Imperfect Speech

Thank you, Petty Labelle, for the inspiration. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you The stranger, Nabanita, Bob Johnson, Sarah-SMR, Timothy E. Lambert, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.CHAT TRANSCRIPTSarah-SMR joinedMack DevlinHey, SarahA Little Bit TallerLooking forward to hearing this!Sarah-SMRHey, MackAnabellDreamsAllDayjoinedMack DevlinEverything sound good?Sarah-SMRYesThe strangerjoinedThe strangerjoinedA Little Bit TallerGreatElliott Marso joinedThe Quantum QuillHi everyone 👋The Quantum QuillAaliya, wonderful to hear you speak!Pelle Martens joinedA Little Bit TallerHappy to hear your voice, AaliyaSarah-SMRWow. That is very impressiveThe Quantum QuillHeyo Devlin 👋Tina CrossgrovejoinedDavid MorrisHello helloPelle MartensBeautiful Aaliya 🤍Mack DevlinHi, everyoneMack DevlinWill be in and out, gotta capture the chatTimothy E. Lambert joinedA Little Bit TallerGreat job, MackTimothy E. LambertHey hey!Hassan joinedAlbert Kivak joinedBob JohnsonPlease say hello to Aaliya from me i love Austin as well. Bob your friend 8000 mikes away xxWonder-Fool joinedThe Quantum QuillOoh, favorite disney movie?Timothy E. LambertAaliya, if I may asks, where are you from?The Quantum Quillbeautiful personal historyMack DevlinTimothy, she is from OmanTimothy E. LambertOh, that checks. I figured she was from the Middle East, somewhere.A Little Bit TallerShe is so full of light!Timothy E. LambertAmen to that.The Quantum QuillI always really enjoy her messages and find myself resonating and restacking themHeartScribe joinedA Little Bit TallerSo kind and humbleThe Quantum QuillHi Victoria 👋HeartScribeHi there 💞A Little Bit TallerHi VictoriaHeartScribeNice to see everyone!A Little Bit TallerWe are happy you’re hereThe Quantum QuillIts so much more personable than a platform like IG isKrissy joinedThe strangerHello everyone and thank you Mack and Krissy for hostingThe Quantum QuillAaliya speaks much like she writes, which is so neat to hear.The strangerPlessure to lsten to you, AaliyaThe strangerou speak poeticallyThe strangeryou*HeartScribeLove getting to hear Aaliya’s voice. She does sounds like her writing, Ryan 💞Ilias Shepherd Marrow joinedSarah-SMRIt sounds beautifulIlias Shepherd MarrowThanks for the heads up Sarahimi joinedTimothy E. LambertWow!Sarah-SMRNo problem IliasHeartScribeHi Sarah, Ilias, imi, Timothy, stranger 💞Ilias Shepherd MarrowAloha ImiThe strangerHi HeartScribeIlias Shepherd MarrowAloha HeartSarah-SMRHey HeartHeartScribe💞Ilias Shepherd MarrowAloha StrangerTimothy E. LambertMashallah.The strangerAlohaa IliaasA Little Bit TallerThis community is such a special placeIlias Shepherd MarrowTimothy!!!! Aloha my broHeartScribeI agree, Matt.NabanitajoinedIlias Shepherd MarrowAloha Lil’BitA Little Bit TallerHi NabanitaHeartScribeHi Nabanita 💞Mack DevlinSalalah OasisNabanitaHi MattJojoinedHeartScribeHi MackHeartScribeHi Jo 💞NabanitaI want that coffee!Sarah-SMRI wanna live there.A Little Bit TallerHi IliasPam WadejoinedThe Quantum QuillIt looks really beautiful and peaceful.A Little Bit TallerYou are a wonderful representative of OmanThe Quantum QuillWowHeartScribeLooks good 💖💖💖Ilias Shepherd MarrowCan we spell that in the chatIlias Shepherd MarrowOhhhh Mack!Timothy E. LambertOh I love that!\KrissykahwahThe strangerKunafeHeartScribenow I’m hungryIlias Shepherd MarrowI love baklava… Bill is from Jordan and he cooks a ton of Middle East food for me. Following the Ancient Diet has helped my health dramaticallyNabanitaHi MackThe Quantum QuillI still want to know favorite disney movie growing up if we get to questions from chat :)Ilias Shepherd MarrowIt’s wonderful ta hear yer voice to MackSarah-SMRDo they have traditional music they stick with Aaliya ?A Little Bit TallerI see that.HeartScribeawwww...Cinderella 💖💖💖A Little Bit TallerYou willThe Quantum QuillI loved the mice in the movieThe Quantum Quilland yes its a lovely storyA Little Bit TallerHeart of goldThe Quantum QuillAll great films ✨A Little Bit TallerDo you have a favorite song?Sarah-SMROops. I just realized I typed it wrong. It’s fine cause she ended up answering it anywayIlias Shepherd MarrowAre you familiar with Rugs? 🥰A Little Bit TallerPerfectHeartScribeOh, me too --- classic Louis ArmstrongIlias Shepherd MarrowI just cleaned a 100 year old Omar KhanJooh everyone, look up the tv show ‘the Detectoriststs’Donna Porretto GeislerjoinedNabanitaLove that song!A Little Bit TallerFavorite movie?HeartScribeHi DonnaDonna Porretto GeislerHi!JodetectorisistsJodetectoristsHeartScribe💞 Oh cool.NabanitaThanks Mack!The Quantum QuillGreat songHeartScribeThanks, Mack.A Little Bit TallerNiceSarah-SMRWonderfulHeartScribeI just needed to turn up my volumeDonna Porretto GeislerQuestion for Aaliya -- I sometimes write to you in Spanish, do you also speak Spanish?A Little Bit TallerThis could be Aaliya’s theme songA Little Bit TallerYou’d be greatIlias Shepherd MarrowWell it was Bedouin flat weave “Kilim” rug from OmanHeartScribeI’d love you to start a podcast, Aaliya 💞A Little Bit TallerWho would you interview?Ilias Shepherd MarrowAwww You’re such a sweetheart!DerekHey all👐HeartScribelove that, AaliyaHeartScribehi Derek!A Little Bit TallerThank youThe Quantum Quill100%Sarah-SMRThat is an amazing ideaDerekSameHeartScribeYessss. Stories give us hope.A Little Bit TallerWe are here for youHeartScribeYes.NabanitaMack is a gentleman.HeartScribeyes he isSarah-SMRSure is. 🤜🔥🔥🔥Ilias Shepherd Marrow100% Mack we appreciate you sir! You’re connecting so many people together! Our family has attempted to record Padre’s story’s for my entire life! What you are all doing is beyond Phenomenal!HeartScribeSame, Aaliya.A Little Bit TallerSame with me. AgreedThe Quantum QuillYes many of us sympathize with this 🤍Mack Devlin🤜🔥🔥🔥🔥JoHaving injury and illness - all of you have helped me in healing. Thank youHeartScribeAgree, Ryan.A Little Bit TallerPerfectly saidDonna Porretto GeislerSuch a beautiful soul!A Little Bit TallerYes!HeartScribeLife is hard -- we all need kindness.The Quantum QuillAgree Victoria. And yes I think many of us can feel that safety and peace in connectionHeartScribe💞💞💞NabanitaYou are the most positive soul on this platform.HeartScribeYou exude that love...HeartScribewe all feel itDonna Porretto GeislerIndeed!A Little Bit TallerYou can see that love in your writingA Little Bit TallerIt’s inspirationalHeartScribenow that is trueDerekKeep it realA Little Bit TallerYes!The Quantum Quill❤️‍🔥 100%R.S.T.Life osR.S.T.Life is fairNabanitaThat people who got good grades were good people.A Little Bit TallerLife can be easy (I had a transplant at 11)DerekThat if you tell the truth when you done wrong that consequences will be lessJoI went blink blink. I was never convinced of anythingThe Quantum Quill“Others will only love me if I act the way they want me to” something i believed for many years.The Quantum Quilllol at quicksandSarah-SMRThat others actions define me. I believed that for a long time.DerekQuicksand is real just not as often foundA Little Bit TallerPeople would see me as I saw myself, as differentHeartScribeThat I had to hide my flaws to be accepted...Ilias Shepherd MarrowOooft! Thank goodness my Literature grades did not determine my humanity!!!DerekThat’s why they are hosting...JoI was convinced a wooden spoon hurt my butt when spankedThe Secret Ingredient joinedHeartScribeHi SecretDerekOof that is truthCheryl PlanertjoinedIlias Shepherd MarrowMrs. Ingredient!!!!HeartScribeHi CherylThe Secret IngredientIliasThe Secret IngredientHelloIlias Shepherd Marrow🥰🥰🥰Ilias Shepherd Marrow🤟🤟🤟Donna Porretto GeislerThat my family was “normal.”The Secret IngredientHeart Scribe!!!A Little Bit TallerYet you still are filled with loveHeartScribeHey there 💞Ilias Shepherd MarrowEggs-erroneous @Mack (Ernest goes to camp)The Quantum QuillOoh thats a good oneA Little Bit TallerNormal is OverratedNabanitaDo you think these bad experiences erode trust in others?Donna Porretto GeislerI second that!NeuroDivergent HodgepodgejoinedIlias Shepherd MarrowAll the Freaky People Make the Beauty of the WorldIlias Shepherd Marrow—Michael Franti & SpearheadJoWhat is your favorite smell?HeartScribeYeah.A Little Bit TallerThe light you shine is proof of that. You show love is realNabanitaThat’s a great attitude AliaA Little Bit TallerInspiringIlias Shepherd MarrowI’ve had two divorces as well! Do you see them as life lessons too?HeartScribecertain abuses have definitely caused trust issues in certain areas.NeuroDivergent HodgepodgeCynicism seems like a type of avoidanceSarah-SMRI have learned so much in this whole interview.Ilias Shepherd MarrowWhen body building … Failure demands muscle growth and strength.DerekHow does one know without finding an opposing perspectiveIlias Shepherd MarrowLife in the same as long as we do not attempt to cover up or lie to ourselves regarding failureNabanitaShout out to Chrissie. Asking great questions. Hoping I spelled her name right.NeuroDivergent HodgepodgeLearning things is the best, isn’t it Sarah?A Little Bit TallerIt’s all about attitude and how you live through themIlias Shepherd MarrowWhen we accept Failure… our mind begins to work on the solutionSarah-SMRYes it is NeuroSarah-SMRI think I’ll always remember that NeuroDonna Porretto GeislerYes!HeartScribeDefinitely.NeuroDivergent HodgepodgeAbsolutely, Ilias!DerekReflection and self awareness is crucialNeuroDivergent HodgepodgeYes, DerekRoger ScottjoinedDerekA blessingNeuroDivergent HodgepodgeOk. It’s hot outside. Gotta go back inside where I do not want to bare beat anyone. LolIlias Shepherd MarrowAbsolutely Divine!John Watson - Horror AuthorjoinedIlias Shepherd MarrowJohn!!HeartScribeHi JohnA Little Bit TallerYesHeartScribesameIlias Shepherd MarrowSean says Petrichor is also a scent in some fine winesV.joinedHeartScribeHi V.Ilias Shepherd MarrowAloha VDerekThe birds in the background were lovelyHeartScribeMy heart agrees with that.Ilias Shepherd MarrowWe can do better 🤔 fer sherIlias Shepherd MarrowI didn’t know that till now tooIlias Shepherd MarrowTraffic & sirensThe Secret IngredientLawn mower sDerekJack hammers or leaf blowersIlias Shepherd MarrowYes!!!!! Ya nailed that negative tone and voice intentHeartScribeSame here.A Little Bit TallerDefinitelyJoNoises of people who are in bad faith make the hair on my forearms raise and it hurtsIlias Shepherd MarrowI had to tell an ex their voice sounded like Crystal getting smashed into a porcelain sink! I didn’t like what I felt like around them after their fake cadence diminished.A Little Bit TallerMe too. For you...Donna Porretto GeislerMe too! We have to stand up for each other!A Little Bit TallerReceive help?HeartScribeI can understand that.Ilias Shepherd MarrowHard to recover from Energy VampiresNimila the InfernojoinedJomy forearms are not hurting, thank youHeartScribeHi NimilaA Little Bit TallerThat’s just who you are. AmazingNimila the InfernoHello everyone ❤️Sarah-SMRThat just hit really hard. Very good questionHeartScribebeautiful.A Little Bit Talleryou are thatThe Secret IngredientI fell such tears by Aalyias responseTimothy E. LambertjoinedAt EmHi my name isSarah-SMRMe too. I am crying.HeartScribeHi At Em.At EmHelloA Little Bit TallerGreat job!HeartScribeEnjoyed this so much.The Quantum QuillA wonderful conversation!The Quantum QuillGreat interviewing KrissyHeartScribeYes, thank you Krissy, Mack, and AaliyaThe Secret IngredientGood job all!! KrissySarah-SMRWonderful!! 🫶🏻A Little Bit TallerWonderful by all This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you Sarah-SMR, Derek, Tangled Words, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you Becky Hayward, Elijah Westin, Ilias Shepherd Marrow, Tangled Words, Cailin, and many others for tuning into my live video with Sturg Writes It Down, The Quantum Quill, Fiona Bridges, and Stefan Pasek! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

A Reading of Dolce Et Decorum Est by Mack Devlin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you imi, Brandon Ellrich, The stranger, The Secret Ingredient, Jamie Lee, and many others for tuning into my live video with The Quantum Quill and Fiona Bridges! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Memento Mori and be cool. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you Ilias Shepherd Marrow, Nabanita, theinkspilled, Franky Dyson, The Quantum Quill, and many others for tuning into my live video with Tangled Words, Elijah Westin, Fiona Bridges, and Stefan Pasek! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

What Would St. Patrick's Day Be Without Beef? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you Ginger Cook (GC), Becky Hayward, Original Worlds (Ira Robinson), Ilias Shepherd Marrow, Soso's World, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you NeuroDivergent Hodgepodge, The In Between, Nabanita, Cory, Ms.Yuse, and many others for tuning into my live video with Soso's World, Elijah Westin, Fiona Bridges, and Sick of this S**t Publications! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

What Would St. Patrick's Day Be Without Beef? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

There is a curious phenomenon that happens whenever people gather, particularly when the people in question seem to be enjoying themselves. We see it at birthday parties, office happy hours, church potlucks, internet comment sections, and occasionally in the middle of someone telling what was, until that moment, a perfectly good joke. This phenomenon is called Party Pooper Syndrome. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you PancakeSushi, Bear Sage, Ilias Shepherd Marrow, Fiona Bridges, Kristina Ray, and many others for tuning into my live video with Tangled Words!Cards Against Humanity, you wrong!!I would love for you to subscribe. Everything on Imperfect Speech is free to view. No paywalls, no hassle. Just enjoy the show.Check out these writers: Travis Hupp, PancakeSushi, Tangled Words, Sam’s Spaghetti, Bear Sage, Dorie Snow/雪多丽, Carlos M., Fiona Bridges, Stefan Pasek, Becky Hayward, A Writer’s Voice, Matthew Holvey, Mathew C. Bryant, The In Between This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

For our children ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Vocals by Kejuan Miller. Music and lyrics by Mack Devlin. Cleaned and produced in L2M and Suno. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Lyrics and Music by Mack Devlin, Vocals by Lee Short and Deborah Epping. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Do I Dare to Eat a Peach? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Do I Dare to Eat a Peach? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Vocal by Deborah Epping. Music and lyrics by Mack Devlin.The story of the Woman at the Well appears in the Gospel of Gospel of John, chapter 4. It begins with a quiet but radical moment: Jesus Christ stops at a well in Samaria and speaks to a woman who has come alone to draw water. In that time and place, the conversation itself breaks several social rules. Jews avoided Samaritans, men did not publicly speak with unrelated women, and her personal history had already placed her on the margins of her own community.Yet Jesus does not avoid her. He asks her for water, then speaks to her about what he calls “living water” and a well that does not run dry. In the conversation he reveals that he knows the details of her life, including the painful and complicated parts she carries with her. Instead of condemning her, he meets her with honesty and dignity, treating her as someone capable of understanding truth and bearing witness to it.The encounter transforms her. She leaves her water jar behind, returns to her town, and tells the people what she has experienced. Through her testimony, many come to listen for themselves. The story stands as one of the clearest examples in the Gospels of Jesus crossing social boundaries, restoring dignity to someone who had been dismissed, and showing that grace is not reserved for the respectable. His Words reach anyone who feels alone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Even clones have standards. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Even clones have standards. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

My friend Ilias Shepherd Marrow has been in the hospital. We all know that he is an amazing, positive, supportive human being. I cannot say enough good about him. He made me feel at home on Substack. It was the first time since joining that I had a true sense of community. The words are his, through and through, all I did was give them some music. But they were already a song. Ilias, this is for you, and for the way you’ve made me and many other smile. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Download Available on Desktop This book about anti-gravity, I can’t put it down.Rebellious peppercorns live underground.Wanna have a space party? I’ll planet.Sardine factories are quiet ’cause they can it.I only remember twenty-five letters, don’t know why.Mama will make it to the hair salon, do or dye.Scarecrows are experts, outstanding in their fields.Corn gets traffic tickets for refusing to yield.These are just jokes, yeah I know they’re bad,But they came straight from somebody’s dad.He’s not hilarious; he’s just trying to be fun,Even if all he did was memorize a book of puns.The restaurant on the moon has no atmosphere.To make a strawberry shake, give it something to fear.I don’t love my facial hair, but it’s growing on me.That sushi is suspect, yeah it’s a little fishy.I have a joke about paper but it’s tear-able.The tiger exhibit down at the zoo is unbearable.Beavers give a dam, and rams like big butts.Skeletons are wimps because they have no guts.These are just jokes, yeah I know they’re bad,But they came straight from somebody’s dad.He’s not hilarious; he’s just trying to be fun,Even if all he did was memorize a book of puns.Don’t touch that fromage, it’s nacho cheese.I mist when I tried to catch my sneeze.I thought it was something, but it’s snot.I wanted to be a sniper, but never gave it a shot.I play piano by ear and sometimes use my hands.Bit of a stretch, but I have a pun about rubber bands.My bicycle can’t stand alone, it’s too tired.The marshmallow went and got himself fired.These are just jokes, yeah I know they’re bad,But they came straight from somebody’s dad.He’s not hilarious; he’s just trying to be fun,Even if all he did was memorize a book of puns.Math books are sad, they’re full of problems.Take them to a priest so he can ab-solve them.I used to make shoddy products at a satisfactory.If you log on to the internet, do you turn into a tree?Golf pants come in pairs in case you get a hole in one.And coffee went to the cops because it got mugged.I love my seafood diet ’cause I see food and I eat it.The inventor of Altoids, he made himself quite a mint.These are just jokes, yeah I know they’re bad,But they came straight from somebody’s dad.He’s not hilarious; he’s just trying to be fun,Even if all he did was memorize a book of puns.Remember this if the world looks mighty mean,These jokes so simple, so sweet, and so lean.Tuna in bow ties are quite sofishticated, you see.Pterodactyls soundlessly relieve themselves—silent P.Eggs don’t joke, for fear of cracking themselves up.And a pony with a sore throat is a little hoarse, my son. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

In the gloaming time of lavender and orange, in the garden center of Ultramart, hidden inside a bucket, the gnomes waited and plotted. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Stefan Pasek started a positivity chain that is circling round and round, an ouroboros of kindness. I’m trying to think of all the ways we as artists can keep it positive. I originally posted this on YouTube and wasn’t going to put it here. If this song finds your ears, I hope it makes you smile. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Imperfect Speech is a Free Publication. Please consider subscribing or sharing by visiting our website imperfectspeech.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Thank you Andrea 🌄, Matthew Holvey, Sam’s Spaghetti, Tangled Words, and Stefan Pasek for tuning into my live video! Part Two of the reading coming soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This goes out to everyone who stepped up and helped me through something very scary. This was my first experience with DKA, and writing music is part of my recovery. I know a hospital is the worst place to loop tracks, but here we are. I’m home and chilling right now. Still waiting for the insulin to be in stock, but I’m hopeful. You all gave me that hope. Special shout out to my very good friends, Mike, the one and only PancakeSushi, and my very good friend Tangled Words. He called to check up on me but paramedics had just arrived. She talked to me for almost the full seven hours. Love and gratitude to the Poetry Posse, as well. You know who you are and tagging is being a monster right now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Missing: virginity.Last seen, high school parking lot.Stolen, no. Misappropriated might be better. No, stolen. Heisted. Internal and external forces, ego and social pressure.Can’t be a virgin.Just can’t, unless you want to lie. God forbid they find out, call you on it. There is no Canadian girlfriend. There was no one time at camp.Can’t be a virgin.Just can’t, unless you want social oblivion. Your virility compromised, questioned. Your sexuality, a topic of derisive whispers, and giggling behind cupped hands.“Wait for it. Wait for someone special.”“Shut up, heart. Shut up, soul. This isn’t about you. It’s about them.”“But you only get one. You only get one.”“There’s only one first time for everything. Why is this special? Why is this above compromise?”Sweaty, skin sticking to fake leather. A first moment lost in a thrust. Ten years down, what was her name again? Worth it.Worth it? Where’s the profit? Where’s the haul? Where’s the certainty that comes with wealth? Is your ego any richer? Are you higher in the social stratum?No. Ill-gotten gains are quickly squandered when you’re an addict.Drug of choice, a false notion of acceptance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This was just a test of the Dr. Strangelove Early Warning System. Thank you Becky Hayward, Ilias Shepherd Marrow, Tim Chessher, Assemblywoman Debra Mazzarelli, Nabanita, and many others for tuning into my live video! Click the button below to check out Dorie Snow/雪多丽’s book recommendation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Sleep and I have been enemies longer than I can remember. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This piece was inspired by a comment from Night Cracks and various conversations with Tangled Words, PancakeSushi, Dorie Snow/雪多丽, Bear Sage, Carlos M., Kristina Ray, and the rest of the Poetry Posse. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

The final flames of freedom’s fire Flicker in the dark ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

I’d lived down the street from Bill Turner for five years before I knew what he did. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

This is an excerpt from the pilot of my comedy-drama teleplay A Confederacy of Rivals. The title refers to the Articles of Confederation, not the slave-defending Confederacy of the American South. Download the theme song, “So Long Now,” for desktop browsers: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

The cold is a bully. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

I walk with thunder folded in my ear,Though the streets lie still as pilgrims. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com

Their heavy boots leave dire marks Upon the cracked, crumbling earth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectspeech.substack.com