Welcome!

My collection of poetry, Tiller and Shears, has been published by Kelsay Books. While nearly all of these poems have been previously published in magazines and journals from the 1970s to this year, I’m thrilled to see my words come to life in this volume.

You can purchase copies directly either from Kelsay Books or from Amazon.

Tiller and Shears is also available as an eBook from Amazon.

Praise for Tiller and Shears:

“In these deft and quietly dazzling poems, David Milley explores grief, the natural world, queer identity, and love. Writing into the white space of erased queer history, Milley uses ekphrasis and formal experimentation to exhume loss and celebrate devotion.” —Rebecca Jamieson, author of The Body of All Things

“From the Jersey Devil in the pines to Poseidon rising from the sea, these poems reclaim places of queer recognition. In poems of queer history, names are spoken so they are not lost—memory becomes light in the dark, illuminating love that endures.” —Christine Redman-Waldeyer, Poetry Director of The Poetry Center, author of The Nest

“These poems roam back roads, hum through beehives, and stroll backyard gardens. Told with brutal honesty, each poem records subtleties through the poet’s discerning eyes.” —Christine Salvatore, Geraldine R. Dodge poet, NJ State Council on the Arts fellowship awardee