A Party of Five Becomes Two

The Night of January 2, 2026

Antonia Matthew grew up in England during World War II and has lived in Bloomington, Indiana since 1968. She has been a member of the writing group "Five Women Poets" since 1974, which has published three chapbooks and one CD.  She has published a chapbook, Journey, and written a play, Antonia’s Home Front, a transatlantic audio theater co-production of Political Art, London and the Writers Guild of Bloomington. It premiered on WFHB’s Fireside Theatre, October 9th, 2022. Antonia is a member of the Bloomington Writers Guild. Antonia reads "The Night of January 2, 2026," "bombed building," "Jet Trail," and "Knitting Circle."

Without Compass

Angela Lim is a poet, educator, and editor currently living in Bloomington, Indiana, where she is pursuing an MFA in poetry at Indiana University. In addition to writing poems, Angela has written dozens of juvenile nonfiction books. Angela reads "Without Compass," "COMPULSORY," "I find myself jealous of ghosts" and "Tell the Space Enthusiast 'No, Thank You'."

Press Record Now

Allie Rigby [https://www.allierigby.com/] has roots in the chaparral and deserts of California. She is the author of Moonscape for a Child, published by Bored Wolves in 2024, and she’s a recipient of a Fulbright grant to Romania. Her writing explores health, climate change, ecology, and community, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2020. Allie reads "Press Record Now," "Frog Skin," "Self-Portrait as Orchid," and "Burnt Rice."

A Party of Five Becomes Two

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” --Socrates  Colleen Wells read her poems “A Party of Five Becomes Two,” “Heartblast,” “Love It or List It,” “Snow Day,” and “March Madness.” Colleen believes writing is a healing force and helps others feel empowered to share their stories. Her works include a memoir, Dinner with Doppelgangers – A True Story of Madness & Recovery, and two poetry chapbooks, Animal Magnetism and Around the Bend. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist candidate.

This Isn't Your Dream

Mary Dezember [https://marydezember.com] is an award-winning author of stories and poetry as portals to possibilities. While earning her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Indiana University, she directed the Runcible Spoon Poetry Series. Professor Emeritus of English at New Mexico Tech, Mary was awarded a writer’s residency at the Historic Santa Fe Foundation in 2025. Mary reads her poems " This Isn’t Your Dream" and "2000 Women."