Jessica Lee McMillan

@jessicaleemcmillan

Poet, civil servant, music nerd | CV2, Malahat Review, QWERTY, ROOM, Crab Creek Review, The New Quarterly & others. jessicaleemcmillan.com 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 (Pinhole Poetry)

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Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· 14d

Michael e. Casteels has outdone himself with STUMPT Ninth and accompanying treasures. I’m very proud to have a micro-poem within its pages. Order an issue or chap from Puddles of Sky Press and have an anaolg summer. #Chapbooks #Micropress www.puddlesofskypress.com/index.html/

White mailer envelope with many Canadian stamps, a comic book of collages (The Raw Id Kid issue 2, the second issue of his aesemic, cubist Western, hand-collaged by Michael e. Casteels) and hand-made micro-chapbooks (some in small envelopes) with stamped text, an art card with assembled photos arranged together on a wooden desk.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· 16d

Grateful for @kevinspenst.bsky.social's “Chuffed about Chapbooks” in subTerrain💚 In #103, he reviews my chapbook @pinholepoetry.bsky.social as “big concept poetry” that “has its foot in the door of our everyday sensorial reality”. A true aim of mine (and to review more #CanLit)! www.subterrain.ca

Photo of subTerrain, Issue #103. Cover design has light beige background and geometric illustration--centred-- in faded blue, yellow, green, purple, with two abstract faces facing opposite directions.

subTerrain Magazine link: https://www.subterrain.ca/

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· 21d

Join us for the launch of Jaeyun Yoo's @jaeyunwrites.bsky.social chapbook “when a country teaches you” along with Robin Susanto @robin-susanto.bsky.social, Lauren Peat and host Christina Shah @christinashah.bsky.social August 15 (Sat) 5pm @ DALINA 687 Main St. Vancouver

Event poster with pale blue, grey & cobalt hues and central, monochromatic illustration of women crouched in a meadow.

Text:

HOSTED BY: Christina Shah
GUEST READERS: Jessica Lee McMillan, Lauren Peat, Robin Susanto

August 15 (Sat) 5pm
DALINA Main St.
687 Main St
Vancouver

QR code for RSVP

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· 27d

“In It” from Jeff Blackman’s chapbook In The Briny via Puddles of Sky Press for #smallpoemsunday @jeffblackman.bsky.social www.puddlesofskypress.com/index.html/

In It

Honestly
I want less to do
with my body

but the body
has a poem
I want

(poem is rubber stamped on beige, toothy paper).

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jul 12

Inspired by @raoulfernandes.bsky.social another rain poem for #SmallPoemSunday by #Rolli rollistuff.com/wp-content/u...

Sketch of man on bend in rain with poem under:

Central Park, 9 a.m.

Dear Diary:
In the green of spring
and the rain
(of a sudden)

the watercolor walkers running
for cover

one man lay down
his green brief-
case

stretched
on a bench

his tongue thrust
out now

and tasted the rain

- Rolli

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jul 7

I love wandering the Alouette watershed while kiddo is at horsecamp. Good for the soul to return to these ancient rocks in the middle of the river. I forgot my poetry & notebook. I just sat, listened, dipped my feet, with no book, no scrolling. Nothing can capture that blessed feeling.

Still Alouette River with large rock on right.

Exposed rock and still water with tall trees lining river basin.

Smoothed stone overlooking moving river and fallen tree with roots exposed.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jun 27

Andrew French will launch their Pinhole Poetry chapbook TONIGHT at Cross & Crows Books (on The Drive) in Vancouver with guests Aidan Chafe, Lauren Peat and Natalie Lim! @allegorically.bsky.social @pinholepoetry.bsky.social

Event poster with ivory background, curvilinear border with simple flower illustrations on each side of chapbook cover. Chapbook, “Fists You’ve Called Home” is image of beaten-up sideboards of hockey rink.

TEXT:

CHAPBOOK LAUNCH
"FISTS YOU'VE CALLED HOME"
BY ANDREW FRENCH

FEATURING GUEST READERS
AIDAN CHAFE, LAUREN PEAT, AND NATALIE LIM

7PM, JUNE 27TH
CROSS & CROWS BOOKS
2836 COMMERCIAL DRIVE, VANCOUVER

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jun 21

One of my many dad poems. Published in The Malahat Review, Issue 228

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jun 15

This Friday, June 19th! Join us for another epic Open Mic at Moodswing! Sign up starts at 5:30pm, starts at 6! Feature poet Aaron Hunter Hosted by Jenny Garcha & presented by SAPP zine See you there!

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Jun 13

See you there in a few hours!

Event poster with a simple, cream background and illustrated swirling patterns. Hosts photos are near centre of poster: Jónína Kirton on the left and Cecily Nicholson on the right.

TEXT:

reading circle
Saturday June 13, 1-3pm

hosted by
Jónína Kirton &
Cecily Nicholson

Bring a poem to share or just drop in to listen and visit.
Free, everyone is welcome.
Masks are encouraged.
Books available for purchase.

Wildfires Literary Lounge
712A 12th Street, New

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· May 23

Quote with a fictional band that is not Spinal Tap. #MusicChallenge

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· May 4

Happy May the 4th. A little poem from my new chapbook Shine Like a Dime in the Dirt under the Moon via @pinholepoetry.bsky.social

THE LIGHTING SHOWROOM AT IKEA

we don’t have the pendant
that looks like the Death Star
or smart lighting solutions
that bleach the retinas
like the time I looked up
at the glaring orbs
and a migraine robbed me
of vision—unable to drive home—
my eyes, a galaxy of suns

there are things we are meant to see
in the half-light
—given the sun or bulb’s
inevitable fate—
like Vancouver’s greyscape
or the nectar of falling day
—we are meant to see dark corners
that gesture to invisible life

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· May 1

From Wayson Choy’s novel The Jade Peony. #WaysonChoy #AsianHeritageMonth library.torontomu.ca/asianheritag...

Excerpt from Wayson Choy’s novel The Jade Peony pg 158

If visions and good sense didn't combine to make us pay atten-
tion, what then was the meaning of anything? Grandmama would
have understood perfectly: signs and portents were her lifeblood.
She had always said t o her friend Mrs. Lim, "You only need to pay
attention."

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 29

Shore by Thomas Doerksen in today’s Poetry Pause @canadianpoets.bsky.social poets.ca/shore-by-tho...

Shore
By Thomas Doerksen

What did I want from this short life.

In the middle now.

I have loved the sea when she is angry.

Always I have run her shore when she is angry.

What did I want.

From poetry.

From philosophy’s premature decisions.

See how things go silent on the shore.

I loved you I loved you, sea.

I will die.

I will leave only a few scraps.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 28

Now playing Lowell George’s one and only gem on an album. #LowellGeorge #MusicSky The opening track, “What Do You Want the Girl to Do” was written by Allen Toussaint. youtu.be/_M13EphSl3I

Photo of Lowell George’s “thanks I’ll eat here” album cover resting on reflective dust cover of turntable in motion. Cover art is by Neon Park-and features George in a painterly style with the background, a spoof of Edouard Manet’s The Luncheon n the Grass with central figures replaced by Bob Dylan and Fidel Castro

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 19

This Friday, April 24, 2026 at Anvil Centre, celebrate my chapbook launch and listen to poems from most awesome poets @janetkvammen.bsky.social @allegorically.bsky.social @daletracy.bsky.social @winstonle.bsky.social

Blue poster with title Chapbook Launch in capitals and a picture of author’s chapbook on the right (a cyanotype of leaves and a dime) and the following text:

Royal City Literary Arts Society / Pinhole Poetry

CHAPBOOKLAUNCH

Jessica Lee McMillan
will read from her new chapbook

SHINE LIKE A DIME
IN THE DIRT
UNDER THE MOON

at the Anvil Centre Studio 417, 4th floor
777 Columbia St,
New Westminster, BC
APRIL 24, 2026 6:30 - 8PM

with special guests Janet Kvammen,
Aidan Chafe, Dale Tracy & Winston Lê

Copies will be for sale at the event

The organizers acknowledge the League of Canadian Poets, the Canada Council for the Arts & the Department of Canadian Heritage for their financial support. poets.ca

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 19

Hazel’s favourite sounding word is “zugzwang”--also because she often blocks us from moving with her long body. Her writing advice includes multiple visits to the patio & maple worship. She also suggested I clean the filthy mat under her feet. @cv2magazine.bsky.social #2DayContest2026

Shepherd-Husky cross lying on tiled patio—feet on mat-- next to Japanese maple in blue pot.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 18

Photo of office with wooden desk with burnt orange chair sandwiched between bookshelf and teak cabinet. Wall has photos, framed art, plaque, calendar, etc. Desk has Apple computer (with word program hidden!) paper, glasses, pen, book, recipe card, fizzy water.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 18

Ready for the 10 words to drop for CV2’s 2-Day Poem Contest in about 90 minutes. @cv2magazine.bsky.social #Poetry

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 17

Pre-orders picked up from Wildfires Bookshop @wildfiresbookshop.bsky.social

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 13

I’m giddy to be included in Qwerty's Pearl: The Best of Qwerty Magazine—Part II, 2011-2025 with all these magnificent poets, artists, and writers. Thanks so much to @qwertymagazine.bsky.social and UNB. Print issue here: www.qwertymagazine.ca/product/qwer...

Cover for Qwerty Pearl: The Best of Qwerty Magazine—Part II, 2011-2025 Edited by Jamie Kitts et al. resting on wooden desk. Cover is a patchwork of covers in an amber sepia filter.

Back of Qwerty Pearl: The Best of Qwerty Magazine—Part II, 2011-2025. Contributors names in black frame:

FOREWORD BY BRITT MACKENZIE-DALE

ANNE BALDO
KATE BARSS
OLIVIA DREISINGER
JOEL ROBERT FERGUSON
CELINE GORHAM
YUME KITASEI
SHAYLEN MAXWELL
RYAN OET
CATHERINE OWEN
C.R. RESETARITS
SHAUN ROBINSON
MALLORY TATER
MW
EMMA RHODES
LAURA BARKER
WILL CORDEIRO
BENJAMIN C. DUGDALE
KATH G
LINDA JUDGE
MATTHEW LANDRUM
JESSICA LEE MCMILLAN
PATRICK O'REILLY
MELANIE PIERLUIGI
ROBIN RICHARDSON
OBI TASWELL
OLIVIA THOMSON
WITH GAIA RAJAN
AND REBECCA SALAZAR

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 4

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 3

The League of Canadian Poets’ @canadianpoets.bsky.social theme for National Poetry Month this year is Land & Sea. More here: poets.ca/offerings/pr...

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 3

One of my many odes to Stanley Park. Thanks to @canadianpoets.bsky.social for featuring me in today’s Poetry Pause. #PoetryofPlace #Vancouver

August 25, Third Beach
by Jessica McMillan

the peninsula spins evergreen
aroma braiding Pacific
current and mountain breeze
dressing down to cherry trees
stretched in whitewashed sky
framing the cliff, their limbs
the saviours of naked space.
the forest in the city,
cool with ancient boulders
anchors cedar heavens
dangling sunned silk
dusted with leaf dander.
from bedrock to soil alights
dandelion seeds, filaments of ecstasy
flicker among White Cabbage wings
and tiers of bleeding hearts
drip petal fat, soapy as the sea-foam
at the shore sluicing across waves
of sienna green, belly rolling
crab exoskeletons back up to mossy sandstone.
seagulls echo the granite seawall
rimmed with weekend bathers warming skin
and you are on my hip in a bucket hat
collecting a minute of mirth,
making seaweed bracelets
in the name of today, which is praise
for all we truly need.

Copyright © Jessica McMillan

Jessica Lee McMillan (she/her) is a poet and civil servant with recent/forthcoming work in CV2, The Malahat Review, Canadian Literature and others. Her chapbook Shine Like a Dime in the Dirt under the Moon is now available via Pinhole Poetry. Jessica lives in New Westminster, BC with her little family and large dog. www.jessicaleemcmillan.com

poetry pause

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Apr 1

My chapbook is now out with Pinhole Poetry! @pinholepoetry.bsky.social To Order: pinholepoetry.ca/shoppoetry/

Photo of chapbook. White frame with cyanotype centre image. Image gas white sphere/coin and “ghost impressions” of fallen cedar leaves, clover and flowers.

Book title is: shine like a dime in the dirt under the moon
by Jessica Lee McMillan

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Mar 29

EXTENDED to April 31st, the 2026 MURIEL’S JOURNEY POETRY PRIZE for Canadian poets. Please check submission guidelines and criteria here. Readers are especially looking for more submissions from the DTES. www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

!! DEADLINE EXTENDED !!
CANADIAN POETS - Submit your poetry to the 2026 MURIEL’S JOURNEY POETRY PRIZE
First Prize $100
First Prize for a poem by a Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) contributor $100
Second Prize $50
Fortuna's Choice Prize $35 for a poem selected at random from the longlist of general entry poems
All winners and honorary mentions will be published in Fire In The Heart, the Muriel’s Journey Chapbook for 2026.
CRITERIA:
Content: Should meet one or more of these criteria:
Speak your mind and let the world know what you think, look at your subject in an unexpected way, take a risk in your composition, be frank and unreserved! If the poem has good potential for being performed, all the better.
Why these criteria? Because that’s Muriel. She was not only a poet but a
Other criteria (not optional!):
• Open to Canadians or people living in Canada
• Length of the poem: 5 lines or more
• Up to 5 poems, with an overall length for all poems together not to exceed 100 lines
DEADLINE: April 30, 2026
Submit the poem to murielsjourney@gmail.com

Image: Cover of the 2025 chapbook: Purple-hued fist bursting through burning building and surrounding buildings glowing orange and red.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Mar 26

Treasures from above/ground press! @robmclennan.bsky.social

Open Canada Post mailer box with letter resting on lid, letterhead has "rob mclennan” Brown box has dozens of chapbooks and is divided in two sides. On one chap facing down bears above/ground press address, the other chap is face up with an orange cover and a picture of a bearded monkey. Box is resting on a burnt orange chair.

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Mar 24

One week left to submit to our Waterways-themed issue! We’re accepting submissions for cover art, poetry, art, photography, short form, or hybrid pieces. #sappzine #newwest sappzine.ca/submit-your-...

Poster with painterly, meandering river in dark blue over light blue background. Text: SAPP

One week left to submit to
Issue 4: Waterways

Submit by March 31st

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Mar 22

Got my 3rd cup (Sundays only) and ready to join the next #TWSsprints

Mug shaped like deadly nightshade bottle from Tim Burton‘s Nightmare before Christmas (grey, textured and tapered on top). Book with pen in the background and round soft lamp

Jessica Lee McMillan@jessicaleemcmillan· Mar 21

“In a Fit of Sadness” by Vaishnavi Pusapati from B O D Y Happy #WorldPoetryDay! www.bodyliterature.com/2025/06/24/v...