Reading

The poems I never read in public (a virtual reading from said the Frog to the scorpion)

I don’t read longer poems at poetry readings. However, I composed some of my longest poems in said the Frog to the scorpion. Months ago, I made an intention to record these poems because I slaved over them and wanted my physical voice attached to them as they are to the poems I read aloud regularly.

So here is a 13 min reading of longer poems from said the Frog to the scorpion

Poems:

1. "when asked why I believed Her"

2. "who She is" (I screwed up the title in the video)

3. “when asked about toxic amnesia”

4. “take your pick”

5. “when asked why I won't”

And yes, there are a lot of squirrels behind me...

Book launch reading of said the Frog to the scorpion

The book launch of said the Frog to the scorpion (Harbor Editions, 2024) was a special event.

I was honored to have Kai Coggin and Maya Williams read their amazing poetry as a part of the night. You can watch the recording through the link below.


A five minute reading for Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and my new collection

In honor of Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and the publication of my new collection, here is a five minute reading from said the Frog to the scorpion and one other poem.

Poems read in the video (the first four appear in said the Frog to the scorpion):


Two poems in Vita Poetica Journal

I am working on a series of poems I am calling midrash qatan, or “a little story/exposition.” They are expositions, retellings, and reimagings of stories from the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament. The name pays homage to Rabbinic genre of Midrash Rabbah  (“a great midrash”).

Two of these poems have just been published in Vita Poetica Journal:

“found” (a midrash qatan on Luke 15)

and

“subtlety: an assay” (a midrash qatan on Genesis 3)

Both pages include an audio recording of me reading these poems.

Two 'Letters to America' in Terrain.org

Demien DineYazhi’s My Ancestors Will Not Let Me Forget This, 2020. Letterpress Print

Terrain.org has published both "when asked what might finally lead me to drink or abuse schedule 1 narcotics" & "white History Month" as a part of their Letter to America series.

Both are accompanied by a “dramatic reading.” Click below to read/listen.