about the author

after Ben Lerner

The first and only poem Stuart Rawlinson has ever written is called The Hatred of Stuart Rawlinson. In it, he retells every social and interpersonal interaction he has ever had. He uses this poem to imagine alternate scenarios, describing how he could have behaved better. He updates the poem every evening in bed. Through these stanzas, he has been able to build up a picture of the Perfect Stuart Rawlinson, and he strives to follow his example. He can often be heard saying Ah, the power of poetry, after perfectly ordering a macchiato. He always remembers your name. He always remembers your name. He always has the correct answer to any detractors, who might claim this approach has made conversation with him disingenuous. He is always sure to meet each of these accusations with direct eye contact. Don't worry, he says, I know exactly what you mean. 

Stuart Rawlinson (he/him) is a writer living in Glasgow, Scotland. Poems of his can be found in Magma, fourteen poems, Discount Guillotine, and Seaford Review, among other places. In 2022 he was selected as one of four mentees for the Clydebuilt 15 program, designed by St Mungo's Mirrorball.