Live Encounters Poetry & Writing September 2026
Three poems by Scott Thomas Outlar.
Of Soft Lashings
and the Burden of Baptism
ripples, foam, light
dark water
only the shaman would dare shove
their head (or anyone else’s)
under at this hour
buzzing lamp for six seasons
earning the prowess to sing again
the word was replete
with splinters
some skin the teeth
some cut the heart
some slash the cheek
just enough to evoke response
now it comes with feathers
laced in the prospect of gold
It Is Akin to a Bleeding Sieve,
Let Us Be Honest
Fashion arrangements
bend into absolute
oblivion
take it from the top
blowing the lid
kissing smoke, eyes enlarged
they say to write about
what you know
so it’s all wounded ego
and taste of chemical afterburn
and how to bring on a buzz
in a way that builds exponentially
toward a powerful crescendo
funny bone, hurt pride
bruised lips, aching innuendo
the swollen agenda
heatseeking, swamp in sight
crash course, lessons not subtle
served with wicked coils
serpent fangs, I always suspected
it was one moment bleeding
into the next with grace
even when the shift feels
pulsed beyond core beliefs
Of Tattooed Angels
and Alien Ascendence
I sit by the fountain
waiting on midnight
a spider webbing to my left
from bench to crape myrtle
there was something about
the season
pulled the energetic prism
into contortions
…
and halos land by forecast
just as predicted
in dreams and visions
they seek revenge
a death cu(l)t
by tooth and nail
they want a true blood
eager for the womb’s release
a uterine moon vibe
hold
to your breath
the space is warm
a glowing orb
released
to the stars
you came by chance
to render all
these scars
© Scott Thomas Outlar
Scott Thomas Outlar originally hails from just outside Atlanta, Georgia. He now resides and writes in Frederick, Maryland. His work has been nominated multiple times for both the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. He guest-edited the Hope Anthology of Poetry from CultureCult Press as well as the 2019-2023 Western Voices editions of Setu Mag. Selections of his poetry have been translated and published in 15 languages.