Thursday, January 28, 2016

2/1/16 Dan Brady Featured

Calendar of Coming Features



2/1/16 Dan Brady hosted by Jan



 Dan was born in New York City and comes from a large family.  He can
recount adventures from that portion of his childhood spent growing up in
Queens.  His family moved to California in 1960, after his father suddenly
passed away.  Although he had an interest in the arts, it was not until high
school that he began writing poetry.  By the early 1970¹s he became a part
of San Francisco¹s poetry community and has been writing poems, haiku,
stories and prose ever since.  However, the time now seems right to publish
what needs saying in the hopes of making a positive change - this is why he
has produced this collection of poetry.
     He enjoys the process of producing poetry.  First because of that
moment of inspiration when a new poem comes to mind is as subtle as it is
wondrous.  He¹ll say that it all begins with attending to the voice of the
muse, which is similar to taking dictation.  Secondarily he enjoys editing,
revising and rehearsing pieces in preparation for presenting them to an
audience, which may prompt further revisions.
     When talking about his writing he¹ll usually explain that while
preparing a piece or performing is enjoyable, nothing compares to the
inspirational moment which brings about something new and incredible; he is
constantly amazed by that aspect of the writer¹s life.  When asked about his
process he is fond of saying, ³I read and reread a poem until it settles
down² by which he means that the poem ceases to change and is no longer in
need of revision - at which point it is ready to present to an audience.  In
addition, while some poems are done in a single draft and others take years
they are never truly done.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

1/11/16 Kristina Ten Features






01/11/16 Kristina Ten hosted by Jim


Kristina Ten is a dog person and a people person, in that order. Her writing has appeared in Word RiotThe LiterateurPantheon MagazineGarbanzo Literary JournalThe Awl, and elsewhere. She lives in San Francisco.
Lazy

I have too many bones in my feet and
I have too many teeth in my mouth and
I put too much clout in follower count
and you, my belly my lemon my grove

This house is split by computer cables
This house has tables that drop every plate
This house is thigh-chafed sun-spoilt and Christ-cradled
and you, my wet mozzarella my love

And you, sugar pill pilled sweater sweet jam
And you, my jelly meat suckled and shorn
And you, my kill and my kill and my kill and my

City’s dumpling makers all went on strike
My city is spite gold brass Stoli commercials
My city is sure-footed falling uphill
and you, my wall stud my knock knock my screw

If you cannot be honest at least burn the truth
If you cannot be ruthless at least admit that

This star will one day throw us clean off
This star coughs through Czech words it would mispronounce
This star is bounced checks rising boats blown raspberries
and you, my shower curtain my mildew

I will braid the veins in your translucent wings
I will sell your ivory on Amazon Prime

I will watch you spread lotion across your new legs
I will beg it will rhyme I will beg I will beg I will

Call you my house and my city and star

When you cannot be human just be what you are

Sunday, January 3, 2016

John Rowe Featured Monday, 1/4/16


01/04/16 John Rowe hosted by Jan 

JOHN ROWE has poems appearing most recently in Minotaurred lights (tanka journal), San Diego Poetry Annual 2014-15, and San Francisco Peace and Hope (online and print edition). His latest chapbook is Beyond Perspective from Finishing Line Press (Fall 2015). Connie Post says: “The poems in Beyond Perspective will take any reader to a heightened level of introspection and awareness. John Rowe has found a delicate and perfect way of blending the imagined world with ordinary life.” His previous poetry chapbooks At My Wit's Beginning and Winsome Losesome showcase his tendencies toward whimsical word play and a minimalist approach. J.R. is a co-host of the monthly (2nd Fridays) Last Word Poetry Reading Series, held at Nefeli Caffe in Berkeley. For many years he’s served as president of the Bay Area Poets Coalition and associate editor of BAPC’s Poetalk magazine. Website: www.rowepoet.com