Isabella J Mansfield • Poet • Spoken Word Performer • PWD
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poetisabella.bsky.social
Isabella J Mansfield • Poet • Spoken Word Performer • PWD
@poetisabella.bsky.social
Author of Lemon and The Hollows of Bone. Write Bloody Jack McCarthy Prize Honorable Mention, 3x Pushcart Nominee, 3x Best of the Net Nominee
Booking: isabellajmansfield@gmail.com

linktr.ee/isabellajmansfield
Pecan Pie - from “Hurt Sounds”

My dad made
the best pecan pie
or so I’m told
I never tried it
I don’t remember many
Thanksgivings
with him at home
divorce has a way
of separating you
from the things
you didn’t know
you were missing
December 6, 2025 at 2:59 AM
What’s a little November snow? All the more reason to spend tomorrow with me at the Downtown Library for the Ann Arbor Community Book Festival!! Nothing cozier than a good book ❤️. I’ll see you tomorrow!! #annarbor #annarborbookfest #newbookstagram #novembersnow #poetry
November 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
This Wednesday is the launch party for Hurt Sounds!! I would love to see you at 2 Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton, MI!!
October 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Next Wednesday is the official launch event for Hurt Sounds!! if you’re in SE Michigan, I would love to share this evening with you! Join us at 2Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton, 10/22 at 6pm!! 💙📚
October 15, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I will be opening the show this Saturday at the 11th annual LO Palooza music festival in Lake Orion, MI!! Come hang out! 100% of the proceeds support making recreational spaces accessible in local communities ❤️❤️
September 7, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I’ve got your Saturday and Sunday plans sorted! I’ll be at the Plymouth unFair Saturday w books to sign and performing too!

Sunday at Books&Brews with A Novel Event & Rivers Edge Brewery! Come hang out, Michigan!!!
August 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
i am counting myself to sleep
each ache a lost lamb

i call them back, in whisper:
“you are safe.”

when I notice the tension
I lose count of the flock

it takes more time
to count the missing

ijm
August 7, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I’m so lucky to work in a place not only dedicated to helping our community, as the only neuro rehab clinic in our county, but for a company who celebrates #DisabilityPrideMonth
July 28, 2025 at 11:52 PM
MAGA “If yer gonna come to our country you gotta learn our language.”

Also maga:
July 11, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Next Wed is the anniversary of my dad’s death from sepsis as a result of kidney cancer. Next Wed I’m having surgery for the kidney stone that caused septic shock. It’s…unnerving. Anyway, would you pls preorder the chapbook I wrote about his death? It won’t fix it but it might make me feel better.
May 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
So excited to judge this cool contest!🤩

ONE® Condoms believes in the power of self expression & art to make it easier to learn about, talk about, and practice safer sex. Details and prize info at the link, entries due 7/31
onecondoms.com/pages/poetry...
April 21, 2025 at 11:25 PM
And this is Octopus. He seems to think he’s a dog, he’s not terribly good at being a cat. Or a dog. Or an octopus.
April 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
What’s up Henry! This is Salt. if you say hi to her, be prepared to immediately say bye. She loves people. I guess she also just loves running.
April 17, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I'm not an April Fools Day fan, but I AM a fan of National Poetry Month, and I've got another event this week if you're in Michigan! Read about it below, and come hang out with me on Thursday!

Also pls enjoy the pansies and hellebore I saw at the nursery.
buymeacoffee.com/isabellajman...
April 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
HAPPY WORLD POETRY DAY!!

Certain people in certain administrations might have taken some awareness and days of observation off the calendar in the name of “DEI” but they can’t take this one because they probably don’t know it exists..

But the poets do.
March 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
World Poetry Day is almost here! Friday 3/21 I’ll be at 2 Dandelions Bookshop, Brighton MI for our 2nd Pop Up Poetry event from 4-6p. Just before 6p, I’ll switch it up to nature poems to welcome conservation biologist Thor Hanson for his author event. See you Friday!
March 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Happy yester-birthday!!
March 13, 2025 at 1:11 AM
In 2 weeks, I’ll be in Grand Haven, MI for the Third Coast Author & Book Festival! This is an event you won’t want to miss if you’re a book lover-over 100 authors, book signings, panels and more.Plus a silent auction & charity gala benefiting Bluebird Cancer Retreats💙Thirdcoastfest.org for details!
March 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
In a necessary bright spot this week, I am honored to share that my upcoming poetry chapbook, Hurt Sounds, was a finalist for the New Women's Voices Chapbook Series, and will be published by @finishinglinepress.bsky.social 💙📚

Details to come; for now, let these pictures offer a little hint :)
February 4, 2025 at 10:10 PM
This is not a cabinet, this is a junk drawer.
January 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
January 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
January 25, 2025 at 3:43 AM
I wrote this just three days after the election. I’m sharing it now because… I don’t know what else to do. Everything feels somehow far away and maddening. If you’re in this place too, say hi. I just need to know someone is out there. #📚💙 #poetry
January 21, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Hit that golden hour light and felt a little bit pretty, which never really happens.
January 19, 2025 at 2:17 AM
If you're in the Brighton, MI area this weekend, I would love to see you at my monthly Poetry Workshop and Open Mic at 2 Dandelions Bookshop.Workshop @ 2:30p is a collaborative editing, roundtable format. Bring a WIP to share for feedback. Open Mic follows @ 4pm. Come to share or just to enjoy!
January 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM