Paul Guest
@paulmguest.bsky.social
Poet and memoirist. Published in Best American Poetry, The Paris Review, Poetry, and elsewhere. Whiting Award Winner and Guggenheim Fellow.
Pinned
Paul Guest
@paulmguest.bsky.social
· May 13
I remember that time poetry gave me a jet
Reposted by Paul Guest
the best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity
February 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
the best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity
Reposted by Paul Guest
I say this three times a day and mean it more every single time, but what is going ON?????
February 5, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I say this three times a day and mean it more every single time, but what is going ON?????
Reposted by Paul Guest
one of my strongest beliefs is that we're in our situation right now bc some of the most prominent talking heads (e.g. joe rogan, andrew schulz) are learning about politics in their 40s and 50s, instead of their teens and early 20s, and we have to go along for the ride as they learn basic things
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
one of my strongest beliefs is that we're in our situation right now bc some of the most prominent talking heads (e.g. joe rogan, andrew schulz) are learning about politics in their 40s and 50s, instead of their teens and early 20s, and we have to go along for the ride as they learn basic things
Reposted by Paul Guest
In less than a week the Kennedy Center has effectively closed and our local DC paper has been gutted, both by billionaires.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
February 4, 2026 at 5:38 PM
In less than a week the Kennedy Center has effectively closed and our local DC paper has been gutted, both by billionaires.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
Reposted by Paul Guest
Gov Spanberger has directed Virginia’s state law enforcement agencies to end 287g agreements with ICE, saying the agreements "improperly cede accountability and discretion over VA law enforcement" to the feds.
www.governor.virginia.gov
February 4, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Gov Spanberger has directed Virginia’s state law enforcement agencies to end 287g agreements with ICE, saying the agreements "improperly cede accountability and discretion over VA law enforcement" to the feds.
Reposted by Paul Guest
I'm just waiting for Donald to tell Sean Hannity he'd be so much prettier if he smiled more.
February 4, 2026 at 8:30 PM
I'm just waiting for Donald to tell Sean Hannity he'd be so much prettier if he smiled more.
Reposted by Paul Guest
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I’ve Been Laid Off. I’m Not Done.
After 20 years at The Washington Post, I’m suddenly on my own — and still writing about books.
substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 PM
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Paul Guest
No we don’t you worthless lump of campaign bribes, we want ICE abolished and every person who committed crimes, as well as those who allowed it to happen, prosecuted. Go fucking retire, you’ve done enough damage already.
Democrats want commonsense reform for ICE:
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
February 3, 2026 at 11:25 PM
No we don’t you worthless lump of campaign bribes, we want ICE abolished and every person who committed crimes, as well as those who allowed it to happen, prosecuted. Go fucking retire, you’ve done enough damage already.
Reposted by Paul Guest
The center-will-hold folks seem to understand very little about widening gyres and mere anarchy.
February 2, 2026 at 7:18 PM
The center-will-hold folks seem to understand very little about widening gyres and mere anarchy.
Reposted by Paul Guest
We are ruled over by thieves and murderers and rapists who are hellbent on taking everything from us.
Evidence like the Epstein Files just makes abundantly clear what we already know and continually confronts us with a question we must answer: how much more of this are we willing to take?
Evidence like the Epstein Files just makes abundantly clear what we already know and continually confronts us with a question we must answer: how much more of this are we willing to take?
January 30, 2026 at 6:58 PM
We are ruled over by thieves and murderers and rapists who are hellbent on taking everything from us.
Evidence like the Epstein Files just makes abundantly clear what we already know and continually confronts us with a question we must answer: how much more of this are we willing to take?
Evidence like the Epstein Files just makes abundantly clear what we already know and continually confronts us with a question we must answer: how much more of this are we willing to take?
Reposted by Paul Guest
I’ll be in conversation with these smart poets a week from today, Fri 2/6 starting 6:30 pm—& the temps will be above freezing! Free @PVCC campus in Charlottesville VA. Register & get a free book! piedmontgarden.org/event/a-poet... #poetrycommunity @paulmguest.bsky.social @haydensaunier.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 6:46 PM
I’ll be in conversation with these smart poets a week from today, Fri 2/6 starting 6:30 pm—& the temps will be above freezing! Free @PVCC campus in Charlottesville VA. Register & get a free book! piedmontgarden.org/event/a-poet... #poetrycommunity @paulmguest.bsky.social @haydensaunier.bsky.social
This is wonderful
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 PM
This is wonderful
Reposted by Paul Guest
We are so thrilled that Aracelis Girmay has been selected as a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection for GREEN OF ALL HEADS!
The winner will be announced live at the 2026 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony, held at The Town Hall in New York City on March 31, 7:30pm.
The winner will be announced live at the 2026 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony, held at The Town Hall in New York City on March 31, 7:30pm.
January 30, 2026 at 12:48 AM
We are so thrilled that Aracelis Girmay has been selected as a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection for GREEN OF ALL HEADS!
The winner will be announced live at the 2026 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony, held at The Town Hall in New York City on March 31, 7:30pm.
The winner will be announced live at the 2026 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony, held at The Town Hall in New York City on March 31, 7:30pm.
Reposted by Paul Guest
Also, the worst actor in every Quentin Tarantino movie?
Always, always Quentin Tarantino.
Always, always Quentin Tarantino.
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Also, the worst actor in every Quentin Tarantino movie?
Always, always Quentin Tarantino.
Always, always Quentin Tarantino.
Message me on Signal.
January 29, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Message me on Signal.
Reposted by Paul Guest
Activists are calling for a “nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping” across the U.S. on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown following the fatal shootings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis.
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Activists are calling for a “nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping” across the U.S. on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown following the fatal shootings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Paul Guest
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Paul Guest
Dear neighbor, It is not the time to let your guard down, nor is it the time to stop organizing.
While Bovino will be leaving Minneapolis along with some U.S. Border Patrol agents, there is still no specific plan that has been communicated to the public. 1/
While Bovino will be leaving Minneapolis along with some U.S. Border Patrol agents, there is still no specific plan that has been communicated to the public. 1/
January 27, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Dear neighbor, It is not the time to let your guard down, nor is it the time to stop organizing.
While Bovino will be leaving Minneapolis along with some U.S. Border Patrol agents, there is still no specific plan that has been communicated to the public. 1/
While Bovino will be leaving Minneapolis along with some U.S. Border Patrol agents, there is still no specific plan that has been communicated to the public. 1/
Reposted by Paul Guest
People who think we should wait until we win everything think we should win forever. Celebrate interim victories, partial victories, imperfect victories, small victories, because celebrating strengthens the resolve to keep on, reminds us of our power, and also is fun.
January 27, 2026 at 3:39 AM
People who think we should wait until we win everything think we should win forever. Celebrate interim victories, partial victories, imperfect victories, small victories, because celebrating strengthens the resolve to keep on, reminds us of our power, and also is fun.
Reposted by Paul Guest
How about these apples
Bovino: "When politicians, community leaders, & some journalists engage in that heated rhetoric we keep talking about, when they make the choice to vilify law enforcement calling law enforcement 'Gestapo' or using the term 'kidnapping,' that is a choice & there are actions & consequences."
January 27, 2026 at 3:31 AM
How about these apples
Reposted by Paul Guest
Do you understand they are weak and their violence comes from weakness?
If we fight them together, if we link arms, if we say enough in one voice, they will crumble and we will be free to create something better, something we deserve.
I’m begging. Please. See it. Know it.
If we fight them together, if we link arms, if we say enough in one voice, they will crumble and we will be free to create something better, something we deserve.
I’m begging. Please. See it. Know it.
January 27, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Do you understand they are weak and their violence comes from weakness?
If we fight them together, if we link arms, if we say enough in one voice, they will crumble and we will be free to create something better, something we deserve.
I’m begging. Please. See it. Know it.
If we fight them together, if we link arms, if we say enough in one voice, they will crumble and we will be free to create something better, something we deserve.
I’m begging. Please. See it. Know it.
Reposted by Paul Guest
Damn proud of Minnesota.
January 26, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Damn proud of Minnesota.
Reposted by Paul Guest
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
Reposted by Paul Guest
Another murder by immigration enforcement in my district.
I am absolutely horrified that federal agents are targeting and executing our residents instead of protecting them.
ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately. Kristi Noem must be impeached. Enough.
I am absolutely horrified that federal agents are targeting and executing our residents instead of protecting them.
ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately. Kristi Noem must be impeached. Enough.
January 24, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Another murder by immigration enforcement in my district.
I am absolutely horrified that federal agents are targeting and executing our residents instead of protecting them.
ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately. Kristi Noem must be impeached. Enough.
I am absolutely horrified that federal agents are targeting and executing our residents instead of protecting them.
ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately. Kristi Noem must be impeached. Enough.