Liz Bergstrom

@lizbergstrom

Writer in Passages North, Bennington Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Indiana Review, NYT... Queer & chronically ill. (they/them) lizbergstrom.com (PFP: Person w/ purple hair & light skin wearing a teal jacket. Header: Living, Together anthology)

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¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y lizbergstrom.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Jun 6

My family and I planted a stewartia tree in honor of our golden retriever Darcy. We buried her ashes in a small wooden box, then planted the tree on top and put a heart-shaped rock under the tree. Darcy died 10 years ago and I like to say hello to her as the tree changes each season. 💛

A golden retriever named Darcy looks at the camera while smiling with her tongue out, in a garden

A golden retriever named Darcy stands and looks upward with a happy smile that shows her tongue and teeth. She has luxurious golden feathering (longer fur) on her chest

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 28

Reposting with alt text: "This is not true, and this guy doesn't speak for me!" nymag.com/intelligence...

Asserted Rosenbaum, "Anyone who is a working writer today who sits in front of a computer, either doing longform or on deadline or at magazines, whatever the cadence of your work is, you're using AI one way or another at least in part because it is not only seductive as hell but it's really incredibly valuable."

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 19

Floret/Cafe Flora are the best! Plus Floret's neon sign:

A neon sign that says "you look radishing" against a green leafy wallpaper

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 18

Moxie trying to steal a bite of my snack cake

A calico cat tries to chomp on a snack cake

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 16

Post the best picture you have ever taken of your pet: (I took this photo 15 years ago and I'm grateful to say that Moxie and Ella are still here and purring right now)

An orange tabby cat and a calico cat cuddle together, with the orange cat partly lying on top of the calico, both cats looking extremely adorable and sleepy

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 16

For me it may have started with Uncle Beazley, the life-size Triceratops statue kids used to climb on outside the Natural History Museum in DC! (He still exists, just can't climb on him anymore)

Children climb on a large Triceratops statue

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Feb 20

I'm happy to have a poem in this new anthology from @alocasiamag.bsky.social! Available as an ebook & paperback in links below. "Maybe you were meant to be a maguey, an agave that takes thirty years to bloom in desert grasslands Your heart is intoxicating, your sweetness distilled into mezcal."

The paperback book ALOCASIA: 99 queer writers on plants and nature, edited by Sarah Clark and Ashely Adams, held up against a background of green Boston fern fronds to show the book cover with rainbow leaf veins

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Jan 30

This is a small cross stitch I improvised last year & would happily make a new/bigger design if mailing turns out to be an option!

A cross stitch on blue fabric in a wooden hoop has rainbow letters spelling the word "Resist," with a pink rose below the letters and two raised fists in dark and light skin tones above the letters

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Jan 22

Adding alt text for accessibility:

A humanoid creature with an antelope head floats on a light blue background. The creature is wearing a light orange sweater, an army green skirt (above the knee length), pale yellow tights with brown splotches on them, and tan platform sneakers. A large bloodshot eyeball peers at the creature. There is a white cloud behind the creature's head and flames near her feet. Next to the creature, a block of text says "Outlook Springs -
From the Interdimensional Press of Langston Brumbletooth - Submissions for Issue 10 - Send us your strange fiction - essays - poetry - February 15th through May 15th"

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Sep 17

With alt text:

"What are we to make of a man who called for the execution of the American president, and then was executed himself? What are we to make of an NFL that, on one hand, encourages us to "End Racism," and, on the other, urges us to commemorate an unreconstructed white supremacist? And what of the writers, the thinkers, and the pundits who cannot separate the great crime of Kirk's death from the malignancy of his public life? Can they truly be so ignorant to the words of a man they have so rushed to memorialize? I don't know. But the most telling detail in Klein's column was that, for all his praise, there was not a single word in the piece from Kirk himself.
More than a century and a half ago, this country ignored the explicit words of men who sought to raise an empire of slavery. It subsequently transformed those men into gallant knights who sought only to preserve their beloved Camelot. There was a fatigue, in certain quarters, with Reconstruction-which is to say, multiracial democracy-and a desire for reunion, to make America great again. Thus, in the late 19th century and much of the 20th, this country's most storied intellectuals transfigured hate-mongers into heroes and ignored their words-just as, right now, some are ignoring Kirk's.
Words are not violence, nor are they powerless. Burying the truth of the Confederacy, rewriting its aims and ideas, and ignoring its animating words allowed for the terrorization of the Black population, the imposition of apartheid, and the destruction of democracy. The rewriting and the ignoring were done not just by Confederates, but also by putative allies for whom the reduction of Black people to serfdom was the unfortunate price of white unity. The import of this history has never been clearer than in this moment when the hard question must be asked: If you would look away from the words of Charlie Kirk, from what else would you look away?"

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Jul 25

Moxie would like to offer her fluffy belly (she is a shorthair cat but somehow her belly fur feels like a very soft marshmallow)

A calico cat with white paws and a white belly lies on her back on a bed, looking up sleepily and contentedly at the human who is currently petting her belly

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Jul 1

I'd put the ring in a box, tie a string around the box, then put the box on a high shelf where I can't possibly reach it...oh no

An illustration of Frog and Toad from the Arnold Lobel book Frog and Toad Together, showing them eating handfuls of chocolate chip cookies from an overflowing bowl of cookies

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 28

Reposting w/ alt text: The VT Senate is considering S.127, a crucial housing bill that would expand access for immigrant families. This legislation prevents landlords from asking about immigration status and creates housing discrimination protections. Visit acluvt.org/act to take action NOW!

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 28

Abandon all hope, ye frog cupcakes

A tray in a bakery display case that is labeled "FROG CUPCAKES - White Cupcake, Old Fashion Buttercream - $2.99 each," but something has gone horribly wrong with this batch. The 12 lumpy green cupcakes have unblinking eyes made of frosting that stare skyward in terror. Their cake mouths are melted into an endless scream, and the red food coloring that might have been intended to be their tongues has dripped down onto their bodies and now looks like drops of blood.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 21

Mood.

A green insulated grocery bag lies on its side on a kitchen floor. In the narrow gap between the unzipped lid of the bag and the side of the bag, a calico cat is peeking out. She's almost completely hidden inside the bag except that part of her face is visible. One her green eyes, half of her black and orange face with a white muzzle, and her pink nose are visible.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 17

Here are the Beverly rubber stamps I used (and the Pilot Metropolitans and Midori notebook):

A collection of fountain pens and stationery items on a desk. The items include a slim notebook with berries and mushrooms on the cover, a light green Pilot pen in a case, a royal purple Pilot pen in a case, three small rubber stamps, three small bottles of Diamine ink, two tiny boxes of stickers, and a Pilot Kakuno pen.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 17

I was lured into fountain pens by Bluesky and now I'm experimenting with ways to swatch bottles of ink! Featuring rubber stamps, a tiny paintbrush, and a few drops of water. (Billie the bird is bringing you Diamine Majestic Blue ink)

A page in a dot-grid notebook with a border of berries along the top and evergreen trees along the bottom. On the page are three stamps painted with three different colors of ink. The top stamp shows a smiling lavender tabby cat holding a purple fountain pen. The pen is taller than he is. The cat has a speech bubble saying in cursive: "Hello! This is Pelikan Violet ink in a Pilot Metropolitan pen with a Fine nib, brought to you by Lupine the lavender cat."
Below the cat is a stamp of a pale blue bird perched on an ink bottle full of royal blue ink.
At the bottom of the page is a small turquoise-colored Totoro sitting on top of a bottle full of blue-green ink. The Totoro has a speech bubble saying in cursive: "Pssst! This is Diamine Aurora Borealis ink in a Pilot Metropolitan pen with a Fine nib, brought to you by Gimlet the totoro."

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 2

I met up with friends tonight to watch them release Painted Lady butterflies they raised from caterpillars. 🐛

A Painted Lady butterfly perches on a person's finger. Its wings are closed. The butterfly's body is fuzzy and its wings are ornate with blue spots on the pale brown hindwing, and orange and white and brown patterns on the forewing.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· May 1

Cash bail means little for the rich but separates many other people from their families before they've had a trial. Donate in honor of your mom to help bail out Black moms and bring them home!

Poster of two Black women hugging each other while one holds a bouquet of orange-peach roses. They are standing in a parking lot next to some multistory buildings. Text says: "Black Mama's Bail Out
NATIONALBAILOUT.ORG

Free Black Mamas

Ultimate Mother's Day gift guide that goes beyond just flowers."

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 30

Great news and let's keep speaking up for other students jailed for free speech! Today Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi walked out of court after a judge ordered his release from ICE detention. He said to Trump: 'I am not afraid of you.' www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

Outside a Vermont courthouse, Mohsen Mahdawi holds up both his hands making peace signs after his release from being imprisoned. He is wearing wire-framed glasses, a black shirt and gray-green jacket, and what appears to be a keffiyeh draped around his shoulders. He is greeted by a crowd of reporters with TV cameras and community supporters, including one person carrying a large sign that says ABOLISH ICE.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 27

It's true, my cats say trans rights

An orange tabby cat and a calico cat, who both have white paws and other white markings, sit on a dresser in front of a neon yellow protest sign with these words written on it in Sharpie: "LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS"

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 26

The rising fascism has got me making more visual art than usual this year. Painting and embroidering birds, plus making a zine I'll share later this weekend...

A fuzzy African gosling painted onto the shell of a hollow African goose egg. The gosling has a pink flower resting on its head like a hat, and its beak is partly open in a friendly expression. Its feathers are yellow and brown, its legs are dark gray, and its beak is dark gray. The background of the egg is light blue and there is paper Easter grass around it.

An adult African goose painted onto the shell of a hollow African goose egg. Its feathers are mostly cream-colored with brown stripey wings. Its beak is dark brown with a ridge on top, its legs are orange, and it's a chonky, friendly looking bird. The background of the egg is light blue and there's paper Easter grass around it.

A heart-shaped ornament made of red felt, elaborately embellished with embroidery in white thread forming the shapes of flowers, vines, dots, and curlicues. Attached to the heart is a loop of red satin ribbon so it can hang on a tree

A bamboo embroidery hoop holds off-white fabric that's embroidered with the image of a little blue heron. The bird is wading in rippling water and surrounded by cattails. Its feathers are royal blue, pale iridescent blue, and indigo, with a reddish-purplish neck, a dark gray face, yellow eyes, and a long two-toned beak.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 25

This just in: ICE also charging book publisher for "concealing an individual" named Waldo, who was just too tough for these incompetent goons to find while they were in the same elevator with him

The cover of a book titled "Where's Waldo? Awesome Adventures! The Great Vacation Guide" by Martin Handford. Waldo wears his easily recognizable striped red-and-white shirt and red-and-white knit beanie with pompom while carrying a suitcase. In the background are travel snapshots from assorted locations.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 23

Reposting with alt text:

Statement from Mohsen Mahdawi on 4/22/25 saying: "I don't want people to lose hope. Stay positive and believe in the inevitability of justice. This hearing is part of the democratic system as it prevents a tyrant from having unchecked power. I am in prison but am not prisoned. A system of democracy guarantees freedom of speech. Speaking of Palestine does not only qualify as freedom of speech but it is also about our humanity. Keep the hope alive. I will see you under the sun."

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 21

Though I'm not a sports watcher, Ella is always wearing orange, we're from the DMV, and I've been to O's games, so she says it counts

An orange tabby cat lying comfortably on a faux wicker chair in the sunshine and smushing her face into the green cushion

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 15

Reposting to add alt text:

First page of Sen. Bernie Sanders press release that reads:

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS
United States Senator for Vermont

NEWS: Sanders Statement on
Trump's Illegal Deportation of Kilmar
Abrego Garcia
BURLINGTON, Vt., April 14 - In an Oval Office meeting with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, President Trump failed to demand the release of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported from the United States and sent to a Salvadoran prison. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement in response:
Just a few weeks ago, the Trump administration admitted that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father of three who has been in the country more than decade, was an "administrative error."
Then, the U.S. Supreme Court — in a 9-0 decision backed by every Trump-appointed justice - ruled that the administration must bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States.

Second page of Sen. Bernie Sanders' press release that reads:
Now, in open defiance of the Supreme Court and without any evidence, the White House claims that Abrego Garcia is a "terrorist," who was "sent to the right place."
This is a blatant LIE. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, "To this day, the Government has cited no basis in law for Abrego Garcia's warrantless arrest, his removal to El Salvador, or his confinement in a Salvadoran prison. Nor could it.
The Government remains bound by an Immigration Judge's 2019 order expressly prohibiting Abrego Garcia's removal to El Salvador."
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is an innocent man and the father of three. He must not be allowed to rot in an El Salvadorian jail based on lies and defiance of our Constitution. He must be brought home immediately.
This is just another step forward in Trump's move toward authoritarianism.
Fight back!

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Apr 8

I also have a calico with resting grumpy face! Everyone thinks Moxie looks mad but she's just a sweet goofball who can be a little sassy.

A calico cat lies cozily in a round heated bed with three catnip-stuffed conversation heart toys resting on her back. The text on the hearts reads: BE MINE, FUREVER, and PURRFECT

A calico cat flops over onto her side and curls up her white paws to invite belly rubs of her soft marshmallow belly

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Mar 28

Happy Dinosaur Easter! He is risen (And of course by He, I mean the 2-foot-tall milk chocolate T. Rex)

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Mar 9

Reposting w/ alt text:

Screenshot of text: Amy E. Greer is an associate at Dratel & Lewis and issues this statement:
Last night ICE agents wrongfully arrested Mahmoud Khalil, claiming his student visa was revoked - even though Mahmoud is legal permanent resident (green card) and not in the U.S. on a student visa. Confronted with that fact, the ICE agents detained him anyway. Overnight we filed a habeas corpus petition on Mahmoud's behalf challenging the validity of his arrest and detention. Currently we do not know Mahmoud's precise whereabouts.
Initially we were informed this morning that he had been transferred to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. However, when his wife - a U.S. citizen who is eight months' pregnant and was threatened with arrest as well by the ICE agents last night - tried to visit him there today, she was told he is not detained there. We have subsequently received reports that Mahmoud may be transferred as far away as Louisiana. We will vigorously be pursuing Mahmoud's rights in court, and will continue our efforts to right this terrible and inexcusable - and calculated - wrong committed against him.
ICE's arrest and detention of Mahmoud follows the U.S. government's open repression of student activism and political speech, specifically targeting students at Columbia University for criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza. The U.S. government has made clear that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress that speech. Many individuals and organizations have expressed support for Mahmoud and outrage at the government's conduct, and have offered their assistance in the legal proceedings. Mahmoud greatly appreciates all of that support, as do we.

Liz Bergstrom@lizbergstrom· Feb 15

My cat Ella with a reminder "The horrors persist, but so do I"