Alisha - Poet | Writer

I will always choose the bear.

Day one of me attempting to convert everyone into a poetry person ✨ today’s reading is: “The Leasons of Adolescence Are Not to be Learned at the Border” by Sophia Thakur. Poems aren’t just pretty words. They are protest, they are memory, they are a truth wrapped up in rhythm. I am hellbent on finding ways to bring the magic of poetry to more people ♥️♥️ #poetrycommunity #spokenwordpoetry #poetryreading #readingispolitical

Oh, hi ☺️ Welcome to my slowed-down, literary corner of the internet. This is a place for deep feelers and careful thinkers who are craving something a little bit…different. Anyone looking for depth over a quick skim, while we ask the perceived urgency of the internet to take a breather. Do some line breaks hit a tender place in your heart? Same. This is a hot-take free zone, a do-not-pass-go if you’re just out here performing personhood online. If you’ve been looking for a bookish space to write, to digest, to linger...well, hey! This might just be the place. Settle in, friend, exactly as you are. I’m delighted you’re here.

The value of reading written work aloud Inaugural diVERSES Poetry Book Fair #ArtsAndOffers #diVERSES #poetry #columbus #theStanza

My first NAPOWRIMO / Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month recap ✨ April was everything Poetry. I gathered, I spoke, I performed, I listened, I dissolved into goo and refound my human form, I laughed, I wrote, I edited, I submitted, I read, I lived, I inhaled/exhaled poetry. I left April exhausted and inspired, and with 17 new poems (one of which got picked up for publication!) in my pocket. Creativity was my companion in a way I’ve never appreciated more. April also happens to be Autism Awareness/acceptance month, and being an autistic girl-about-town during this time meant I had my fair share of meltdowns and shutdowns. I share openly about my diagnosis because many don’t. I want to illuminate what life as a creative, Level 1 Autistic person can look like (my personal experience only). I’ve had my official diagnosis for just over a year, and it’s been a learning curve. Entering new spaces, changing routines, and high levels of socialization (especially with new people) takes a lot out of me. My friends sometimes didn’t hear from me for days at a time. I was lost in the sauce of the month, so it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I also met so many new, wonderful people because I stretched past my comfort zone. Honoring my capacity AND stretching past it at times have both grown me in different ways. It’s a both/and. All in all I found a lot of new grace and acceptance within myself this month, and even more gratitude for my community. What a beautiful thing it is to be an autistic poet, and to be a poet at all. #autisticpoet #autisticpoetry #napowrimo

I am delighted and honored to announce that my poems “mistake” and “to be a poet in unprecedented times” will be featured in the upcoming anthology “The Museum of Human Hearts” by @thirdmoonpress ! When I first saw this call for submissions, I instantly knew the pieces I wanted to send in. I’m incredibly grateful they’ve found such a soft place to land, and I can’t wait to see the rest of this anthology come together. Keep your eyes peeled for more details! Can’t wait to share more with you all. #publishedpoet #poetrysubmissions #poetryanthology

Columbus poetry peeps, come hang at @birdie.books on May 5th and swap some feedback on poems with us! I’ve been craving a warm, inviting workshop space a little closer to home, and instead of waiting for it to appear, I decided to create it. I’d love for this to be a recurring group that builds trust and community, and can’t wait to welcome those who want to join. Big thanks to Birdie Books for their partnership, as they are providing us a reserved table in their Readmore Cafe. They have stellar drinks and snacks, and a whole bookstore for you to browse! Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today at the eventbrite in my bio.

How to dress like a poet: Reassure body that she is good, all her zigs and zags, all those frecklestars and life constellations. Choose clothes that light your soul ablaze, let joy singe your skin, let color drip from your glee-parched lips. No more patterns you can “never pull off”, yes you can, you can, you can, because you may be a poet, but dammit you are the poem too, so dress like that instead. <3 Alisha Skeel #dresslikeapoet #thriftingpoetry #poetrycommunity

In your dreams, chat bot. Thank you @candacekronenpoetry for this amazing prompt and form, it was such a treat to write after it. #antiaipoetry #poetsofinsta #poetrycommunity

Come celebrate National Poetry Month with me! The next edition of Poetry snack club is live ♥️ We’ll be meeting April 18th at Sharon Woods from 10-11am to close-read the poem “Flower Moon” by Franny Choi. I’ll bring the picnic setup, a few light snacks, and a print out of the poem to discuss. You are welcome to bring your seat of choice and a snack to share (if you wish)! Mostly I ask that you bring an unpretentious spirit and a curious mind. Link in my bio to RSVP. Hope to see you there! #nationalpoetrymonth #columbuspoet #columbuspoetry

A few micro poems, straight from my notes app to your feed ♥️ #poetry #poetscorner #poetrydaily

No one made it to the first poetry snack club, but that’s ok! Because that means I get to practice close reading a poem with you all 😋 this one is from “side notes from the archivist” by Anastacia-renee. I am still learning about poetry as a whole. Form, literary devices, etc. — there’s a wild amount to dive into. But it’s becoming such a fun skill to expand and flex! I can’t wait to keep learning and sharing with you all. #poetry #readpoetry #readingcritically