At the link in our bio, read “Gardening in the Public Flowerfest: On Poetry and Civic Repair” by Tess Taylor, 2024 Poet Laureate Fellow and Poet Laureate of El Cerrito, California.
Oh man, it is almost the darkest day, and I’ve had a rollercoaster of a week, but here’s something amazing to share! I’m over the solstice moon to announce today that my next book of poems, COME, BITE will be published by Milkweed Press @milkweed_books in Spring of 2027!
COME BITE is a book of contemporary odes, verses of interconnection, and intense presence. How do we steady ourselves now? How do we focus our basic attention in the face of climate change, erupting war, gun violence, and daily onslaught that leaves us angry, or perhaps worse, numb? In the face of grief and loss, by what means do we re-route toward tenderness? These poems were written in seasons of darkness, through times when I was writing them to find my heart. I’m amazed to find that they’ve found such a meadow to bloom in. I love Milkweed so much, their beautiful editions of Ada Limon @adalimonwriter , Victoria Chang @fattery12 and Robin Wall Kimmerer @robinwallkimmerer , their commitment to place, ecology and native voices. I love the way they make and share books. If you’re ever in Minneapolis go check out OPEN BOOKS @openbookmn , one of the loveliest bookstores on earth. I’m so excited to be taking the journey with Milkweed and I can’t wait to share more news about this delicious bite of a book soon. @poetsorg@melflashman@janklownesbit
Hi everyone! I'm a writer and I returned to the town that I grew up in, and right now we are working to pass a small parcel tax that would let us update our small, one room schoolhouse of a library. Election day is June 2, so I urge you to learn about the measure and vote. If you're here in El Cerrito and want to ask questions, I suggest going here: /-- ask all your tough questions. And for everyone else, everywhere else-- local politics matter, local elections matter, and truthfulness in elections matter. In a hard time for our country and the world, I have felt a great joy advocating for a new library in my little town. I urge you to go do something that makes you feel like you can make your corner of the world a better place. YES ON C!
Hi, this Friday at @mrsdalloways will be so fun-- but don't take my word for it-- apparently @berkeleyside thinks so too. They say "Howdy, Andy here, and I’m a sucker for stories that illuminate forgotten corners of the past, making it clear that the figures who dominate today’s headlines pale in comparison to characters of yore. Poet Eleni Sikelianos’s new book, “Memory Rehearsal,” details the wild life of her great-grandmother Eva Sikelianos, a privileged New York socialite who moved to Paris in 1901 with her lover, the writer and salonist Natalie Barney.
Engaged in a skein of affairs with other women, and intoxicated by the life and poetry of Sappho, Sikelianos ended up in Greece, where she met and married Angelos Sikelianos. Looking to promote world peace, they staged revivals of ancient Delphic festivals, reigniting the young nation’s interest in its deep cultural history. Eleni only discovered her family’s significance while backpacking in Greece in her early 20s in the 1980s. She’ll discuss her book at Mrs. Dalloway’s on Friday." Can't wait!
What a weekend coming up. Some amazing conversations, both about archives and how they become art; about how artists trace out amazing histories. It's a very full time of year but I hope you'll come!
Friday May 15, I get to be in conversation with the brilliant Eleni Sikelianos at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore in Berkeley. She's sharing her new memoir MEMORY REHEARSAL — a genre-defying book about her ancestor Eva Palmer: New York socialite, Paris modernist, lover of Natalie Barney, and the woman who brought the ancient Delphic festivals back to life in Greece. Wild and beautiful and very Eleni. 7pm, free, but register now — registration closes at 6:30pm on the day.
Then Sunday May 17, I'll be at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley for a pre-show conversation with Artistic Director Lance Gardner around their gorgeous West Coast premiere of PICTURES FROM HOME — Sharr White's stage adaptation of Larry Sultan's landmark photo memoir. We'll be talking about my play LAST WEST- an upcoming documentary photo project on Dorothea Lange. Come at 1 and then stay for an awesome play!
Huge lovely spring wishes. Two nights, two venues, so much good work. Hope to see you at one or both.
You're invited to a sneak peek of the road ahead for LAST WEST, my play about Dorothea Lange-- May 17, 1-2pm at Marin Theatre, along with the amazing Lance Gardner, and just before a really wonderful show PICTURES FROM HOME, which also uses a photo archive. I am so extied to talk about how an archive becomes a play, the drama of photographs, and the road ahead for LAST WEST. Appreciate all the people making this possible. Come join us!
A hike, a meal, time with my mother, time with my kids, time to sleep in, time to love on my beloved who made me a mother, a concert from a kiddo, a fervent sermon about peacekeeping and mothering and activism and those that accompany us at my parent's liberal church, a play, a few moments to read, a few moments to garden. I felt the blessings of this life and really was so grateful this weekend. Was not on this space all weekend- still holding the delight. #mothersday
Belatedly, because it was a super beautiful and joyful weekend, some pictures of the people who made me a mother, all jumbled together. I have no idea who I'd be without the journey with these two goofy souls. I feel so grateful, so delighted, so happy that I get to be on the road of life. Grateful for those who support and tend and parent and accompany and caretake and witness and love. #mothersday
