Mary C.M. Phillips's Blog

An ultra short poem from Hush of Leaves (a new poetry anthology from Wingless Dreamer Press). A reminder to observe your surroundings, pay attention to beauty, and be open to unexpected inspiration.

Wishing everyone a happy autumn! The time truly is flying by m

Sharing a bit of the past…and some news:

For most of my life, I’ve been an artist (writer, poet, musician), and I’ve always liked the feeling of creative change.

Although I’m the same person, the artist in me is in constant change. She morphs, evolves, remixes herself…and sometimes revisits the inspiration of artistic roots.

My young adult musical roots took place within NYC’s punk rock (and synth-pop) scene.

And with that said…

Back in 1987 VENUS II’s song, OH BOY, was released on Wide Angle-Twin/Tone Records. It’s a dance synth-pop song written by Cathy Harrington and performed by Cathy and me (Venus II). We played five synthesizers (all at the same time). For those interested in gear, we used Korgs (Poly61s and M1s), a Moog, a Sequential Circuits Six Trac and a Roland.

We recorded OH BOY in Minneapolis – where it made it onto the Minneapolis dance charts (twice); aided in part by DJs at First Avenue who placed it on rotation after receiving a favorable nod from Prince.

Fast forward to the present.

New Islands Records has reissued Venus II’s OH BOY. Along with the originals, there are two remixes by NYC’s legendary Justin Strauss.  The release date is September 5th, 2025 (vinyl + digital). 

Cathy Harrington and I (Mary Phillips a/k/a Mary Mac) — collectively known as VENUS II — are thrilled. And grateful for second go-arounds.

Here’s a link to download or purchase the song on vinyl or digital platforms: VENUS II OH BOY – New Islands Records

For those who want to read more about the history of Venus II — and our ties to NYC’s CBGB — here’s a website I’ve just put together: Venus II – backstory.

Anyway, thanks for reading and remember your writing can take on different forms; blessings can come in mysterious ways; and dreams can often come true (sometimes even more than once), like smatterings and spurts of joy across the entirety of our lives.

Stay positive, speak in love, and make art, xo m

My poem, There is a River, is featured today at Tiny Seed Literary Journal. Sharing here. Thanks Tiny Seed!

https://tinyseedjournal.com/2025/03/27/there-is-a-river/

Here are close ups of the poems and their poets riding the Lancaster County buses in 2025. The theme is THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Thank you poets. …

Close-Ups of The 2025 P.i.T. Poems

Looking forward to this April 20th event!

I’ll be the featured poet at Word Hive (see below).

Please join us (virtually) for an engaging evening of poetry. It’s fun, inspiring…with just a click of a button.

Mary C. M. Phillips

For many, writing is a labor of love, and being that love is eternal, perhaps our words may be divinely guided.

To all those that write and read, Happy World Poetry Day!

Wishing you all inspiration. 

[image error] Mary

This poem is included Poets of the Promise, a faith-based anthology from Local Gems Press available on Amazon.

2024 Poetry in Transit REVEAL

I’m excited to announce that two of my poems have been selected to be part of the Lancaster POETRY-IN-TRANSIT campaign. The poems will be displayed in Lancaster buses throughout 2024. I’m equally thrilled to know that commuters will get a chance to (hopefully) read my work. Thank you to Word Hive, Philadelphia Alumni Writers House at Franklin & Marshall College, and Vector Media. Poetry is alive and well in Lancaster!

You can read Sent and Foreshore Identity below – as they will appear in transit. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Peaceful Holiday Season,

Mary

Like many others, I love the scent of lavender – and grow it in my garden. I especially love fields of lavender and visited one this summer.

My poem, Lavender Offering, pays tribute to this wonderful, giving plant and is included in PLANT PEOPLE, an anthology of environmental artists, Volume 3. You can read the poem below. Please also visit the Plants and Poetry website to see all the good work they do.

Happy gardening,

Mary

Jogging in the rain seemed like the best thing to do…

Native Heartbeat was written in an environment of puddles and concrete. I’m happy that it found a dry, safe home in the pages of Bards Annual 2023.

You can read the poem below or hear me recite the spoken-word version by pressing the PLAY button.

Thank you to publisher, James P. Wagner. Thank you also to Grandfather Rock of WCWP radio for playing Native Heartbeat on Rock-n-Soul Gospel (Fridays 9 PM – 11 PM). Special thanks to Mark Phillips for his befitting composition and lovely guitar work.

All poems (c) Mary CM Phillips are available on iTunes and most streaming platforms.