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Steven Karl

@stevenrkarl.bsky.social
50 followers 48 following 35 posts

Writer. Author of the poetry collections: I HRT the Cult Years (VA Press, 2024), Sister (Noemi Press, 2015) and Dork Swagger.

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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
The town with decent cup of coffee the town with lake where bored kids maybe swam Maybe did lots of things their parents shouldn’t know owl shadows upon an evening lake — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 30 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/30/s...
bloofbooks.com
Scream Crossed Meadow
First town then town again then hotel key what comes next First town then town again then pie & coffee also Bob also terror Next town remains first town once quiet town a missing person townA m…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Everything changes Deeper woods To find wild More secrets Parties In abandoned train cars Drugs Exotic birds Extroverts Bad tattoos — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social more #TwinPeaks on day 25 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/29/i... bloofbooks.com/2026/04/29/i...
bloofbooks.com
It’s Okay James, Laura Said Remembering Only Makes It Worse
Everything changes         Deeper woods    To find wild        More secrets Parties      In abandoned train cars           Drugs          Exotic birds        Extroverts      Bad tattoos You left me…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
You held My hand Tears and snot On your shoulder Remember how We hated adults You and me against What was it We were against Growing up Looking stupid — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 28 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/28/i...
bloofbooks.com
It’s Okay James, Laura Said Remembering Only Makes It Worse
Spin swerve       Gone summer        Dragging bikes  uphill       Downhill&nb…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
It already felt distant An imagined life About to begin The turtles sunning on the rocks Season after season of blooming lilies She’d seen it before — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 24 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/24/e...
bloofbooks.com
Eleanor, We Have Put These Difficulties Behind Us
In twenty years His hair would be thinning   In thirty years Skin starting to sag on the bone    He’d still be Shelving books    Dreaming aloud     Half in this world   half in his head    She didn…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
There were zinnias lining the garden entrance Common flowers The eye forgets To track A path that led to so many shades of dahlias The bench Was it on the bench? They sat on the bench — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 23 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/23/e...
bloofbooks.com
Eleanor, We Have Put These Difficulties Behind Us
There were zinnias lining the garden entrance    Common flowers   The eye forgets To track   A path that led to so many shades      of dahlias The bench   Was it on the bench?     They sat on the b…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Belle & Sebastian played Portland Some idiots in the crowd Kept requesting “I Fought in a War” Song politely declined I went alone Not sure where Joseph was Probably working — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 22 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/22/e...
bloofbooks.com
Eleanor, We Have Put These Difficulties Behind Us
9/11 Belle & Sebastian     played Portland   Some idiots     in the crowd    Kept requesting  “I Fought in a War”    Song   politely declined    I went alone    Not sure where Joseph was     Pr…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
I’d lag behind So I could go to Jackpot Records or Ozone Records Then they moved Then closed Then reopened It wasn’t the same Was it? — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 21 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/21/e...
bloofbooks.com
Eleanor, We Have Put These Difficulties Behind Us
Some people came into the bookstore   Bought books  or didn’t buy books  Left piles   of them on    the counter   &nb…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
At movies how Frank makes her laugh. How in the dark he always smells like salt and seawater. Frank says it’s a boat and it’s big. It’s morning. — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social #poem on day 20 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/20/j...
bloofbooks.com
James Joyce
C’mon Evie! Let’s see the world together! Let’s get married! Evie sees no ring. Evie’s father wouldn’t approve. A disgruntled drunk with a violent streak. Evie’s brothers left her to do the caretak…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Once at a party I bragged about making out with a girl from Iceland. I said she was friends with Bjork. No one cared. — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 19 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/19/b...
bloofbooks.com
Boys Watching Boys: Idiot Moves
Once at a party I bragged about making out with a girl from Iceland. I said she was friends with Bjork. No one cared. Once at a party Moby kept going around asking everyone if they knew who he was.…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
and when you put the phone to your ear it is voiceless just ringing unless you can consider the ringing its own kinda voice there are doors and windows day-glo colors misplaced nights murder in the air — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social 17 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/17/n...
bloofbooks.com
Noir Interlude
There are a lot of ways      you can order numbers     There are a lot of ways         numbers get disordered:      clumsy fingers; thick head      But there is….       so much ringing             …
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Fits of dawn Pond frogs still at it Moonflowers along a rotting fence Dew soaking toes of your sneakers — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social #poem for day 15 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/15/e...
bloofbooks.com
Eleanor, We Have Put These Difficulties Behind Us
Head fog   Sometimes I get it    How about you?    So much coffee     Coffee spilling from my eyes Can’t remember   What it feels like     to feel &nbsp…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
What were we busy with poeming acting auditions teaching Oh those things Hunting money Holding onto some kind of life — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social poem for day 10 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/10/e...
bloofbooks.com
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Have you ever seen fire fall from the sky? Do as I say. It’s really that simple. But she disobeyed. — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social on day 2 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/02/m...
bloofbooks.com
My Love, My Friend, I Will Not Abandon You
“It was her home, and it was on fire.” Kate Greenstreet [Salt] I don’t think she was ever given a name. Just presented as a possessive, so-and-so’s wife. They said she should serve as a warning. Th…
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Reposted by Steven Karl
Bloof Books @bloofbooks.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
wine. I was good looking and she was flashy and we were popular. But then the boss said trouble was coming. — @stevenrkarl.bsky.social poem for day 3 bloofbooks.com/2026/04/03/d...
bloofbooks.com
Don’t Look Back in Anger
It’s not like I knew what her favorite color was or what she dreamt about. We were matched. We married. We had similar taste in wine. I was good looking and she was flashy and we were popular. But …
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Thrilled to have a new poem up @sixthfinch.bsky.social
Prose Poem that is kinda funny/kinda sad.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Still doing a poem-a-day over @bloofbooks.bsky.social This one is for Gina Myers @culdesacofblood.bsky.social #napowrimo #poetry #ginamyers #work
Poem
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Thursday & Friday’s poem drafts over @bloofbooks.bsky.social #poetry #napowrimo
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Attempting to do that poem thing over @bloofbooks.bsky.social Have a look-see. Pretty sure I stole that title “Rain King” from a Sonic Youth song.
Draft of a poem called Rain KingDraft of a poem Flyer for Bloof Books & napowrimo
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Loving the new Dean Wareham record. #deanwareham #deanandbritta #luna #galaxie500 #vinylrecords #newmusic
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Still on a @stereolabgroop.bsky.social kick. Here’s a ticket stub from the 2022 Boston show. Probably the last ticket stub I’ll ever get- ha ha #stereolab #vinylrecord #concertticket #boston
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Dipping into some @stereolabgroop.bsky.social #vinyl #vinylrecords #stereolab #concertticket #portlandoregon
Album cover for the band StereolabConcert ticket stub from 1999 when Stereolab played the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Great show by Eiko Ishibashi.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Read a book. #asakoyuzuki #butter #pollybarton #novel
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Giving the new Horsegirl record a spin. #vinyl #horsegirl #vinylrecord #matadorrecords
Photo of Horsegirl’s 2nd record album.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Lovely Hilma af Klint exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. #himaafklint #art #tokyo
Large Hilma af Klint paintingLarge Hilma af Klint painting Large Hilma af Klint painting Advert for the Hilma af Klint show in front of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Thrash Metal! Being raised a Jehovah’s Witness (ugh)! Demons! Aliens! Friends! Read my latest essay published in the ever awesome LIT. Great artwork throughout the issue too! Especially Matt Bollinger & Andy Mister. #essay #thrashmetal #overkill #jehovahwitness #writerslife #the90s #litmagazine
litmagazine.org
Demons are Real? – LIT
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Recent finds in the used bins: Mogwai, Emma Andersen & Enon. #vinyl #usedrecords #mogwai #emmaandersen #enon
Mogwai My Father My King 12”Emma Andersen Pearlies vinylEnon vinyl
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
My Sundays reissue finally arrived. #thesundays #vinyl #records
Photo of cover and gold vinyl. 2025 The Sundays Blind.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Always nice to see my name recognized with so many other amazing writers. I can’t make this party but if you’re in NYC… #writerslife #poetry #ihrtthecultyears #thenewschool #alumnifacultybookparty
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Recent spins: Flowchart (12”), Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, and some Gould & Bernstein #vinylrecords #vinyl #lorellemeetstheobsolete #flowchart #usedrecords #classicalmusic
Flowchart vinylLorelle Meets the Obsolete vinylGlenn Gould and Leonard Bernstein vinyl
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
The Haunting has arrived @peebscate.bsky.social
Picture of Cate Peebles new poetry book, The Haunting.
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
One year of the CULT. Thanks to everyone who has read it, recommended it, and gave me a reading. Still some copies left. Head over to @vapress.bsky.social #poetry #poetrybook #ihrtthecultyears #vapress #smallpresspoetry #writerslife
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Found this 30th anniversary reissue of @mogwai.scot BBC recordings at Tower Records in Shibuya, Tokyo. #mogwai #vinyl #records #postrock #towerrecords #vinylcollection #bbc #obi
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Found this on the shelf at Tower Records in Tokyo. Felt like a teenager again (in the best possible way:) @slumberlandrecords.bsky.social
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Just started reading this debut by Lindsey Webb. #poetry #poetrybook #archwayeditions
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Reading Stuart Braithwaite’s book while listening to the new @mogwai.scot record. Classic nerd move & I’m hear for it. #mogwai #vinyl #record #musicnerd #book #scotland
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Recent pics from the Boris show. #concert #music #boris #tokyo
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Reposted by Steven Karl
jericho jennifer nelson @henkaipantomime.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
in honor of @stevenrkarl.bsky.social showing up here, here is a poem of his from @fineprintpaper.com issue 13
image of a poem in newsprint zine, with partial illustration to left and the left edge of another poem across the opening. the poem reads:

SISTER FADE 
STEVEN KARL

a time ago you 
& I moved through
the wood that 
noise that crack 
of fallen sticks 
the chewing of leaves 
Jersey Devil or you 
thinking thru a joke 
of splintered Autumn light 
or you just being a jerk 
more than a tease 
to your timid 
brother but now 
after so many decades 
sister I laugh & 
applaud your attempt 
at horror what 
a shock it seems 
to remember this 
all now while 
a partial shadow 
falls on a sidewalk 
like how you were 
always seen 
yet stored 
so many 
secrets in 
darkness to miss 
you now at a random 
time on a random 
day on a random 
afternoon far removed 
from pine barrens or 
the cracked bell of 
our infancy what 
a life: sun 
burning dull red 
brick buildings college 
kids & cups 
of coffee a chipmunk 
skittering from weeds 
to asphalt to do 
nothing but notice
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Steven Karl @stevenrkarl.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Coltrane. Books. #vinyl #books
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