MFA Payday

My short poem, "Flattened Grass," about what happens when the thing that has consumed you suddenly ends. In my case, it was a month of writing. Apparently my brain decided a departed carnival was the appropriate metaphor. 🎪

Sorry about the air conditioner humming throughout the recording! Done is better than perfect!

CW: death, alcohol

Here's one of my earliest poems, "Renewal," inspired by the movie "Logan's Run." This was first published by aesterion out of California in their Spring 2026 issue. 

I hope you enjoy it! 

Drema reads her poem, "Sonshine," about a face painter who tells a story about a opossum and her dog. CW: death

While this is not a polished reading, it is heartfelt and I hope it might ease your pain if you've suffered loss. 

This first appeared on my blog, then recently was published by Bards Against Hunger. 

Today I’m sharing a reading of my (Drema's) poem White Lake Fish.
Poetry found me again last spring, and I’ve been following where it leads.

Content note: this poem deals with death.

"Control: The Language" Read by the author, Drema Drudge, on a chilly winter's day. This was one of the earliest poems she (I) wrote. At least recently. 

A flash of memory. A poem that knows exactly how it feels to be struck by something you didn’t see coming.

In this brief reading, I share Some Said It Thundered, a poem about those sudden sparks that keep echoing long after the moment passes. Think Back to the Future, but make it poetry. Make it personal.

Happy holidays, friends, and may your heart stay just flammable enough. Keep creating! 

“Some Said It Thundered” written and read by Drema Drudge.
 © 2025 Drema Drudge. All rights reserved.

Read by the author, Drema Drudge, on a fall night on a porch while listening to the leaves fall, with a raspy throat but a determined heart. Because the muse is always with us. 

Written and read by Drema Drudge. © 2025. All rights reserved.

Just sharing another poem, "Fight Me in the Waffle House Parking Lot at Dawn," first published by The Daily Drunk. Many thanks to them. 

As I say before I read the poem, this came to me while I was on cold medicine and was awake at maybe three a.m. and this little critter just showed up.  I really like it.

Oh, and the onion rings line? Like someone taking out their earrings for a fight, right? 

I'm not one for violence, but I will fight for art. And love. :-) 

A truck drove past right as I was in the middle of recording, and I decided to keep the sound in. Why not?

Fight Me in the Waffle House Parking Lot at Dawn

Fight me in the Waffle House parking lot at dawn.

Take out your onion rings
and hand them to your bestie
except, no onion rings here.

You can’t handle

The Roof

wrapped in paper napkins.

Shadow box four rounds
or line dance your way
back to town.

Go inside,
pick a spot at the counter
and perform Americana.

Norman Rockwell will see you now.

Psst…I kinda like this little freak.

Copyright Drema Drudge 2025. All rights reserved. 

In this mini episode, Drema Drudge reads her original poem, All In, recorded live from her porch with a very vocal bird as uninvited co-host. 

A quiet reflection on mutual wisdom.

Background ambiance includes a determined bee and a loud, possibly judgmental bird.

Written and read by Drema Drudge. © 2025. All rights reserved.

Andrew Najberg returns with a couple of short readings from his forthcoming releases and a discussion of the origins of his novels.  You don't want to miss this! 

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