moment—this is from my poem “Along the Spent Horizon”, a poem specifically about personal grief, but it is of course much more than that and when I isolate my own lines I am easily reminded of this. There are so many ends and beginnings, and every moment of history brings us to our present moment. Thinking about the new world we must make together, what we must leave behind, what we must take with us, what articulation of our pasts we require to give language to our present and future lives. There is no easy way… no, and that’s why we must do this work of documentation and articulation and interpretation, to hold the many truths for our many selves. I’m rambling now, but if we are to make a new beginning we must contend with our endings and know how and why we got there, here, by the roads we did. A new world is possible and it is owed. If you like this line, check out more in my book The Only Worlds We Know, link in bio. .
Another excerpt from my poem “Just Yesterday” in my book “The Only Worlds We Know”. I wrote this piece after someone commented on my fb page years ago “I love your work, but it’s so sad-why don’t you write happy poems”. There is much joy in the word and there is much ugliness, In and around us all and we do no favors to shy from it, to speak softly about hard things. To pretend the world is soft so that your path through it feels easier requires that the path for others remains difficult, unjust, dangerous, violent until it becomes unimaginable, and when we can no longer imagine something we cant believe believe it, and all emotion and actions requires belief, requires imagination. That being said I do have a few happy poems in my book! At least one anyway. Lol. link in bio. . . . . . . . . . . #poetry #buttonpoetry #writing #literature #quotes #art #grief #recovery #addiction #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #poems #poet #spokenwordartist #poetryslam #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryofinstagram #slampoetry #michaellee #sober #sobriety #alcoholism #alcohol #literature #literaryquotes #literaturequotes #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqDec3lP-n/?igshid=1ku1wet20agnl