Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Laurie McKay and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a retired school administrator, a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, auntie, cousin, sister, and dog owner. I travel, have retirement projects, work on behalf of a couple of non-profits, garden, go on walks in the woods, swim when I get the chance, and mostly sit in my garden and dream.

Poetry allows me to play with my dreams and craft perceptions, illusions, thoughts, feelings and connections into tangible offerings.

This year, I will begin the poetry marathon while volunteering at the Cadillac Area YMCA festival of races in Cadillac, MI. Ironically, there is not a Marathon in the festival. Also, I am not a runner.

A few years ago, I made the conscience decision to withdraw from social media in its entirety. This decision is one I have never regretted, although it does mean that I won’t partake in the Facebook chats and frivolity with you wonderful group of talented and inspiring writers. Around 3 in the morning, please post a picture of a penis bug for me!

Enjoy the poetry marathon. I look forward to getting to know you and reading – what I am sure to be – incredibly talented works of art.