Ryan Walker

Felt worthy enough to share. Trust the process.

Today, I received the 2025 edition of Flights Literary Magazine which includes my poem Americano and Seventeen, one of four companion essays to the poem. Every publication is an honor, but holding your work in print is a moment to savor.

Americano and the four companion essays are four scenes of self-discovery over 32 years. Code switching is something I love to explore in my writing, and Seventeen is about language as a great connector. As the speaker learns a new language, they tap into a deeper part of themselves.

This chaotic song about fish swimming for God will always be special to me and the boy who so delicately trilled his “R”s. Thank you to Department of English and the Flights team, including , , and .morean, for seeing these pieces and giving them a home.

📕Cover art by

Last night, I read a new essay titled “Mesopredator” for . It’s about q***r bodies, the Midwest, politics, and raccoons. What a way to kick off the day after Pride month alongside a brilliant group of readers: .abromowitz & Jenny Fran Davis. We march on, as we always do.

Sleeve styling courtesy of , and first 📸 by .