My/our Literary Arts - the poetic form, writing as pleasure activism, world building; it all found me in big D this month as I plugged into practice that expanded who I am and how I feel myself as an artist. Thanks to Ada Limón, Victoria Christopher Murray, and Ijeoma Oluo for what you give your craft and audience. Time together in Texas during February carried me over several edges while there caring for my mama who’s recently been diagnosed with dementia. From building poetic community to engaging in literary co-learning (I <3 in-person author readings and poem centered symposiums), I sing endless praise without pause line break comma.
Beloved writers, as my north south dialectic wears spring and geographic enjambment, now home, I name new fish after you (tribute began about ten years ago- Tove Jansson, Octavia Butler, Audre Lorde, Ruth Ozeki, Astrid Lindgren are some of fave authors turned finned friends who’ve lived long lives alongside me in my studio). As pinches of food frolic on top of tanks’ water, I smile still carrying those hours listening to your lived, literary experiences. Your words blend with my writing - and commitment to deeply, patiently loving from afar- as my mama’s mind refuses intimacy with recent detail. Oh a poet’s nightmare! (and heartbreak). I’m stronger, softer, and creatively more agile thanks to your voices.
SO after such incredible exposure to literary skill and generosity, I’ll leave many recommendations here for exploration. Queer magic!- I’m forever grateful for how the written word supports me.
Victoria Christopher Murray: First Ladies (Eleanor and Mary as activist inspirations fed me during Operation Metro Surge of Mpls) and Harlem Rhapsody. Jessie Redmon Faucet is now a fierce, finned wonder (characters are swimmable studio mates too!).
All of Ada Limón’s work. Every. Single. Poem!
Ijeoma Oluo’s brilliance, truth telling wizardy, and stage presence deserve wild amounts of celebration. My commitment to racial justice and craft is stronger thanks to this BIPOC queer writer.
Last but not least, I learned how to have sex in a poem and why editing anthologies turns us on.