winding home on an empty, curving, two-lane I am caught in the unblinking silver stare of the moon my sham of being fine is easily seen through I falter and finally I let go two steady streams flow from their wells down hot cheeks over trembling chin past choked throat en route to douse the [...]

Estoy aprendiendo a hablar español.  Este es mi primer poema en español, así que si usted, por favor, perdona mis errores.  Esta es mi familia: somos abuelito y niño mujer y hombre moreno y güera sangre y agua hermana y hermano Esta es mi familia: somos poetas y músicos maestros y estudiantes activistas y visionarios [...]

I’ve long been against the idea of explaining poetry, giving background info, or providing the context.  To me, this seems to take something away from the meaning a reader may derive for herself or himself.  But recently I’ve heard some interpretations of my writing–actually more specifically of me–reflected back to me and it was so [...]

Saturday whatever on your list needs doing whatever errands need running whatever bills need paying whatever runny noses need wiping whatever diapers need changing whatever lawn needs mowing whatever papers need writing whatever books need reading whatever trail needs exploring whatever road needs driving whatever work needs tending whatever cupcake needs baking whatever stillness needs [...]

I hear your raps and rhymes poems and lines and I know that I am not alone I can see we’re not that different I too have borne unspeakable loss have cherished indescribable delight I watch your raps and rhymes poems and lines and I realize the power of words spoken I see strength emanating [...]

drive by bullets fly four men drop one heart stops eye for an eye bullet for bullet when did we decide these are the rules to live by? before they stand they have a plan blinded by hate forced to retaliate son for a son daughter for daughter when did we decide these are the [...]

There is a me you would not recognize, dear.  Call it the shadow of myself…”  –Over The Rhine there is a me you would not recognize a me that writhes in sadness a me that is more than the color of my skin a me that is just like you a me that sees your [...]

Part the third in an [undetermined number]-part series follows the continuing adventures of Mav and the Open Mic night at Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural.  This part happened just this evening and yes, I’m still all aglow from the events! Tonight a friend of mine came with me; he is a budding poet and is doing [...]

I decided to split up my posts about Tia Chucha’s because I have so much to say, it might be easier to put it into “chapters” of a sort.  Here is the second chapter of my Tia Chucha’s adventure saga. So I had just scribbled down a poem about how surreal and awe-some it was [...]

Do you ever have moments that you just know you’re gonna hold onto and keep forever?  Those precious times that you tuck away in the inner pocket of your soul stowed away safely but easily accessible so you can take it out again and remember and feel what you felt when that moment first happend.  [...]