Les Kay
@leskay.bsky.social
Poet, musician, writer, PhD, former academic, former instructional designer, former business analyst, caretaker of one dog and one cat, reluctant Midwesterner.
An essay with a slightly misleading title. A bit of a memoir, a bit of a lyric essay, a bit of an homage to a mom who struggled, sometimes, to be a mom, a bit of radical empathy.
I’m proud of this essay & hope you’ll read it.
I’m proud of this essay & hope you’ll read it.
The Impossible Boy
When I was a small boy, I did impossible things.
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 AM
An essay with a slightly misleading title. A bit of a memoir, a bit of a lyric essay, a bit of an homage to a mom who struggled, sometimes, to be a mom, a bit of radical empathy.
I’m proud of this essay & hope you’ll read it.
I’m proud of this essay & hope you’ll read it.
Today, I’ve been married for 21 years. I know this is a fact, but I’m still struggling to believe either of us is old enough for this fact to exist.
October 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Today, I’ve been married for 21 years. I know this is a fact, but I’m still struggling to believe either of us is old enough for this fact to exist.
That creature looks strangely familiar…
Post from Rising of the Lights - YouTube
New song. Coming soon.
youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
That creature looks strangely familiar…
Sometimes, I make music too. Or noise.
Rising of the Lights — So All Can Grieve a While (Together)
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
October 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Sometimes, I make music too. Or noise.
Still working on my Substack, Adventures in the Key of WTF…
It’s not really about “depression” any longer, but I’ve prioritized exploring and confronting the weird things that make us go “WTF”?
And maybe this one is important? Useful? I hope so. 💕
It’s not really about “depression” any longer, but I’ve prioritized exploring and confronting the weird things that make us go “WTF”?
And maybe this one is important? Useful? I hope so. 💕
Writing in the Time of (Self) Censorship
Before I begin, let me say that I unequivocally oppose all violence in the name of politics.
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Still working on my Substack, Adventures in the Key of WTF…
It’s not really about “depression” any longer, but I’ve prioritized exploring and confronting the weird things that make us go “WTF”?
And maybe this one is important? Useful? I hope so. 💕
It’s not really about “depression” any longer, but I’ve prioritized exploring and confronting the weird things that make us go “WTF”?
And maybe this one is important? Useful? I hope so. 💕
Randomly reread this today & remembered how much I loved this poem (and many of his other poems and his music). Now seems a good day to think about David Berman. I mean this dude’s dad made bank being up to no good for his whole life, but David Berman chose, instead, to make this.
The Moon
A web of sewer, pipe, and wire connects each house to the others.
poets.org
September 30, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Randomly reread this today & remembered how much I loved this poem (and many of his other poems and his music). Now seems a good day to think about David Berman. I mean this dude’s dad made bank being up to no good for his whole life, but David Berman chose, instead, to make this.
I know I should send out poems again soon, but I’m also over here trying to build a different sort of career, take care of three animals (or 5 if you count the people who live here), stave off severe depression, and not let my country sink further into Fascism.
Oh, and write. Still writing.
Oh, and write. Still writing.
September 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I know I should send out poems again soon, but I’m also over here trying to build a different sort of career, take care of three animals (or 5 if you count the people who live here), stave off severe depression, and not let my country sink further into Fascism.
Oh, and write. Still writing.
Oh, and write. Still writing.
So, I have a Substack. It started with a focus on depression (& anxiety), but the world is (really?) weird.
So I’m—more or less—re-launching it as “Adventures in the Key of WTF….” I think it will be a platform where things that make you go “WTF?” are explored. Kind of like this:
So I’m—more or less—re-launching it as “Adventures in the Key of WTF….” I think it will be a platform where things that make you go “WTF?” are explored. Kind of like this:
BE PURE! RAPTURE 2025: And Now He Only Eats Guitars…
Sunday morning.
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
So, I have a Substack. It started with a focus on depression (& anxiety), but the world is (really?) weird.
So I’m—more or less—re-launching it as “Adventures in the Key of WTF….” I think it will be a platform where things that make you go “WTF?” are explored. Kind of like this:
So I’m—more or less—re-launching it as “Adventures in the Key of WTF….” I think it will be a platform where things that make you go “WTF?” are explored. Kind of like this:
Did a podcast the other day. With @chrismaverick.bsky.social, Stephanie Siler, and Matthew Brake.
e389. Boycotts and their Cultural Impact — The VoxPopcast
So… America is in a weird place right now. Frankly, we could say that just about every week these days. But this last couple of weeks it’s been even more…
voxpopcast.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Did a podcast the other day. With @chrismaverick.bsky.social, Stephanie Siler, and Matthew Brake.
Imagine writing and recording a song everyday for two months. That would be…
Daily Affirmations - YouTube
youtube.com
February 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Imagine writing and recording a song everyday for two months. That would be…
Mid-tempo. Atmospheric. Has a nice little groove.
Rising of the Lights - Sans-Seraphim
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
February 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Mid-tempo. Atmospheric. Has a nice little groove.
Sometimes, it’s a struggle to come up with interesting and honest titles for instrumental pieces of music.
Sometimes….
Sometimes….
Rising of the Lights — Simulation Theory (Go Home, Tech Bro, You’re Drunk)
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
February 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Sometimes, it’s a struggle to come up with interesting and honest titles for instrumental pieces of music.
Sometimes….
Sometimes….
Today, I’m planning to read this Countee Cullen poem multiple times.
Heritage
What is Africa to me: Copper sun or scarlet sea, Jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men, or regal black Women from whose loins I sprang When the birds of Eden sang? So I lie, whose fount of p...
www.poetryfoundation.org
February 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Today, I’m planning to read this Countee Cullen poem multiple times.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Langston Hughes lately.
I, Too
They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.
www.poetryfoundation.org
February 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I’ve been thinking a lot about Langston Hughes lately.
One of my favorite things about the “New York School” was the peculiar way those poets, sometimes created language-scapes that, quite simply, ignored those who would repress them. I still don’t know if that’s a tenable strategy. In fact, sometimes it absolutely is not. But it is a strategy.
Rising of the Lights - Denali
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
January 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
One of my favorite things about the “New York School” was the peculiar way those poets, sometimes created language-scapes that, quite simply, ignored those who would repress them. I still don’t know if that’s a tenable strategy. In fact, sometimes it absolutely is not. But it is a strategy.
I think I actually like this little track…. 🤔
Rising of the Lights - Clarion
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
January 17, 2025 at 3:48 AM
I think I actually like this little track…. 🤔
Reposted by Les Kay
Written before the election. I have found that immersive reading is saving my mind right now. That means without my phone nearby to doom scroll, btw. Immersive reading does not work with constant distraction.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Cults and mind viruses run rampant. Powerful algorithms hijack our minds. No wonder we all feel so deranged.
They say my novels are surreal. But when I watch Elon Musk playing the jester in Donald Trump’s court, I’m not so sure. His latest novel is “Absolution.”
www.thestar.com
January 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Written before the election. I have found that immersive reading is saving my mind right now. That means without my phone nearby to doom scroll, btw. Immersive reading does not work with constant distraction.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Just binged the TV show, Heels. It made me ugly cry more than a couple of times. Kind of cathartic given, well….
Which raises this very important question: What TV shows have made you weep? And was the snow good?
Which raises this very important question: What TV shows have made you weep? And was the snow good?
November 20, 2024 at 5:12 AM
Just binged the TV show, Heels. It made me ugly cry more than a couple of times. Kind of cathartic given, well….
Which raises this very important question: What TV shows have made you weep? And was the snow good?
Which raises this very important question: What TV shows have made you weep? And was the snow good?
Reposted by Les Kay
Have you had a book published in the past two years? Consider submitting to The Wardrobe! The Wardrobe’s “Best Dressed” features work from recent books of any genre written by women, nonbinary, and genderqueer writers. sundressblog.com/the-wardrobe/
The Wardrobe - The Sundress Blog
As part of our ongoing commitment to women, nonbinary, and genderqueer authors, Sundress Publications is accepting submissions for The Wardrobe. Each week our editors will promote a single author, re...
sundressblog.com
November 15, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Have you had a book published in the past two years? Consider submitting to The Wardrobe! The Wardrobe’s “Best Dressed” features work from recent books of any genre written by women, nonbinary, and genderqueer writers. sundressblog.com/the-wardrobe/
With so many new poetry followers, thinking I need to share some poetry. Here’s three (of my weirder) poems published a while back.
Looking forward to seeing poems from many of y’all soon too!
#poetry #poems
Looking forward to seeing poems from many of y’all soon too!
#poetry #poems
Les Kay — Ghost Town Literary Magazine
ghosttownlitmag.com
November 13, 2024 at 5:27 PM
How are you holding up? 💕
November 12, 2024 at 8:16 PM
How are you holding up? 💕
I shared this on other platforms. I think it’s very good.
“Departures” by Rising of the Lights
YouTube video by Rising of the Lights
youtu.be
November 12, 2024 at 8:03 PM
I shared this on other platforms. I think it’s very good.
What’s more American than baseball, basketball, football, and apple pie?
Movies about all the sports!
Movies about all the sports!
On this week’s episode we talk about Sports Movies. All sports movies! What makes them good? What makes them popular? What makes them suck? Listen and let us know your thoughts! voxpopcast.com/wp/2024/05/0... by @chrismaverick.bsky.social, @leskay.bsky.social
e317: From Field to Frame: Life Lessons from Sports Movies — The VoxPopcast The VoxPopcast
Sometimes when the world is on fire, you just want to watch a dumb feel good sports movie. Right now the world is on fire, so we thought maybe we’d…
voxpopcast.com
May 6, 2024 at 6:12 PM
What’s more American than baseball, basketball, football, and apple pie?
Movies about all the sports!
Movies about all the sports!
If I’m involved in a 30/30 next year, it won’t be songs. Poems. Other writing, but not songs.
This year, though, somehow there were 31. I am tired.
Here’s 6.
This year, though, somehow there were 31. I am tired.
Here’s 6.
30 Songs in 30 Days
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
youtube.com
May 1, 2024 at 4:43 PM
If I’m involved in a 30/30 next year, it won’t be songs. Poems. Other writing, but not songs.
This year, though, somehow there were 31. I am tired.
Here’s 6.
This year, though, somehow there were 31. I am tired.
Here’s 6.
How goes the April 30/30? Check the playlist.
And if you want to see all 30 (eventually), track down the Patreon.
And if you want to see all 30 (eventually), track down the Patreon.
30 Songs in 30 Days
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
youtube.com
April 24, 2024 at 1:29 PM
How goes the April 30/30? Check the playlist.
And if you want to see all 30 (eventually), track down the Patreon.
And if you want to see all 30 (eventually), track down the Patreon.