Poeaxtry's Prism

Spell. Stone. & Sparks that Ignite Change

Tag: queer poetry

  • Title: Ramblings of the Lost and Found – Poetry by Axton Mitchell

    Title: Ramblings of the Lost and Found – Poetry by Axton Mitchell

    Ramblings of the Lost and Found is the second full-length poetry collection by Axton Mitchell. A transgender poet exploring the raw intersections of identity, grief, love, survival, and memory. Written over the span of a season in time. This 63-poem collection captures the in-betweens of life: the moments that break you, rebuild you, and leave you asking why.

    Through vivid, intimate snapshots, Axton navigates relationships, trauma, mental health, queer joy, and parental loss. Each piece feels like a note from a storm or a whispered secret from a healing place. Either way, offering readers a deeply human, unflinching perspective on life’s complexities.

    Content Warning:

    Themes include grief, death of a parent, trauma, mental illness, identity-based experiences, and suicidal ideations.

    Why You’ll Love This Collection:

    Vulnerable and unfiltered exploration of life’s emotional landscapes 63 poems capturing the messy beauty of existence. Insight into the lived experience of a transgender poet, perfect for readers seeking connection, reflection, and honesty.

    Read, Reflect, & Connect:

    You can experience samples of this collection on:

    Wattpad. Quotev. Booksie.

    Purchase the full collection here:

    Etsy. Payhip. Gumroad. Amazon. Google Play.

    Want to explore more?

    Visit Poeaxtry and the Prism’s Archive Cheat Sheet. Discover all post categories, with a blurb and link to full post archive for each. Then find every post in that category in chronological order.

    Poeaxtry Links. Portfolio. Coffee?
    Beginnings and Endings.

  • New Year- New Era, New Names, New Vision

    New Year- New Era, New Names, New Vision

    What began as Poeaxtry_, my personal artistic persona and small business. This space was for self-published e-books rough Google Doc formatted, rockhounded items, and spiritual things. It turned into the Poetry Prism, a publishing arm and community centered on poetry. Though, over time, it became a home for indie poets as well as authors, artists, small businesses, and more.

    Does the name “Poetry Prism” really fit what we do now? We are clearly not just poetry anymore and not just words on the pages. The Prism Publishing has been a platform for all indie creators, artists, writers, musicians, and small businesses for awhile. But to reflect this evolution and to make our intentions and community more clear, we are dropping the word “Poetry.” The Prism now stands as an inclusive, expansive hub: one name, one era, one identity. So Poeaxtry & The Prism is no longer just for short that’s the form fitting identity. Though the publishing based email will remain poeaxtryspoetryprism@gmail.com at least for the time.

    A New Era of Collaboration

    Our collaborative efforts are evolving too. Gone are the days of simple community PDFs, themed collections, that are free-read by download. Now, we’re moving toward digital anthologies: quarterly curated collections featuring minority creators and allied contributors. With permission from all prior themed individual persons submitting work to continue with the new model. We are transitioning those early submissions into this new format. Just moving forward, no theme restrictions either!

    Each person may submit up to:

    10 poems
    10 digital art pieces or high-resolution photographs,
    2 essays,
    2 prose works
    from minority creators.

    Allied submissions are welcome at half that cap above.
    Free small-business ads spots celebrating creators and projects, Curated resources for indie publishers, artists, and small business owners.

    Important Dates:

    The first submission period for ads, poetry, art, prose, and essays is open until February 12, 2026. This allows time to curate, edit, promote, and release the inaugural quarterly.

    A New Era of E-Books

    E-books have traditionally followed seasons of life, chronicling moments and collections as they unfolded. Going forward, e-books will be curated around themes now as well as seasons of life:

    “The Man Who Was Never Enough and Somehow Too Much: an anthology exploring BPD and mental health.” Is a project for a themed e-book I have in the works.

    I.I.A.S.D.: the first free collection, explored 13 poems written on the day the election results were announced in 2024. To continue this free series I.I.A.S.D. Volume Two: 2025, Year of Fear- A Political Poetry Collection.” This one will explore poems of policy, advocacy, and social change. This collection was originally drafted as “It is a Sad Year.” Though, the political collection will still show the expansion over the year following Election Day. It captures my original poetic reflections on politics, society, and lived experience.

    These thematic collections ensure that every release is intentional, cohesive, and resonant. These collections provide context for the work. They also highlight perspectives and what future generations will call historical issues that matter.

    What This Means for You

    The Prism is now:

    One unified brand, dropping “Poetry” for clarity and inclusion. A hub for all indie creatives, with poetry still at its heart, but no longer its only focus. A gallery of meaningful digital themed e-books to go with the seasonal anthologies. A space for collaboration, spotlighting, and resources for marginalized voices, allies, and indie creators alike.

    This is our new era. A Prism shining light on voices, art, words, and projects that deserve attention—without confusion, without limits.

    Welcome to the next chapter.

    Forms

    Submit to the Quarterly by emailing poeaxtryspoetryprism@gmail.com or form

    Submit to Indie Spotlights/Shelf Space by emailing Poeaxtry@gmail.com or form

    Free Digital Collections For Honest Reviews Form

    Volunteer to mod, promote, format, etc. form

    Questions? Comments? Concerns? General Contact form

    Arc Readers & Street Team Form


    Poeaxtry Links Best of Poeaxtry Portfolio Buy me a Coffee

  • Poeaxtry_ is Where the People Are; Who Thrives and Why? A Deep Dive!

    Poeaxtry_ is Where the People Are; Who Thrives and Why? A Deep Dive!

    Hello Familiar Friends and New Names.

    And welcome where we are all people, first!

    Welcome to a space where we are all people first!

    At Poeaxtry_, I like to say that one of our mottos is “Poeaxtry_, where the people are.” But did I ever explain what that actually boils down to?

    Simply put: I don’t want to force anyone to find me. I want people who might be interested in reading, submitting, creating, or even just engaging with the emotional, hiking, or other free content I share, to discover me naturally and connect in their own way.

    That’s why I post the digital creations, and photos or videos I capture with my phone across social platforms. These posts share the highlights in text on the visual media, summaries in the captions, and links to read more if interested on my website. This site holds the “meat and potatoes,” also known as the full content. This leaves my work accessible to all fully in one place that doesn’t anyone to create an account to view. However subscribers to the website do receive a reward, but I’m probably getting ahead of myself. We’ll get all of that and more soon!

    Quality is Key

    There’s a difference between followers and believers, between noise and signal, between people who swipe and people who stay. Subscribers mean nothing when the numbers aren’t noticing or notifying. Numbers are nothing if they aren’t the people you resonate with.

    This post is a deep dive into the kinds of creators, readers, contributors, critics and community members who thrive at Poeaxtry_ and The Poetry Prism. I’m including a small reminder of our ethos that holds it all together.

    This isn’t about chasing numbers or chasing dopamine. It’s about quality, intention, and connection.

    Who Thrives Here?

    Readers Who Connect.

    People who may read something more than once to see what else is hiding.

    They look for depth over new discovery, connection over content trends.

    They pause, reflect, and engage with work that might challenge societies views or refuse pretend peacefulness.

    Creators Who Make With Purpose

    Not hobbyists. Not algorithm chasers.

    They craft poems like prayers, build zines like love letters, or publish work that has purpose.

    These creators make not for only applause, but because their work demands to hold space.

    Marginalized Voices & Intersectional Art

    We built this space because such spaces were scarce:

    LGBTQ+ voices, Disabled creatives, Neurodivergent makers, people in recovery, creators of color, and other communities America keeps attacking.

    This is visibility with intention, support with structure, and room without hierarchy.

    Contributors & Collaborators Who Grow Together

    This is a working ecosystem, not a pond of competitors.

    Here, people:

    Give and receive constructive feedback, look at success as mutual elevation, respect identities, collaborate while creating creative comrades, compete in creative showdowns, and much more.

    Discord Twitch

    Who This Isn’t For

    Algorithm chasing creators who aren’t the same as creative people they are much different.

    If your goal is to rage bait or chase clicks, this space isn’t for you.

    We value substance over fake.

    The “I’m above you” energy? Not going to fly here.

    Harm, Discrimination, Prejudice

    We do not tolerate dehumanizing behavior.

    Bigotry or discrimination that is based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, mental health, or any other immutable identity ends your collaboration here immediately.

    This is a safe creative community no slut shaming, body shaming, or politics. Transgender identity isn’t politics if you think so I don’t think you need me to tell me shit,

    poeaxtry’s website (updated first) Shared to mainstream & emerging social platforms Direct community spaces Publishing & sales: Amazon/Kindle, Google Play Books, Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip

    At Poeaxtry_ we are not tied to a single platform, always expanding.

    Community Spaces & Engagement

    I’m building safe, collaborative spaces for writers, artists, and makers:

    Discord with Collaborative threads, competitions, open mic nights, custom roles for interactions, and more. Feedback invited, not forced; silence allowed. Rest & presence valued over performance always.

    Publishing & Opportunities

    Poeaxtry’s Poetry Prism offers:

    Free publishing for minority indie creators: poetry, prose, visual art, mixed media, experimental work and Indie spotlights for indie creatives and small businesses Collaborative projects, resource sharing, critique circles

    2026 Initiatives

    Our new Quarterly digital magazine with open submissions, my own features, resource guides, advice sections addressing current issues, and open budget friendly calls for submissions.

    Also be looking for virtual and local open mic nights

    This is the ecosystem for those who thrive here creating, collaborating, connecting, and building together.

    Values Hold Poeaxtry_ Together

    Integrity, respect, care.

    Bigotry, discrimination, or harm ends collaboration immediately.

    We realistically can’t do full vetting or background checks but we know the truth surfaces naturally. Then we will act accordingly.

    This isn’t a growth strategy.

    This is a creative home for people who:

    Read meaningfully, create with care, connect generously, and Build community over content creating trend climbing.

    Your voice matters here. So if it’s genuine, grounded, and human come connect !

    Welcome to Poeaxtry_ and The Poetry Prism.

    Links portfolio kofi coffee?

    Google business reviews Goodreads

  • Things are Changing for Poeaxtry Community Collaborations

    Things are Changing for Poeaxtry Community Collaborations

    Shifting the Prism’s Collaborations Into a Quarterly Publication

    The why behind Collaborations

    I launched community collabs with one goal to create publications for marginalized voices to be heard. (I wanted to help their art be seen too, of course, and their business be found.) To be read by others would then be able to find voices similar to their own. Themed calls gave structure, that I thought would help. However, I like art when the creator feels compelled to create it, not when it’s created per a submission theme.

    Why I’m Changing the Model

    It became clear that themes sometimes act as invisible boundaries. They shaped not only what people created, but who felt comfortable submitting. Themes feel a bit too much like gatekeepers, for my comfort. Hear me out, you had to fit the art, poem, or essay in like a key based on theme.

    That contradicts who I am or whom I want to be. I want this space to belong to the creators themselves. I want to invite people to bring what’s real. What’s needed, even if it doesn’t fit.

    So I decided: no more themes. Instead, I’m opening Poeaxtry up to open‑theme quarterly magazines. I was already planning a Quarterly & this fits the bill.


    Any suggestions on names? Guesses welcome!

    This change isn’t a retreat. It’s expansion. By removing themes, the door stays open wider for more voices, more art, more perspectives. By increasing frequency, I can amplify more people across time.

    What’s Changing: The New Quarterly Model

    Open‑theme submission calls:
    poetry, prose, art,or essays


    rights stay with creators:
    you keep your work. Poeaxtry curates and publishes but does not claim ownership or restrict distribution.
    Contributor bios, links, and photos welcome!

    Free ads space to minority‑owned shops, indie authors, small businesses to support community visibility.

    Digital magazine format means no forced downloads
    Eliminates 4 bulky PDFs a year.
    Always Viewable online
    Readers & Contributors now can share by link

    2026 Quarterly Schedule

    (Submission + Publication Dates may change slightly!)

    Q1 2026 (First Edition)

    Taking submissions: now– Feb 12, 2026

    Launch: Mar 8–15, 2026

    Q2 2026 (Second Edition)

    Taking submissions: March 9-May 5th

    Launch: Jun 5–12, 2026

    Q3 2026 (Third Edition)

    Taking submissions:Jun 5 – Aug 5, 2026

    Sep 5–12, 2026

    Q4 2026 (Fourth Edition)

    Taking submissions: Sep 5 – Oct 31, 2026

    Launch: Dec 5–12, 2026

    Note: The first edition will include existing submissions from the original themed collabs. It will also include any new open-theme submissions received during the submission window. Future editions will be fully open‑theme. The last quarter is stretched out because of holidays, birthdays, and death days.

    What This Means for Contributors & Community

    You’re free to send your work when you feel ready. This includes poetry, art, essays, and prose, just like before, just no need to match a theme. The spotlights from the website will be shared in the quarterly as well. The magazine lives online, shareable by link. More frequent releases = more opportunities for visibility, community building, connection.

    What Happens to the Original Themed submissions?

    Their submitted work will be included in the first quarterly edition as long as they consent.

    No more waiting.
    Just art, voices, visions.

    Your Voice Matters, Always

    Poeaxtry was born from a belief that the best art comes from the darkest places. That minority voices of every difference have stories and voices that matter. Lastly, to build a community for all of us to share our creations with each other and the world.

    This shift isn’t a change of heart, it’s evolution. As the world shifts, as art shifts, as voices shift, we must too…

    Shift.

    If you’re a minority artist, an ally writer, a survivor turned storyteller. Send in your voices or visions to Poeaxtryspoetryprism@gmail.com or submit this form.

    Small business owners, entrepreneurs, indie-creatives, communities, etc. send your ads to the above email or form as well!

    To have a Spotlight post on the website fill out this form or email Poeaxtry@gmail.com
    To review ebooks and other digital items in exchange for honest reviews, use this form

    Thank you for being here. Let’s start building community.

    Axton N. O. Mitchell

  • The Spill Volume 10-

    The Spill Volume 10-

    WIP to Fire!

    I’ve been sitting with two new works that each bite a little deeper than usual. I’m knee-deep in human monster imagery, hallucinations on pages, and the smut and horror that cut both ways. You know me, I wanted to open the door a little wider. So I’m writing a body type horror that lives in our daily habits. It relates to simple acts like unwrapping a straw. It includes the tear of opening a ketchup packet and even the crack of a water bottle seal. I’ve been calling this new project “I Wonder.” I noticed how often the mundane is one blink away from becoming brutal.

    If you know me, you know I love splatter-punk and horror gore. It felt right to try my hand at a different kind of poetic violence. Some grow out of the everyday rituals we never think twice about. Others are manifested by our own misery and deprivation.

    It’s time to bring readers into the process.

    Beta Readers, ARC Readers, and Street Team Sign Ups

    I’m building three small but mighty teams. Each has a clear role, clear expectations, and a few thank-you bonuses from me.

    If you want in:

    Email me at poeaxtry@gmail.com, or fill out the form(s) linked in this post. You can pick more than one or just one, whatever fits your schedule.

    Beta Readers

    You get the raw draft, the crooked edges, the parts still dripping. You tell me what stumbles, what hits, what confuses, what claws at you in the right way.

    You get:

    • Early access to the rough manuscript

    • A digital finished copy upon release

    • Your name in the digital acknowledgments

    • A private PDF of cut pieces, alternate lines, or deleted stanzas, exclusive to beta members

    ARC Readers

    You get the polished version right before launch. Your main task is simple, read and leave an honest review on at least one platform.

    You get:

    • Final digital copy

    • Your name listed as an early reviewer

    • Access to promo graphics you can share if you want

    • Optional Q and A email with me after launch

    Street Team

    You help amplify. Sharing posts, boosting drops, nudging other readers. Low pressure, high impact. You’ll make posts prior to book launch & also post launch.

    You get:

    • Sneak peek excerpts

    • Street team only wallpapers or digital art

    • Name in the digital acknowledgments

    • The chance to win a physical gift for outstanding team players.

    If you want to be part of these groups, email me or complete the sign-up form. I’m keeping it simple.

    More about the WIP

    This piece is the heart of what I’m writing now. It blends hallucination, romance, rot, body-electricity, and all the strange cycles we call connection. Think sensory overload, think whispered illusions, think those little narrative pages where reality slips sideways. The full chapbook is coming along, poem by poem, story by story, and monster by monster.

    Open Collabs

    Voices for the Voiceless:

    Voices for the voiceless collab for community involvement

    The Joy They can’t Erase :

    rainbow background mountains black font QR code COllab Announcment

    Both community collaborations are getting extended timelines so the full emotional feel can land. No rush. Just creation.

    Free Minority Manuscript Publishing Spot

    I’m keeping one slot open at all times for a minority creator who needs their manuscript brought to life. First come, first served. No cost, no gate keeping, just support. We currently don’t charge for publishing at all and do not offer it outside this spot.

    Feel free to email me @ poeaxtry@gmail.com and I’ll reply with the details.

    Facebook Giveaway

    When the page hits 1k followers, I’m giving away:

    • All 9 digital collections to the grand prize winner

    • Three runner ups get one mystery digital collection each

    Four winners total.

    Details on Facebook, but I’ll announce it here when we’re close. Instagram & other socials get the same giveaway when they reach 1k. More for higher amounts as well!

    links portfolio

    poem

    Don’t forget to subscribe here for Sub only FOREVER discounts!

  • The Blackout Poem I Never Thought I’d Make 

    The Blackout Poem I Never Thought I’d Make 

    I didn’t think blackout poems were for me. I’ve never considered myself a visual artist, not in the least bit. I wasn’t sure I had the eye for it. Then I saw this comment, before work tonight, and something clicked.

    It was a public comment on my Facebook, under a WordPress post I’d shared. I wrote the post on a topic that I feel strongly about: that I’m not “LGBT without the T.”

    The man who commented wasn’t a follower. He was just some creep who had something cruel to say, like people often do when they’re not being watched. Sending in the comment and, blocking me this afternoon while I was asleep for work.

    And before I could even reply. I don’t delete comments, and I usually kill with kind snark. But this time, I made him into forever art.

    I blacked out the rest.

    And what was left.. well that is the art.

    I didn’t expect to like this process. I didn’t expect to feel like I could even do it.

    Now I have and, it feels like something I’ll keep doing.

    There’s something quiet and satisfying about revealing the truth that was already buried in the noise.

    Hate comment from Chris “you can’t remove the t from pretending either…”
    My first thought is let’s make it pretty
    The comment turned into art says “you can’t remove being yourself”
    The art Chris helped me make

    Links Ko-fi a song?

  • HEXON PIRATES™: A Curse for Thieves, A Blessing for the True

    HEXON PIRATES™: A Curse for Thieves, A Blessing for the True

    🧿 HEXON PIRATES™

    and anyone who lies their way into free things without holding up their end.

    This work is protected. Not just by law. Not just by copyright. But by the kind of energy you don’t wanna test.

    If you received any item for review, you agreed to leave a review. If you downloaded it for free, or received it free, you were trusted to honor that gift. If you bought it, you supported a living, breathing creator, and I thank you.

    But if you:

    • Lied to get a free copy and never reviewed it

    • Forwarded it to friends without permission

    • Uploaded it to some free-for-all site

    • Took screenshots or pages and gave them away

    • Tried to “share the love” without sharing the credit

    Then congratulations!!! 🎊 you’ve activated the HEXON PIRATES™ clause.

    You’ve chosen to steal from someone who puts protections into every line. This isn’t just art. This is spellwork. Bloodwork. Boundary.

    You’ve crossed it.

    🕯️ What happens next is not mine to decide. It’s already been decided. 🕯️

    So go ahead. Eat the rich. But don’t come for the little indie poet.

    Not unless you’re ready to feel what gets thrown back.

    Links poem

  • The Fire Still Burns, Stonewall Was a Riot

    The Fire Still Burns, Stonewall Was a Riot

    They Threw Bricks!

    Today marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

    Not a party.

    Not a parade.

    Not your corporate-backed, rainbow-branded nonsense.

    A riot.

    A breaking point.

    A sacred rupture in the silence forced on queer people for generations.

    With Nothing Left to Lose

    June 28, 1969

    They fought back.

    Black and brown trans women, drag queens, queers with nothing left to lose.

    They threw bricks because nobody would hand them dignity.

    They lit fires because we were dying quietly.

    They chose noise over erasure.

    Marsha.

    Sylvia.

    Stormé.

    Countless others whose names we never got to learn because this country didn’t think we needed to know them.

    We carry them.

    We carry their chaos, their refusal, their brilliant, protective rage.

    We carry it when we come out.

    We carry it when we take up space.

    We carry it when we live anyway.

    Pride isn’t just a celebration. It’s a warding spell.

    A reclamation.

    A reminder that we never asked to be beaten into silence

    and we will not go back to whispering.

    For me, Pride is survival.

    It’s my middle finger to a world that tried to bury me in shame.

    It’s the bruise that turned into a banner.

    It’s my queerness as spell work, as scream, as soft altar.

    So today, I remember.

    Today, I say thank you.

    And today, I rage, beautifully, queerly, loudly.

    We are not done.

    We are not docile.

    We are not ashamed.

    And we are not going anywhere.

    Happy Pride, my sacred rebels.

    Keep the fire lit.

    Links Poem history jordan

  • Submission Calls for Poetry, Essays, Art & Prose by Marginalized Voices

    Submission Calls for Poetry, Essays, Art & Prose by Marginalized Voices

    Open calls for poems, essays, art, and prose: Voices for the Voiceless focuses on minority experiences since the 2025 US inauguration (deadline Dec 12, 2025). The Joy They Cannot Erase celebrates trans, gnc, and intersex voices (deadline TBD). Submit to poaxtry@gmail.com

    red rose background black font qr code collab announcment
    rainbow background mountains black font QR code COllab Announcment

    Links Portfolio

  • “Yesterday” Poem of the Past and Memory by Axton N. O. Mitchell

    “Yesterday” Poem of the Past and Memory by Axton N. O. Mitchell

    “Yesterday”

    A 2025 Original poem by Axton N.O. Mitchell

    I found my old notebook yesterday

    man I knew I should have throw it away.

    reading over the words I’d only written and never say

    somethings they never change

    a gut punch from the past hitting me full blast

    each and every emotion

    I feel as if the day I wrote them was

    yesterday

    thinking about the fact that I know not one of these people anymore

    is so surreal it brings me

    chills

    it is a different thrill

    I’m sure you don’t get this but

    those who know will

    and the guardian does

    Memo from the Author:

    Stay tethered.

    More stories and voices will come.

    This is only the beginning.

    Axton Mitchell's poem yesterday on a ripped tan background written in black and red text

    Links