Be True John Tessitore

John reads “The Potter,” a poem from his collection The Americans. He also discusses hidden (and not so hidden) labor, caretakers forgotten, and wishes everyone a happy Mother’s Day.
John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com

John reads the “Marsyas” section of his poem/chapbook We Are Becoming Unbound. He also discusses the importance of civil disobedience, the virtues of non-violent protest, and satyrs who can rock.
John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
Threads: @jtessitorewriter 


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com

John reads his poem "Renaissance," from his chapbook Body Songs. He also discusses the blah blah of literature, the honesty of rock and roll, and the number one reason why we write.
John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
Threads: @jtessitorewriter 


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com

John reads from his work-in-progress about the resurgence of old, male, monied American power.
The age of Aquarius is a footnote
to our defeat, the hearts and minds
of a timid people afraid to doubt
too long in mournful night, afraid
to be judged before the next battle,
always girding to avoid the struggle
of darkness and light, the lonely
soul in mournful night, the calling
cry a wail, then a muster.

They choose
the slaughter
of innocents
to a levelling.

They chose power.

My people prefer the waste of war.

John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
Threads: @jtessitorewriter 


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com

John reads his poem "Niches," from his chapbook All the Lonely American Roads. He also discusses immigration, generational change and evolution, and finding your place in a country as big as America.
John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
Threads: @jtessitorewriter 


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com

John reads his poem "Arcturus," originally published in Duck Head Journal. He also discusses lunar eclipses, the insignificance of many day-to-day cares, and the benefits of feeling small.
John Tessitore has been a journalist and biographer. He has taught history and literature at colleges around Boston and directed national policy studies on education and civil justice. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. His poems have appeared in a variety of books and journals. In each episode of Be True, he reads and discusses one of his published poems.
www.johntessitore.com
Twitter: @JohnTessitore2
Instagram: @jtessitorewriter
TikTok: @Jtessitorewriter
Facebook: JohnTessitore, Writer
Threads: @jtessitorewriter 


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com