Former Flame Fridays - David Milley
1/31/25
You were featured in volume 777, what has happened since?
It's been about a month now. I've written two new poems and another bit of memoir. Two more of my poems have appeared, one online and one in print.
Moment of the Moon I do not much regard the moon. Some nights, I look up, and pause to note if it is full or gone, or try to tell first phase from third. I make my way by starlight, happy in the dark. My love knows every moment of the moon. He tells, before I ask, how many nights will pass until it's time to reap. His moon instructs him when to work, to play, to rest. This night, full moon glows behind his head. Its cold light drapes my beard, my hair, my eyes. I feel its glamour reflected in my gaze. In the sky behind me, nothing but night. Strong hands warm my back. In his eyes I trace all the galaxies of stars shining on his face.
What/who inspired Moment of the Moon? How does it fit into your style/body of work?
Many of my verses arise from life spent with my husband. Lately, I've been recalling our early years together, many nights spent together under the moon and stars.
Why Troublemaker Firestarter? What compels you to submit your work? Why be a writer at the end of the world?
When I started writing life-affirming queer poetry fifty years ago, I might as well have been writing at the end of the world. Gay magazines were the only publications that would print my work, and they were scarce. Since then, the literary world has become more accepting -- but there is still a great deal of work to be done. Queer journals are essential to pushing forward. Managing a queer publication is radical act that deserves respect. I'm grateful for Troublemaker Firestarter's support and hope my work supports you in turn.
Who are your current favorite writers?
Elizabeth Bishop, Jericho Brown, W.H. Auden, Constantine Cavafy, Edna St. Vincent Millay, William Carlos Williams. Whitman and Baldwin and Crane and Ginsburg, naturally.
Just finished reading Christian Cooper's excellent memoir!
Are you a troublemaker, a firestarter, a heartbreaker, a lucky duck, a devil, a terror, or sad and horny?
Definitely a troublemaker and a lucky duck. I've known people who thought me a devil; they were wrong.
Where can people find you?
At my best:
https://davidmilley.com
At my worst? In the back yard, pacing.
What would you want the lovely readers of Substack to do?
Remember my name, read what I write.