iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

-you bought the Left Behind series or purity rings -your faith is a wrestling match of disillusionment and unreasonable hope -your version of heaven includes magnolia trees -you believe that Flannery O'Connor and Marilynne Robinson would become friends after 2 mint juleps

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

You might like it if one of the following is true: -you've lived in the South -the word "home" sounds like both "love" and "grief" -your siblings are your soulmates -you've spent time on a farm or love farm animals

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Chiara Di Lello @chiaradilello.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

a childfree poem after my own heart -- spotted by chance looking through @stonecoastreview.bsky.social's site and OMG @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social very glad to have found your work <3 stonecoastreview.org/issue-23/the...

stonecoastreview.org

The Gynecologist Explains My Options — The Stonecoast Review

You don’t have many years left, if I’m being honest.  Amazing how quickly a woman’s window

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I haven't been on Bluesky in months, and this was the best notification to come back to! I'm glad the poem spoke to you!

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

As an Orthodox Christian, I should have found this article encouraging. But it makes me more...concerned. Faith is not therapy for masculine insecurities. (If your comment is to trash religion, I'll just block you.) cc @shoutingboy.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/u...

nytimes.com

Orthodox Church Pews Are Overflowing With Converts

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Honorable Mentions: "Ars Poetica, with Foxes" by Lauren Delapenha and "Neuroception" by Jill Haugen

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Congrats to the Fare Forward Poetry Competition winners! First Place: "Dire Wolf" by Isabel Cristina Legarda (@poetintheor.bsky.social) Second Place: "Wisdom" by Joyce Schmid Third Place: "Postcard from Mexico City, 15 July 2025" by Alena Coleman

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

So incredibly proud of my twin flame, Monty Bennett, for writing this incredibly thoughtful, vulnerable, and important essay about her experience as a gay Christian. I consider this required reading. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

theatlantic.com

I Left My Church—And Found Christianity

No one should have to choose between their community and their own integrity.

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Psaltery & Lyre @psalteryandlyre.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

"What makes some political poems last while others feel more like edifying sermons that I will soon forget?... James Cherry's ‘Between Chance and Mercy’ came in to answer my question." @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social reviews "Between Chance and Mercy" by James E. Cherry

psalteryandlyre.org

Book Review: “Between Chance and Mercy” by James E. Cherry

Review by Whitney Rio-Ross

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

I was delighted to have this poem in EcoTheo Review last week! I also 100% recommend screaming in a field for your mental health.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

(Note: It was also a procession. The NYT has been consistently bad at Opinion headlines to make hot takes ever hotter, and the author does not use this phrasing.)

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Megan McDermott (she/her) @megmcdermott92.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Post-youth group Lucille Clifton

i am accused of tending to the past as if i made it, as if i sculpted it
with my own hands. i did not. this past was waiting for me when i came, a monstrous unnamed baby, and i with my mother's itch took it to breast and named it History.
she is more human now, learning language everyday,
remembering faces, names and dates. when she is strong enough to travel on her own, beware, she will.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

This week, my sister offered culture recs in The Atlantic Daily, and they included part of my poem originally published in @rogueagent.bsky.social 😮 I accept this nepotism as payment for years of being a chauffeur, secret keeper, & help in times of troublemaking. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

theatlantic.com

A hilarious movie that understands the South

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I finally made/updated an author website. Thank you to poet Lauren Smothers for letting me use her wonderful photography! www.whitneyrioross.com

whitneyrioross.com

Whitney Rio-Ross

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

I'm honored to be included in the gorgeous @lastsyllablelit.bsky.social's latest issue! Many thanks to them for publishing this long poem that took me forever to write as I wrestled with what it means to be the descendent of a long line of white Southerners. lastsyllablelit.com/heres-a-trut...

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

We have been in Texas for less than 24 hours, and my accent has already gotten stronger. God help me.

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

UNC Press @uncpress.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Recently, UNC Press authors have had their US visas revoked and talks canceled. For over 100 years, we have stood for academic freedom and open discourse, and continue to do so. Read more on the UNC Press Blog ⬇️

uncpressblog.com

Academic Freedom and Open Discourse - UNC Press Blog

For over 100 years UNC Press has championed the principles of academic freedom, open discourse, and the free exchange of ideas—values essential to a democratic society and the pursuit of knowledge. R...

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

And if you can't get a ticket, send me a note, and I'll send you the Zoom link!

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Want to hear wonderful poems to kick off your weekend? Come to The Still Point, featuring the winners of the Fare Forward Poetry Competition! www.eventbrite.com/e/the-still-...

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Peter Lilly Poetry @plpoetry.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

farefwd.com/index.php/20... I'm really honoured & moved by this beautifully written & meaningful review of my second collection "A Handful of Prayers" Thanks to Matthew Pullar for writing it & to @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social & the team at Fare Forward for publishing it.

farefwd.com

A Handful of Prayers – Fare Forward

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Language and dance are my love languages. Thank you so much to Earth & Altar for publishing this poem.

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Megan McDermott (she/her) @megmcdermott92.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Love this new poem from @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social! "...God was the Christmas pageant star. God was not a girl. The earth he made with apples seeds, the heavens with half-priced glitter. We danced, and God smiled..."

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Rogue Agent Journal @rogueagent.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Shadow puppets, a dove, and an exploding notebook…RA 117 is here! With poetry by Stella Brice @wordperv Jaylani Loveday @karennmcpherson Kathy Nelson @whitlynnrioross Alana Torrez Yuan Changming & @suzi00 // www.rogueagentjournal.com/issue117

rogueagentjournal.com

Issue 117 — RogueAgent

Welcome!

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

So honored by the nomination and also honored just to be on any list that includes these poets!

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Also, while I typed this, I received a text with a picture of a newly born calf. Tis the season.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

My dad, when asked about when he started dating my mom: "She was a marrying prospect." He calls healthy heifers that he'll keep in the herd good breeding prospects.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

We've entered the season when I have to start wearing jeans. I have never gotten used to this transition. Thoughts and prayers appreciated.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 02/08/2024

Please listen to the most recent season of @npr.org 's Embedded podcast about sex testing in sports. And please don't bully women for being great athletes. Actually, just don't bully anyone.

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 01/05/2024

I forget that this site exists sometimes and therefore forgot to share my thoughts on this great short story collection by Julia Ridley Smith from @blairpub.bsky.social farefwd.com/index.php/20...

farefwd.com

Sex Romp Gone Wrong – Fare Forward

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Reposted by Whitney Rio-Ross

Peter Lilly Poetry @plpoetry.bsky.social · 30/01/2024

If you're not signed up for the Fare Forward newsletter, do it today!... And soon you should receive my poem "Say What?"... I'm really thankful to @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social for selecting the poem. Check out their website and sign up for the newsletter: farefwd.com

farefwd.com

Fare Forward – A Christian Review of Ideas

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 17/01/2024

"I'm here for a couple days trying to write a book. A small one. I don't know what I'm doing."--an old postcard from my father and exactly how I feel now

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 12/01/2024

I always feel a little scared when asked to review a book by a writer I've never read before. But I am so grateful that @PsalteryLyre gave me the chance to read Elizabeth Harlan-Ferlo's "Incarnation, Again". It's an incredible collection!

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 04/01/2024

I'm so sorry! Based on my outing this morning, I think you will not be alone for long. Gonna be a rough month out there :(

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 30/12/2023

Truly honored to have my poem included in such a great journal

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Whitney Rio-Ross @whitlynnrioross.bsky.social · 19/12/2023

Our niece, last month: "Whitney and Joshua are dancing like they just got married today." Here's to seven years 🥂

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