There are many problems with social media, of course. Well, it occurs to me that once you have started looking at a topic for a spell, today’s algorithms lock you into a feedback loop.

The Internet’s feedback loop can have a negative psychological effect. It seems the basic mechanism of many psychological problems is based on feedback loops (from the past) one cannot escape (in the present). If this is being re-enacted via the Internet, whether via social media, search engine results, or even one’s computer-phone these days, this structural miasma does not bode well for us, as individuals, as families, or as a society.

I don’t know when this started. Generally, I’m still new to social media. I did not use the Internet much for a while, when our children were born in ye olden times. This said, I just don’t remember the Internet being so predictable in the 1990s. It’s news to me, so to speak.

In sum, recurring thoughts, especially negative thoughts–that loop–is the stuff of psychological problems. Social media algorithms and maybe even search-engine algorithms, thus, may lock people into unhealthy repetitive mental habits via looking at the same, same, same.

Well, the rap song, “Not Today Satan,” by younger rappers KB & Andy Mineo, is a good anti-theme to this Internet phenomena. Their song’s linked here.

As they say: Not today Satan, NAH Nah Nah NAH Nah, nah-nah-nah-NAH!

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Thank you to Enakshi of Lavender Orchids for the positive review of my new book of poems, Singing the Forge (David Robert Books 2025). She writes:

“Reading G.H. Mosson’s Singing the Forge felt like walking through the echoes of memory — personal and collective — where ‘what’s shaped us and ‘what we’ve shaped for ourselves‘ becomes both question and confession. The poems oscillate between quiet introspection and social witness, drawing their strength from observation rather than ornament. Mosson’s voice isn’t loud; it hums — the kind of hum that lingers after the song ends.”

For the full review, click here.

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Next week on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, I’m reading from my new book of poems, SINGING THE FORGE, at the My Dead Aunt’s Books Reading Series in the quirky nook of Hyattsville, Md., starting at 5pm. It’s near the D.C. Beltway, at 5132 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, Md. 20781.

Hosted by D.C. poet Sid Gold, the salon style reading features myself and poet Brandel France de Bravo as co-featured readers. As usual, the session is followed by an open mike.

Sid’s been hosting this series for more than a spell. Located in the Sohy Arts Building, depicted below, you can get there just off the D.C. Beltway by College Park, Maryland.

For a recent review of SINGING THE FORGE, click here.

The reading starts at 5pm, but browsing books of course can feel timeless.

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Thank you to Jeyran Main of Review Tales for the positive review of my new book of poems, Singing the Forge (David Robert Books 2025), which Main calls “especially memorable is its capacity to mirror the reader’s own journey.” Main also notes the collection reminds readers of “how personal history and collective history are inseparably linked.”

The review concludes:

“Singing the Forge is a book to savor, cherish, and revisit, offering readers both challenge and consolation in equal measure.”

The review appears online, linked here. It’s also labelled Review No. 2218, and titled: “Singing the Forge by G.H. Mosson (Book Review #2218).”

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Thank you to Diane Donovan of Midwest Book Review for the positive review of my new book of poems, Singing the Forge (David Robert Books 2025), which she calls “immersive.”

As Donovan notes, the book takes place in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, for the most part, with stops in Oregon, Baja California, off the coast of Florida, the cliffs of Truro in Cape Cod, on Long Island beaches, and beyond. The review comments:

“Libraries seeking accessible poetry that demonstrates an especially notable ability to steep readers in the progression of life, the evolution of values surrounding it, and the advancing years will find Mosson’s work highly recommendable.”

The review appears at the California Bookshelf of Midwest Book Review (Sept. 2025) linked right here. It is the second book reviewed for September 2025.

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

If you are looking for something literary in Maryland next weekend, there is the Baltimore Book Festival, which is held in Waverly, Baltimore, Md., this year on Sat. and Sun., Sept. 13-14, 2025.

Thank you to the Baker Artist organization for having me at their table on Sunday, Sept. 14, 11:30 AM to 1 PM, featuring my new book of poems, SINGING THE FORGE. Stop by!

There’s a pretty extensive line up of authors and discussion occurring across multiple stages; for more information, some handy links are below:

Baltimore Book Festival: https://baltimorebookfest.com/

The Baker Artist table schedule: https://bakerartist.org/bookfest

Review of SINGING THE FORGE: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/…/gh…/singing-the-forge/

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Thanks for the thoughtful review of my new book of poems, Singing the Forge, by the Kirkus Review.

As they noted, “Mosson’s a poet’s poet whose craft is finely honed.” The review from June 2025 is linked here.

The book is out now, see here.

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

Big thanks to The Broadkill Review of Delaware, under the wings of new editors, for including my poem, “Hiding in the Theater,” in the Summer / Fall issue this year. It has been a fun ride writing, revising, changing back, tinkering, forgetting about, and then finishing it, over these past twenty years. As the speaker says in the poem, “Say hi in the eddy.” The poem is linked below:

https://www.broadkillreview.com/post/hiding-in-the-theater-by-g-h-mosson

I have enjoying finding five other poems accepted, then published online with BlazeVox: An Online Journal of Voice, this past spring and into the summer. It’s been a nice surprise, in terms of the feel of their vibe and the editor’s general enthusiasm for the chorus of contemporary poetry. The editor, Geoffrey Gatza, is a poet himself, also publishes BlazeVox Books. Hope to meet him someday. As he might say, “Rockets!”

These five poems are linked below, including one that I personally hold close, “Marsh Yoga”, so click here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/66627dabf7b72f0d137f876e/t/6810cfe4dc5b46064718a5e4/1745932261373/Spring+25+-+G.H.+Mosson.pdf

Not to quote us all in ascending order of importance, but as Bugs Bunny says, “that’s all folks!”

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

I am thrilled to announce the debut reading from my new book of poems, SINGING THE FORGE (2025), at The Ivy Bookstore in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday, June 8, 2025, starting at 4pm. I will be reading with poet Reggie Harris, formerly of Baltimore, now of NYC, a fine poet who, along with yours truly and an engaging diverse open-mike, should be a knock-out, kick off summer event before we get hot, hot, hot in Maryland.

About SINGING THE FORGE, this book of poems covers three decades of my work and “explores the singing of what’s shaped us and what we’ve shaped for ourselves. Through poems at times personal, plus vignettes from men and women of the past two centuries in the book’s middle section, these poems offer mirrors of becomings. Readers encounter melodies from diverse lives. Across free verse, meter, and poems of organic form, you might just see yourself.”

You can peruse more or purchase it from the IVY BOOKSTORE (Click here) or wherever books are sold.

Many thanks to the HOT L READING SERIES AND IVY for hosting this reading! The event page can be found online here and event itself here:

The Ivy Bookshop – Back Patio 5928 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21209

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com

I am excited to announce my new book of poems, Singing the Forge, from David Robert Books, out now. The typesetting was just finished in early March. Much thanks to wonderful yogi and artist, Jess Frey, for the spectacular cover, and David Robert Books of Word Tech Communications LLC (Ohio, USA) for their work and support.

• Here’s a synopsis:

Singing the Forge explores the singing of what’s shaped us and what we’ve shaped for ourselves. Through poems at times personal, plus vignettes from men and women of the past two centuries in the book’s middle section, these poems offer mirrors of becomings. Readers encounter melodies from diverse lives. Across free verse, meter, and poems of organic form, you might just see yourself.

• Here’s a cool cover:

Right now, it can be ordered via this link or through your local bookstore!

Click here for more!

Cheers,

G. H. Mosson

Maryland, USA

www.ghmosson.com