I'm struggling with social media these days. It sure seems like there are a lot of "bot" accounts that are designed to make us upset / angry / fight. Not to mention the real accounts that are emboldened by the bot accounts and then repeat the arguments, the hand gestures, the hate, the bizarre positioning of America as an Axis of, well, you know.
Plus, the current administration is having a negative impact on the global nonprofit sector, the arts, federal employees, and anyone whose identity can be weaponized in order to create anger and fear. And all those areas impacted? That's my entire life.
Some folks voted because eggs were expensive. I voted because I knew, if the current guy won, I'd be waking up and looking at executive orders on a daily basis to see if I'm still married. And that's low on the list of concerns compared to this administration's attempts to eliminate a group of people who've existed since time began. You might say that's their final solution, but it's one I refuse to accept. [Edited to say - I figured you'd know which group I was talking about, but then I realized, this administration is targeting so many groups of people, it's hard to know which group I mean. And doesn't that say a lot?]
To combat this, I've re-invented this website, and I'll be posting poetry, photographs, and blogging here. I'm leaning heavily into art as it's what I can contribute. Fifteen years ago, I self-published a book and put things in motion that helped to change the literary landscape. That's how I know to fight.
I'll have a new chapbook out in a month or so that will 100% benefit The Desert Rat Residency for Writers in Palm Desert, CA -because I believe artistic spaces outside of those funded by the government are critical right now.
I'll have another full-length book out this year, the final publication through Sibling Rivalry Press - which will then shift to publishing under a new imprint as a response to the state of the world. Think underground. Think punk. Think how art thrives when it's deemed dangerous.
This site is brand new and there are probably some kinks to work out, but I'll work 'em out, and you're invited to follow me here.
A website like this is what brought me into poetry as I know it. It's where I found community and where I learned to be proud of my work, so in many ways, this is a return to form.
There'll be joy here, and connection, and calls to action. There will be poetry, and music, and art.
We know how to do this.
So let's do this.
Let's walk through the door together.
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