Welcome to The Twice Curated Poetry of Mark Kessinger
Mark is a seasoned poet whose decades of writing, teaching, publishing, and lived experience have shaped a distinctive vision of poetry as thought-experiment. He champions the art form as an approachable tool of articulation that empowers everyone. His philosophy is captured in his own words: “If there is a shortcut to wisdom, it is poetry.” and “Poetry is the DNA of human thought.”
Professional Archive
Click a month below to discover hints of the poems and the poet’s own reflections.
Visuals created using AI & I Generation — a poetic collaboration with machine learning.
About the Titles
These poems are not the stuff they fed you in school. And don’t judge them by the titles — those are portals, often returned to, for added insight.
The poems slip easily from the familiar into the unexpected, sharing discoveries, side by side with the author, as found on less traveled paths. Some are brief flashes. They linger, like Wonderland’s left-over enchantment. The titles may hint at one thing, but open into something else entirely — winking at you, but only once the poem has been shared. That’s the invitation.
Reading them is like taking Peter Pan’s hand — to fly, to soar, even to fall, through storms, but always landing safely. Linger where you like, and leave with what you wish. No one goes empty-handed.
INTRODUCTION
HELLO, and welcome to The Twice Curated Poetry of Mark Kessinger.
This is where I share a collection of my published poems. They’re called curated because they were chosen by others—editors, publishers, anthologists, judges, etc. This offers you confidence that the works presented here are of a certain quality. They are poems that you might be able to find elsewhere on the net, if you spend the time to track them down. I certainly encourage support of all the resources that helped encourage me.
These are also curated by myself. I go beyond selecting them for the works that they are, but also for the story they tell, or the insight they offer to poetry and writing in general. In this way, they are Twice Curated.
As I present these poems in postings, I add to each the information I might offer up at a reading. This can be background, technique, referents, or any introduction to the piece which may be helpful in enhancing the enjoyment of it. Sort of putting you in the front row of a live reading.
I am a poet living through—and writing about—many of the same events of your lifetime. This is not purple prose, hearts and flowers, arcane sonnets, or the esoteric ramblings of the obscure. It is not Ivy League elitism. It is real articulation of life that will touch on all things—musings of the heart, soul, body, and mind.
The poems themselves are wide-ranging in subject, voice, and tone. They come from thought experiments, and are of a contemporary style, most casual in tone—meaning very accessible. A few may be challenging. Some may not be your cup of tea. But most will be flavorful adventures.
If you are not yet a fan of poetry—try this.
If you are a student of poetry—this is good stuff (with X-ray glasses included!).
If you are an advanced reader or poet yourself—this is quality workshop, and, I hope, a pace car.
For your entertainment, enlightenment, and encouragement, I offer these postings, with more to come.
Each posting contains one previously published poem, and a fresh introduction, available only here.
A Few Quotes to Wet Your Imaginative Whistle:
“Poetry is the shorthand of civilization.” —msk
“Poetry is the DNA of human thought.” —msk
“If there is a short cut to wisdom, it is poetry.” —msk
“Poetry is a thought experiment set to music.” —msk
⚠️ WARNING:
Beyond this point
emotions will be touched
minds set ablaze…
BIO
Mark Kessinger was born in Huntington WV, attended college at Cleveland State University, lived in Oklahoma City, and has resided in Houston TX since 1984. He is a two-year recipient of a creative writing full scholarship from CSU, a founding member and past president of the Houston Council of Writers, and former editor of Voices from Big Thicket. His poetry has appeared in many publications and four anthologies. He had read his works at several festivals by invitation. He is the author of two collections of poetry.
Mark Kessinger is a civic minded, broadly experienced poet and instructor with a proven talent in the literary landscape. He has deep ties to Houston and the communication skills capable of meeting the rich cultural diversity of a large metropolis such as Houston.
His skills and experience in readings, workshops, teaching, and publishing can be matched with a background in public speaking, counseling, outreach and mediation to reach out and help at risk youth gain self-worth, confidence and better outcomes thru writing skills.
Published poet with university training in communication.
Experienced instructor in creative writing at adult education levels.
Diverse employment experience in community outreach, counseling.
Extensive mediation and advocacy experience.
Public speaking skills on multiple topics to wide range of audiences.
Studied under twice Pulitzer nominated poet Bruce Weigl.
Studied under Poets Alberta Turner and Leonard Trawick.
Attended Cleveland State University on full creative writing scholarship.
Won open local competition for volume of poetry entitled: Exploded View.
Won international open competition for volume of poetry entitled: The Book of Joe.
Taught adult writing classes at Lonestar Kingwood.
Edited Voices from big Thicket at Lonestar Kingwood.
Served as founding member and past president of Houston Council of Writers.
Guest presenter at Fort Concho Writer’s Conference.
Guest presenter at mediation training for Houston Police Department.
Organized writing workshop with local poets Gary Rosin and Dr. John Gorman.
Selected as juried poet by Houston Poetry Fest.
Published poet in open selection through many literary magazines.
Selected for one National and three regional anthologies.
Oh, and lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time riding trains.
PUBLISHED TITLES APPEARING IN TWICE CURATED POETRY
Musery a place to nurse your Muse.
Feel like a poet. Be in your moment.
A curated series of poetic artifacts—limited-run mugs that look great on your desk, feel good in your hand, and offer a strong flavor of inspiration. Each design is a timeless icon, offered only for a short time, and created with a poet’s eye for detail.
