Editing by Thistle

Thistle Dunsmuir is a poet and performer whose work focuses on themes of identity, mental health and queerness. They write in a variety of styles, from spoken word to lyrical free verse, and enjoy poetry the most when it becomes a visceral expression of emotion.

As a spoken word artist, Thistle can be found performing at their local Tongues of Fire open mic, through the Victoria Poetry Project, where they have also performed as a feature poet. They were a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 Tongues of Fire annual slam competitions and performed at Victoria Pride Society’s Pride in the Word event in 2024 and 2025.

As a written poet, Thistle’s poetry has been published in Issue 94 and Issue 107 of Vagabond City Press, as well as in The Q&A Queerzine, Queer Toronto Literary Magazine, and Sea and Cedar Magazine.

Thistle is also currently in the process of releasing their first poetry chapbook.