J. L. Yocum

Poetry

  • “Sonnet 5” is forthcoming in the July 2026 issue of Moonday Mag.

  • “Ritual of Astonishments” is forthcoming in Luna Luna Magazine.

  • “Sonnet 4” is forthcoming in Luna Luna Magazine.

  • “Motor Mouth” is forthcoming in either the Summer or Winter 2025 issue of The Comstock Review.

  • “Your father” appears in the Winter 2025 issue (Vol. 8 No. 3) of Thimble Literary Magazine. Available in print from Thimble Literary Group for $16.00 USD.

  • “Vernissage” appears in the December 7th feature of $ Poetry Is Currency.

  • “Pegasus City” appears in the December 7th feature of $ Poetry Is Currency.

  • “Where the kittens hide” appears in the October 2025 issue of Pinhole Poetry.

  • Why is a grappling hook like a toothbrush?Why is a chrysanthemum like a handgrenade? Why is my beating heartlike the surprise in your voice? Why is a terracotta soldier like the cat on my lap?Why is a falling knife like the sound of breakingglass? Why is this stab of lightninglike a peal of glad laughter…

  • I’m so sorry to hear youhave wings, a half dozen, you don’t looklike a seraph. I’ve never noticed you’re fullof eyes. Sorry to hear you are really an empty throne, thousand-spokedwheels under your soles,forty teeth in your mouth and too-long arms.You’re so bright! This must be hard, your feathersunfolding, the razors of halogen, the bladesof…