Mirth

Mirth, n. joy, lightness of mind, from OE myrhðe

Subscribe to my newsletter, Mirth, to receive regular updates about my writing, including sneak-peaks of upcoming releases, new poems, and articles that deliver a behind-the-scenes look at my writing process. Mirth Newsletters are typically divided into one of three categories, corresponding to days of the week (though not all three are guaranteed to appear on any given week). On Mondays, I offer critical reflections on the poetic process with a short essay. Tune in Wednesdays to read one of my new or unpublished poems. Fridays I provide a reading (audio only) of a poem from various historical periods. Below you will find an archive of past newsletters.

Snips and Snails

The following is a sneak peek at Chapter 1 of Snips and Snails, sequel to my fairy story, Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice. The King’s Decree Above the blooming sky and wide firmament, where thin-bound air runs free and joyful; above the celestial trails, where giants wander, greeting one another as strangers on an afternoon…

by toddanderson April 29, 2026April 28, 2026

Amicis

“Don’t bother with friends,” Always struck me as poor advice, Which is why no one in their right mind Ever gives it as such, instead reserving Such sentiments for hard times, When the peel of mortality Is pulled back from our frail lives And for a moment we do not wish To see what the…

by toddanderson April 22, 2026

For Now

And now the rain comes. We saw grey clouds swiftly charge, Felt as kindred spirits do At leave-taking, When eye follows eye And each lets fall stored sorrows;When Spring melt shocksUnexpecting rivers,Now burdened with too much water,And the crested banks o’erflow. Todd Anderson (Stuff of the Rind, Sand and Sail, The Reluctant Prophet) writes the newsletter Mirth to share a…

by toddanderson April 16, 2026April 15, 2026

The Fifth Word

What shall we give to the Ocean When it calls out: “I thirst”? Who can slake parched waters? Is your bucket big enough? And at what stream will you supply Living water to satisfy His need? Todd Anderson (Stuff of the Rind, Sand and Sail, The Reluctant Prophet) writes the newsletter Mirth to share a…

by toddanderson April 3, 2026

As The Soldiers Beat Upon My Lord Mercilessly

Upon the broad and steadfast plain A quarrel gripped the gathered winds, Who boasted only they could beat And break the proud and silent ground. So, each contrived to make it howl And tore the land with awful whips, Scattering fearful sheep and goats, Savaging leaf and stalk and grain. Blow followed blow, terse as the rainThat aimless strikes both head…

by toddanderson April 2, 2026

Golgotha

Golgotha, to me, was prime real-estateFor advertisers.The highway, state-of-the-art local stoneLaid by Romans,Was broad, and all found itEasy to traverse.But they squandered their chanceAnd stumbled,Adorning the rock with crosses,Row on row,Where billboards could have been.Think of the losses!Think of the indignityDone to the communityAs we erected stalls and standsIn the looming shadowOf those gasping criminals.Tis…

by toddanderson April 1, 2026March 29, 2026

Stay of Execution

The mother of Barrabas wept When her prodigal returned. “My son, my only son,” she cried, And he, with sidelong look and brow Downcast at her unravelled state, Felt only shame to be called so. Thus Joy and Sorrow, by one door, Received whom all had cast aside, Save him, who being a faithful Son, set free, with chains, the faithless And robbed Death of…

by toddanderson March 11, 2026March 10, 2026

Spring

It is bath time for the city. We take to it like a sullen boy (Caked in grime, pockets tucked And crammed with silt and rocks) Who hears the long voice of his mother While he delights in his forest And dreads the foamy warmth ahead. Todd Anderson (Stuff of the Rind, Sand and Sail,…

by toddanderson March 4, 2026