Ventura Artists Union

When they ask what I did in the time of darkness, I will say I drew my SWORD. THIS IS MY SWORD. If you have watched for the last 3 years and 50 weeks in HORRO...R-- this poem is for YOU. "This America" By Kai Coggin (originally published here: https://roughcutpress.com/issue-16/) ** best experienced with headphones** #WarriorPoet #poetlife

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Russell L. Stockard Jr. The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for ...all. We deplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project www.vcpoetryproject.org more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Wednesday, October 28 Friday Gretchen and open mic Thousand Oaks Library online Hosts: Ron Fullerton and Conor Logan - starts at 6pm zoom opens at 5:30... Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9607501600 Meeting ID: 960 750 1600 Friday Gretchen dwells in the coastal community of Ventura, California where she is an advocate for the arts: literary, visual & performance. Over the years, she has run writing workshops, hosted readings and began editing for poetry journals and books. She served on the board of directors for the Ventura County Arts Council, where she helped to establish a poet laureate & youth poet laureate for her county. Her work has been published numerous times, most notably, in Art/Life Limited Editions, Miramar, Askew Poetry Journal, Solo, Spillway and within four anthologies. coming up next Wednesday, October 14 open mic poetry Newbury Park Library online Hosts: Ron Fullerton and Conor Logan - starts at 6pm T.O. poetry every 2nd and 4th on Wednesday of the month Ventura County Poetry Project www.vcpoetryproject.org more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Joelle Hannah The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We d...eplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project www.vcpoetryproject.org more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Crystal Salas The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We d...eplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Thursday, October 22 - Antonio López and open mic EP Foster Library - Online for now - host: Phil Taggart Starts at 7:30 - the zoom thingie open’s at 7 Joi...n Zoom Meeting new zoom number https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9607501600 Meeting ID: 960 750 1600 Antonio López La Reina de Tejas (Live from Astrodome) Amá said you died the week before I born, que eras tan feroz with your jumper, before se pusieron de moda, and the little girls who wore them butterflew into muchachas. Tenía que verte in pot-bellied teles, canal crackling like brown-backed tortillas. Te ví con pants flared like your nariz, chata like my sister’s. I munched on tacos, el jugo dripping as Amá squealed, Agarra la colita! Te ví your hands castanets, my size 3 Godzilla’s tapped to their bidi bidi, to eyebrows arched to a dome with tierra-dusked faces. Te ví como la flor la maestra Barragán showed us, a night-blooming cactus I called as selena grandiflorus. From Tejana lips, ví the Spanish I couldn’t mouth. Stuttered songs ‘till words flowed like the taco’s orange grasa. I lick my fingers, lean on the couch cover. Ví you peer from orange-stained glass, cooing my tongue to finally sing, Me diste túúúú. My heart trembles, I can speak like us. Ví, full lips like mine hush the roaring crowd that tightens my tummy just like Amá’s raspberry kisses. You leave the stage, and sparkles sugar the sofá’s puddle of drool. Antonio López - Power to the Poet www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVTffLFxLoQ Antonio López for City Council www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarpaXNBWFQ sponsored in part by Poets & Writers future features October 29 open mic November 5 Joshua Escobar November 19 Mary Kay Rummel December 10 Scott Struman - 2021 February 4 Laura Hogan February 25 Christopher Buckley March 18 Raquel Baker Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Luzma Espinosa The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We ...deplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Julius O. Sokenu The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. W...e deplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Amy Uyematsu The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We de...plore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - W. David Hall The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We d...eplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Thursday, October 15 - Crn Contreras and open mic EP Foster Library - Online for now - host: Phil Taggart Starts at 7:30 - the zoom thingie open’s at 7 Joi...n Zoom Meeting new zoom number https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9607501600 Meeting ID: 960 750 1600 Crn Contreras The Borrowing of Gul Mudin Images through distances meet eyes casting shadows No one wants to know your negative opinions about them No one wants these words to float like pollen through fertile poppy fields Like dust kicking up with a wind so strong all is covered in thickening layers of it Settling in the crevices of loafers not meant for boys, but for men Whose feet don’t leave excess space for them to slide and flop with each step Did you try to run in them? Did you trip into target because of them? Did this heirloom that left your father barefoot fail you? Shoes that lay loosely on your feet barely hanging From toes now burying under wind’s shovel White grains fine enough to land on each of your eyelash hairs Mouth agape Filling the spaces between your exposed teeth Pale sand camouflaging pale skin Did you hope for air to save you? Did you gasp for sovereignty? Did your mother keep you indoors? Away from the sun Away from the sons of foreign fathers Whose pride does not reach them here So they have to make their own trophies Did he hold your hand while pulling medic shears from a nearby pocket? Did he hold your hand the way he held your brother’s hand for the photo days before? Were you surprised at how easily metal cut through your flesh to pinky bone? The sun does not choose to be, it just is The sun does not choose what it gives color to, it just gives Currant red for the ridged ribbon hung with award Currant red coagulating to black in pale sand CRN Contreras reads, Body of Proof www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2gCN32FyQ sponsored in part by Poets & Writers future features October 22 Antonio Lopez November 5 Joshua Escobar November 19 Mary Kay Rummel December 10 Scott Struman - 2021 February 4 Laura Hogan February 25 Christopher Buckley March 18 Raquel Baker Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Dear America, Black Lives Matter - Vickie Vértiz The Ventura County Poetry Project wants to help create a world that is more just and affirming for all. We d...eplore racism and its devastating consequences in our nation and believe that poetry can in some measure reframe and enlarge perspectives via empathy. The ‘Dear America, Black Lives Matter initiative involved asking diverse poets and writers of color in Ventura County and surrounding counties to respond to our current historical moment in whatever way they chose. This was originally planned as a live reading but as that became impossible, we migrated online. Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Dear America, Black Lives Matter (this link will cycle through the whole reading) https://www.youtube.com/watch Julius Sokenu is a distinguished poet and the President of Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31Pi-49N_U Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet and peace activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Santa Barbara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBKQQNkswQ Joelle Hannah is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCAsY1_XlMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdxOLmUfec Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Dian Sousa is a poet and activist. She is Poet Laureate Emerita of San Luis Obispo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kOaOz6AVg Verónica Reyes is a poet, activist, and professor at Cal State University Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4LSdq8vYE Russell L. Stockard Jr. is a poet. He directs the Global Studies Program at Cal Lutheran University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHidYC3NFhI Amy Uyematsu is a poet, educator, and activist. She is the author of four books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsI4NrsVAk Vickie Vértiz is a poet, educator, and advocate. She received the Pen America Poetry Prize in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiVqy8RzJ4 Geoffrey Jacques is a poet, writer, and educator. He teaches in the Department of Black Studies at UCSB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNUsa8lUOE Crystal Salas is a poet, essayist and community organizer. She recently earned her MFA in Poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6s-a81MDU Sandra Hunter is an award-winning fiction writer. She is a professor at Moorpark College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T4fR-J6-8 W. David Hall is a poet and educator. He directs the Kenyon Young Writers Program in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoZbP77tdw Luzmaria Espinosa is a poet, danzante and community activist. She is Poet Laureate of Ventura County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RHOrZFAis Raquel Baker is a poet and fiction writer. She is a professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-6VzWhL8U Zayan Reza is a poet and activist. She is currently working towards her BA at the UC Irvine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc7ai0kCpNo We are grateful that so many accomplished writers in the Southland and Central Coast shared their intimate, visceral work. What a gift to all of us! Please take a look at this five-minute video interweaving excerpts of these essential voices. But don’t stop there. Go on to explore each wonderful piece in its entirety. Don’t stop there either. Ever onward with change-making, VCPP P.S. Please share this. this video/reading was put together by Geoffrey Jacques, Sandra Hunter, Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart Please consider a donation: Aclu.org Artistrelief.org Beyondbaroque.org Blacktranstravelfund.com Cantomundo.org Cavecanem.org GetLit.org Pen.org Theworldstage.org Ventura County Poetry Project more poetry here over 1000 videos www.youtube.com/user/AskewPoetryJournal

Are you craving dark delights? Do you have a haunting hunger? An odd obsession? Several Artist Union members are participating in this show that opens a doorway into the shadow side of our existence. Opening reception tomorrow, with social distance protocols. For those who wish to enjoy this from home, we'll do our best entice you with online versions of Gray Oddities and Friends!