My Bad Poetry

Featured Guest Episodes Episodes

My Bad Poetry has had the joy of inviting amazing guests onto the show. We are grateful for their time, wisdom, humor, vulnerability, and above all their own “bad” poetry!
12
April 14, 2025

Graceful & Awkward (w/ Emily)

The two titles combined kind of of speak for themselves, when describing the topics of these poems. Dave and Aaron are graced with the presence of a friend who (having listened to the show before it was a show) finally took a turn in the hot seat with some of her works from college. Though Emily claims she has never been a poet, these poems... beg to differ?? Hey, at least they're better than 99% of what Aaron wrote in high school. My Bad Poetry Episode 7.12: "Graceful & Awkward (w/ Emily) ...
11
April 7, 2025

It's Surreal to be Hit Gently with a Rose (w/ Ariel Treece)

If ever you need to find bad poetry Ariel suggests long ago posts on the old social media sites. Even if you have deleted Live Journal and Myspace, don't worry you may have left something on the good old notes pages on Facebook. Dave and Aaron discuss with Ariel the deep lyricism of Dashboard Confessional and the cliches of chick flicks. My Bad Poetry Episode 7.11: "It's Surreal to be Hit Gently with a Rose (w/ Ariel Treece) Ariel Treece is an assistant librarian making her a true hero! Su...
10
March 31, 2025

I could write... I want to tell...& Untitled #1 (w/Shaawan Francis Keahna)

Shaawan brings three interesting poems to the podcast. With no real titles to work with, the hosts and guest sort through words from Shaawan's high school journals. Maybe he could have wrote a song... but he most definitely wrote these!!! End Poem from a Real Poet: "There will always be another horror..." by Shaawan Francis Keahna published on pg. 8 of Mayday. Shaawan Francis Keahna is an artist, archivist, filmmaker, writer, composer, and poet living in Baltimore, Maryland. His first chapboo...
9
March 24, 2025

Asterisk, Etiologies, & Octave with Line from a Lullaby (w/Alina Ștefănescu)

Alina Ștefănescu, brings three very different examples of "bad" poetry. One struggling with voice, another structure, and one context. Without Dave, Aaron and Alina work through these varying verses to see how ideas sometimes rightly remain in the drafts folders for a later day or a note to something new. My Bad Poetry Episode 7.9: "Asterisk, Etiologies, & Octave with Line from a Lullaby (w/Alina Ștefănescu)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "Tonight as You Pace the Garden" by Alina Ștefănescu ...
8
March 17, 2025

Broken hearted and numb, Dark Skies, & Where I'm From (w/Risha Nicole)

Dave and Aaron and overjoyed to have another guest on the show! Risha brings poems from Jr. High that have been shared in classrooms, Watt pad, and Tumbler, but now have found there way to My Bad Poetry. How bad could they be? My Bad Poetry Episode 7.8: "Broken hearted and numb, Dark Skies, & Where I'm From (w/Risha Nicole)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "The Spring of Love" by Risha Nicole Risha Nicole is a poet in Kent, Ohio. Her full length poetry collection Without a Sound is available...
5
Feb. 10, 2025

What If? (w/ Amelia McCracken)

While this poem was already shared with the world way back in 2004, now some 21 years later Amelia brings this wonderful LiveJournal entry to Aaron and Dave for our dear listeners to hear. An emo work that asks the deep questions. My Bad Poetry Episode 7.5: "What If? (w/ Amelia McCracken) Since Amelia McCracken has left her emo poetry writing days in the past, she has moved onto entrepreneur and mentor. You can follow her work onLinkedIn or learn more about her work atMent Services. End...
23
Dec. 16, 2024

Perched Rock, Flask of Salt (w/ Clem Flowers)

Clem kicks off the show with a poem that is nearly the opposite of a "cake poem." No missing title there. With the other two, Aaron and Dave may find themselves with more familiar styles yet still end up lost in the pregnant stars. Clem then pulls what may be a My Bad Poetry first, having brought an end poem written specifically for the show. My Bad Poetry Episode: 6.23 "Perched Rock, Flask of Salt (w/Clem Flowers) End Poem from a Real Poet: "If you think I'm stupid now//you should see me ...
22
Dec. 2, 2024

Thursday, Toil and Trouble (w/ Lori D'Angelo)

Lori joins the show to bring several poems about disappointing days. Running themes are dead end jobs, let downs, and meh moments shine through in these rough poems from her past. Aaron and Dave commiserate with the sentiments but still, the poems... are worthy of this show. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.22 "Thursday, Toil and Trouble (w/ Lori D'Angelo)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "Barriers" by Lori D'Angelo Lori D'Angelo a grant recipient, flash fiction, and poetry author whose works have ap...
20
Nov. 18, 2024

JEANS, Rain and umbrella, at my wedding (w/ Madeleine Corley)

Maddie makes a triumphant return to the show with three phenomenally different “bad” poems from a one and a half year span when she was graduating college. Aaron forgets about basic sentence structure making his critiques, questions, and interpretations of these poems, less than stellar. Luckily, Maddie gave a Master class on linguistics and Dave could help make up for Aaron’s lack of understanding the English language. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.20: "JEANS, Rain and umbrella, at my wedding (w/ ...
19
Nov. 11, 2024

Dope Prowl (w/ Seth Perry)

Seth Perry brings a rap song from his short time as a rapper in the Vancouver scene of the early 00s. In hearing this⁠ artifact from time⁠, Dave and Aaron find themselves in the presence of the one and only Professor Lungz. Did they know that was Seth's rap name before this interview... no... but were they still thrilled to find themselves under his tutelage...sure! They were more interested in the journey from Lungz to Perry and Seth did not disappoint. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.19: "Dope Prow...
14
Oct. 7, 2024

Unfinished Business, Bittersweet, Death. (w/nat raum)

Dave and Aaron are joined this week by the prolific nat raum! nat brings journal poems from highschool that are broad and vague at times, yet deeply ernest in the cringiest ways. Laugh along with us as nat shares their poems and stories as well as their incredible insights and knowledge (as well as some hot takes on obituaries?). My Bad Poetry Episode 6.14: "Unfinished Business, Bittersweet, Death. (w/nat raum)" nat raum is the founder and editor-in-chief of fifth wheel press , "an indepen...
12
Sept. 23, 2024

Orchids and Roses, Work of Art, ... (w/Megan McDermott)

Megan makes her triumphant return to the podcast with not 1, not 2,... but 4 "bad" poems from journals in the past. Each poem brings a different kind of bad, from the structural to the theological. Dave and Aaron struggle to find a real critique for two of them but the other two make up for it. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.12: "Orchids and Roses, Work of Art, ... (w/Megan McDermott)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "O, Lover of Souls" by Megan McDermott Megan is a writer and Episcopal priest with...
10
Sept. 9, 2024

Windowless Room, Taos Court, & Algebraic Hymn (w/Adam Shaw)

This week co-host's Dave and Aaron find themselves talking to a person working in the Twin Cities, who has never been to the Twin Cities. And if that isn't a riddle enough, they have to try and figure out his old poems! Adam Shaw brings poems from an old duct taped journal and when these three nerds aren't discussing LOTR's sword names, they are trying to make heads or tales of some moody rhymes that could use some work. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.10: "Windowless Room, Taos Court, & Algebraic Hy...
9
Sept. 2, 2024

The Seaman's Stray, Minotaur, & Almost (w/Jenny Qi)

After nearly two years of DMs to work out a time, the co-hosts of My Bad Poetry get to chat with Jenny Qi... and it was worth the wait! Jenny brings three poems from three distinct times in her life so one can see the progress of a writer from middle school to after college, and all the pit falls along the way. From personified cats to personified herons with a bull beast in between, this episode is a creature feature for the ages. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.9 "The Seaman's Stray, Minotaur, & Al...
8
Aug. 26, 2024

SONNET DCLXVII & Obfuscatory Exegesis (w Jay Parr)

Jay Parr brings their tinkerings with poetry to the show, demonstrating the fun of self referencial poems. While none of them would be considered high art... they really aren't trying to be. A string of bad haiku's bring it home in this exploration in a proser playing with poetry. Also, Dave may have found his favorite poet... CW: The end poem deals with suicidal ideation. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.8: "SONNET DCLXVII & Obfuscatory Exegesis (w Jay Parr)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "Flat Spots...
7
Aug. 19, 2024

HftRR & Dimestore Shaman (w/ Lasara Firefox Allen)

Lasara Firefox Allen brings work from their April 30 in 30 project (30 poems written in 30 days). These hastily written poems may blow most of the stuff Aaron and Dave brings to the show out of the water in quality, nevertheless the saccharin and specificity within prevents the poems from their true potential. Aaron and Dave learn a lot about the art of writing consistently and looking for one's flow. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.7: "HftRR & Dimestore Shaman (w/ Lasara Firefox Allen)" End Poem ...
6
Aug. 12, 2024

Hello Best Wishes, (w/william erickson)

To say this experience was surreal would be... partially true? william erickson brings some bad poems from an old chapbook manuscript. Three poems confuse and bewilder Dave and Aaron, but Will's closing poem brings it all full circle with a perfect example of what the previous poems were trying to do! My Bad Poetry Episode 6.6: "Hello Best Wishes, (w/william erickson) End Poem from a Real Poet: "Field of Vision" by william erickson william erickson has a book of poem out called "You Don...
4
July 29, 2024

Sunday 11:30 Monday Eternity & Oncology (w/ Kellie Scott-Reed)

Kellie Scott-Reed brings a whole lot of laughter and joy to the show, even when her poems were less than happy. An aversion to ernesty in her old poetry leads to some strange twists and turns of phrases, and Aaron and Dave enjoy every moment of the ride. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.4: "Sunday 11:30 Monday Eternity & Oncology (w/ Kellie Scott-Reed)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "Canidae" by Kellie Scott-Reed Kellie Scott-Reed is the Assistant Editor-In-Chief of Roi Faineant Press and host of t...
2
July 1, 2024

A Love's Remembrance (w/ Michael VanCalbergh)

Michael VanCalbergh returns for maybe our longest episode to date. He brings with him a Sonnet Crown that fails to reach the 7 poem goal intentionally... yet it feels far more like a mercy. Dave was out sick for this one and in missing he may have avoided one of the worst poems in the shows history! Aaron and Michael talked for over 2 hours and we did our best to stay on topic for most of it. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.2: "A Love's Remembrance (w/ Michael VanCalbergh) End Poem from a Real Poet: "Th...
1
June 24, 2024

Popular, Snows of Tears, & Autumn's Vow (w/Phil Goldstein)

Aaron and Dave return for Season Six of My Bad Poetry without the Wolf Journal to guide their discussions. So they bring in more friends! Phil Goldstein brings his Jr. High and High School works salvaged from an old computer. We talk about HAD Skulls, favorite seasons, sneaky rhymes, and old loves we would never ever forget (expect when their name now escapes us). #WeBelievein9thGradePhil. My Bad Poetry Episode 6.1 "Popular, Snows of Tears, & Autumn's Vow (w/Phil Goldstein)" End Poem from ...
21
April 29, 2024

One Calculus & The Only Island (w/ Richard Blanco)

Presidential Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco comes on the show to bring his less than stellar work. From "Emily’s Recurring Dream of a Failed Bridge" which was too long for the show title that is full of "—" in honor of Emily Dickinson...let's just say the concept failed to connect. Blanco brings along two other rough poems that eventually got reworked to great success. My Bad Poetry Episode 5.21: "One Calculus & The Only Island (w/ Richard Blanco)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "Looking for The Gu...
18
April 8, 2024

Doppelganger, Scenes..., & Hibernation (w/ Frances Klein)

Frances Klein makes such an amazing return to the show that she may have out hosted the hosts. With three "new" bad poems from her past, Frances brings us through the stylings of a dictionary and thesaurus, with an uninhibited poem, an ekphrastic/found poem, and an add copy?? Oh Dave and Aaron were there too. (Also includes Tallulah's first guest bark.) My Bad Poetry 5.18 "Doppelganger, Scenes..., & Hibernation (w/ Frances Klein)" End Poem from a Real Poet: "The Angel Gabriel Says It's Not a B...
17
March 25, 2024

Both Things are True...North of the Eiffel Tower (w/ Kelli Russell Agadon)

Kelli Russell Agadon makes her triumphant return to the show after nearly two years since she became the first true guest of the show. This time around, Kelli brings three poems from three different eras in her writing career. She talks with Dave and Aaron about "dressing up" poems, choosing strong titles, and flipping everything on its head, when editing one's work. My Bad Poetry 5.17 "Both Things are True...North of the Eiffel Tower (w/ Kelli Russell Agadon) End Poem from a Real Poet: "Hum o...
16
March 18, 2024

World, Ambiance..., & Making Love... (w/Darrell Parry)

The Stick Figure Poet himself joins Dave and Aaron to share an eclectic collection of bad poetry from the 90s. From cocky self assurance, to shy kid in the corner, to kissing death, the twists and turns will keep the co-hosts on their toes. My Bad Poetry Episode 5.16 "World, Ambiance..., & Making Love... (w/Darrell Parry)" End Poet from a Real Poet: "Exorcism" by Darrell Parry, found in Twists: Gathered Ephemera. Darrell Parry is a writer, editor, and self proclaimed slacker. Darrell also hel...