poetry

If you want to learn more about how deep corruption runs in media, be sure to check out this book! I just started a class called “Radical Media, Film, and Social Movements” (dream class!), and this is the text we’ve been reading from. I’ve been interested in radical, anarchist and alternative forms of media and art ever since I learned about it (especially as a device of resistance). This book is especially dense and not always the most accessible, but the concepts are incredibly valuable to citizens.

Speaking of anarchist communications, my class reminded me of a special place I stumbled upon in Philadelphia. Founded in 1976, the Wooden Shoe is an all volunteer, collectively-run, anarchist book store. They also identify as an infoshop, meaning that they serve as a space for people to gather, learn, and find out more about like-minded activities happening in their communities.

I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to see Patti Smith read from her new book, Year of the Monkey, at the Adrienne Arscht Center in Miami Beach. She played a couple of acoustic songs, including “My Blakean Year,” which is one of my favorites that she’s written.

Additionally, I got to hear the poetics of Joy Harjo live at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival. She read and performed some of her staggering poems, played the saxophone (which she jokingly referred to as a “demon instrument”), and also played Native American flute- enveloping the crowd in ancient ritual and ceremony.

Here’s a photo of Joy’s beautiful hand covered in these elaborate indigenous tattoo patterns; I took it when I met her after the performance. Joy was recently named the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, and she absolutely deserves the honor. I said, “Hello, Human-Bird. Thank you for singing to me.” During her performance, she mentioned how she carried Emily Dickinson with her, and how the poet used to “sing” to her.

This is Joy’s latest release, American Sunrise. Do yourself a favor and connect to her language immediately!