Travelogue

"Bright Silence" has been a good project; thanks to the support of the good folks involved with Woosh Kinaadeiyi, I've been able to share the bulk of the book at public readings.  However, not wanting to repeat myself too often, I feel that it's time to begin work on book number two: Travelogue.  It's a working title, and will hopefully allow me to explore the concepts of travel and growth, both physically and emotionally.  I was able to read one of the first poems of this new work to a packed house at Juneau's Poetry Slam Anniversary earlier this month; if that wasn't inspiring, I don't know what is...Wish me luck.

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Poetry Block Party This Saturday 10a-3p

Come one come all - Dancers and other artists (open poetry mic @ 2 pm) will be taking over Seward Street; books for sale, fun to be had...A great opportunity to celebrate spring and local artists...

"Bright Silence" Is Available...

Okay. With the help of Juneau's Copy Works, my first book is now available. To cover printing costs, I'm asking $5 - send me an address and I'll get copies in the mail. Had a good time promoting the book and Canvas Poetry Slam/Block Party (4/30) on the radio today; next step is shameless self-promotion on "A Juneau Afternoon" with Jeff Brown...What a wonderful and supportive environment...Thanks all.

UAS Poetry Slam 4/8/2011

Kudos to "Subway Slammers" Kate Laster and NaHaan for their readings at UAS Friday night; a great venue, which lended itself to quality work by several local wordsmiths.  Here's hoping for great weather next Friday as local poets take to the street in honor of Poetry month.  Come one come all to the Canvas for an April slam that will not disappoint and most likely prove to set the tone for block parties everywhere...

Bright Silence

Okay - First publication, "Bright Silence" is set to print next week; the plan is to have copies available at downtown slam 4/15/2011.  Hope to place in local bookstores as well; look for it to be available soon.

Tidal Echoes Launch 4/2/2011

Okay; a good turnout at last night's UAS Tidal Echoes launch gathering where many local poets/writers were in attendance.  Here's my contribution:

ECHO CANYON

                   “…No one loves rock,

                                      Yet we are here…”

- Gary Snyder

Winding this thin jeep trail of a road

Between high desert walls;

Snaking it through layered rock,

A jumble of broken plates

Fired red with dusk –

Our feet slip in loose gravel;

Predicted silence

Echoes deep into our ears.

We’ve come all afternoon,

Eyes and legs and hearts

Scrambling among warped stone

For some place to spread our camp.

Now,

Blankets open to the stars,

We lay ourselves down,

Tracking the unseen path of bats

Against a darker plate of sky;

Weeds scratch the ground behind our ears.

Simple rock,

Beneath a winter moon;

This earth relaxing warmth into the night –

Chorused by the song of dogs,

We wade into such dreaming.

It was an absolute honor/pleasure to participate in this event.  Props to UAS staff and Kaleigh Lambert for providing the opportunity to share the rostrum with the likes of Heather Lende, Nicholas Galanin, and JNU poet Kate Laster/Quixote.