I’m all about the underdog—I always have been. I like to run away from cops, rebel against those who judge me, appreciate artwork peaced on brickwalls, find a reason to stay out late at night listening to sounds coming from speakers in old warehouses, and I am one-hundred percent down with music that revolutionizes convention. … More The Get Down Revolution
When I think of Grasshoppers Before Gods by Karla Cordero, I am reminded of Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands: La Frontera. I am reminded of Lizz Huerta’s mesmerizing prose when, from “I Succubus,” she enchants, “Even when they think they aren’t, men love to reenact conquest on bodies like mine. Bodies like mine have been taken for … More How the Sound of Words Influence Meaning: A Book Review of Grasshoppers Before Gods by Karla Cordero
In the first line of Ellen Bass’ poem “Relax,” she prophesizes, “Bad things are going to happen.” Let’s just say it hasn’t been the best month. Personally, I can speak to that on many levels, and I’m sure you can too. Regardless of the pain and suffering we all endure through the everyday grind of … More In Praise of Strength: A Review of Ellen Bass Reading at San Diego State University
“An American soldier fucked a Vietnamese farmgirl. Thus my mother exists. Thus I exist. Thus no bombs = no family = no me.” In these lines from the poem “Notebook Fragments”, Ocean Vuong succinctly lays out a central idea that he grapples with over and over in his debut full-length collection Night Sky with Exit … More Violence, Music, and Love: A review of Ocean Vuong’s “Night Sky with Exit Wounds”
I attended this year’s AWP Conference with my editor. Every day, as we wandered the show floor, she would periodically swing us past the Red Hen booth, insisting that I had to meet poet Brendan Constantine. And every day we came up empty handed. Until finally, on the last day, with just a handful of … More An Art of Embodiment: An Interview with Brendan Constantine
What I’m consuming this week … More Isabelle’s Picks
This is part two of an interview with the poet Hari Alluri conducted by the The B-Side journal’s Arthur Kayzakian. In this portion, Hari offers insights into how specific techniques—especially metaphor—help his poetics to materialize in the work. On his way to discussing future projects and the transformation of language, he reveals how the conversation, the collaboration, … More Follow the Rhizome: An Interview with Hari Alluri Part 2
My media this week … More Branden’s Picks
What I’m consuming this week. … More Daniella’s Picks
What I’m consuming this week … More Arthur’s Picks
