Tag: 2000s Poetry

Read 2000s Poetry written by slam poets, cowboy poets, and literary giants inspired by the state of Arizona on AZpoetry.com!

Rex Arramsith Arizona poet a man taking a selfie

Rex Arrasmith

May 15, 2025

Rex Carey Arrasmith: Bridging Worlds Through Poetry and Fiction

Rex Carey Arrasmith is a poet and fiction writer whose work traverses the landscapes of memory, identity, and the natural world. Splitting his time between Sedona, Arizona, and Lāna’i, Hawaii, Arrasmith draws inspiration from the vortexes of Arizona’s Coconino National Forest and the serene beauty of the Pacific. His writing often serves as a memorial to friends and lovers lost to the AIDS pandemic, capturing moments of joy, sorrow, and reflection.

After a 30-year career with United Airlines, Arrasmith pursued his passion for writing, earning an MFA in Fiction from Lesley University in 2018, followed by an MFA in Poetry in 2020. He is a co-founder of Cambridge Common Writers, a Lesley MFA alumni group that fosters community among writers.(cambridgecommonwriters.org, cambridgecommonwriters.org)

Arrasmith’s poetry and fiction have been featured in numerous literary journals, including Lily Poetry Review, Passengers Journal, Solstice Literary Magazine, Spillwords, Hares Paw Literary Journal, New Note Poetry, and Dark Thirty Poetry Publishing. His poem “Whale Song” in Spillwords reflects his deep connection to nature and the awe it inspires.

Arrasmith’s Poetry Transcends Literature and Spirituality

In addition to his literary pursuits, Arrasmith is an ordained Universal Life Minister, crafting uniquely inspired wedding vows that blend poetic sensibility with personal narratives. His multifaceted career and diverse experiences enrich his writing, offering readers a tapestry of stories that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

For more information on Rex Carey Arrasmith and his work, visit his Cambridge Common Writers profile.

Gary Every

May 15, 2025

Sedona’s Storyteller, Poet Laureate, and Genre-Bending Wordsmith

Gary Every, the Poet Laureate of Sedona, Arizona, is a literary force known for his genre-defying style, energetic performances, and profound connection to the American Southwest. With over 1,300 publications and nine books to his name, Every has earned recognition in poetry, fiction, journalism, and speculative literature, carving out a unique space where the natural world, science fiction, and spoken word converge.

A Career of Boundless Expression

Gary Every’s expansive body of work reflects his commitment to telling stories that blur traditional boundaries. Whether delivering beat-inspired spoken word, penning sharp science fiction narratives, or crafting intimate essays grounded in Arizona’s diverse landscape, his voice remains uniquely his own. Every’s storytelling ranges from rock concerts and Earth Day celebrations to poetry slams and resort bonfires—wherever there is a microphone or a willing audience, Gary Every brings his signature style.

Prose, Poetry, and the Imaginative Frontier

Every describes his creative output as equally divided between prose, poetry, and fiction—or, in his own words: “journalism, science fiction, and beatnik.” This balance allows him to explore the human condition through both the lens of grounded reality and the infinite possibilities of speculative thought. His journalistic work has been honored by the Arizona Newspaper Association, earning consecutive Best Lifestyle Feature awards.

Honors and Recognition

Gary Every’s commitment to language has garnered critical acclaim across multiple disciplines. He is a four-time nominee for the prestigious Rhysling Award, which honors the best science fiction poetry of the year, and he has received numerous Pushcart Prize nominations for both his fiction and verse. His poetry regularly appears in journals and anthologies dedicated to speculative and literary writing alike.

Introducing The Mighty Minstrels: Poetry Meets Jazz

In addition to his solo work, Gary Every joined forces with a collective of musicians to produce the jazz-poetry fusion album Introducing The Mighty Minstrels. The project underscores Every’s musicality and his roots in performance poetry, showcasing the rhythm and improvisational spark that animate his live readings.

Voice of the Verde Valley

Though originally from outside Sedona, Every is deeply rooted in Northern Arizona’s landscape, folklore, and history. As Sedona’s Poet Laureate, he elevates regional voices and natural wonders through public readings, workshops, and cultural events that blend performance with environmental awareness. His work frequently draws from desert canyons, red rock formations, and the mythic aura of the Verde Valley region.

From Bonfire to Slam Stage

Before his poet laureate appointment, Every honed his storytelling chops as a bonfire storyteller at a luxury resort near Tucson. This period instilled in him a passion for live performance, which continues to inform his presence at poetry slams and community events across Arizona. Whether riffing at a jazz set or engaging audiences at literary festivals, his delivery is dynamic and unforgettable.

A Literary Bridge Across Genres

Gary Every’s writing challenges and expands our understanding of what poetry can be. By weaving together beat aesthetics, desert ecology, interstellar imagination, and sharp journalistic observation, he crafts work that resonates across audiences and disciplines. His ability to shift seamlessly between the page and the stage, the traditional and the speculative, places him among Arizona’s most versatile and visionary literary figures.

Want to read Gary Every’s books? Check out his official website HERE.

Joseph Nieves

May 2, 2025

Joseph Nieves: From Comic Books to Poetry Slams in Arizona

Joseph Nieves was raised in San Jose, California, where his earliest adventures were on foot, following his grandfather into the heart of the city. Those walks — which included stops behind a Burger King where his grandfather sold marijuana — would spark an enduring connection to the power of storytelling. One fateful day, a visit to a comic book store tucked into a rough plaza behind a Walgreens opened a new world for young Joseph: the imaginative universe of superheroes, legends, and vivid language.

That encounter with comics wasn’t just a childhood fascination — it became the foundation for his creative life. Through comics, Nieves developed an early appreciation for narrative structure, myth-making, and bold emotional expression — elements that would later define his work as a poet.

New Beginnings in Arizona: Discovering Poetry Slam

In the late 1990s, Nieves’ family relocated to Mesa, Arizona. By then a teenager, Joseph found a job at a local comic book shop, immersing himself even deeper in the worlds of imagination. Around the same time, he stumbled into another transformative discovery: the world of poetry slam.

Drawn to the energy, the emotion, and the raw authenticity of spoken word, Nieves began attending slams across the Phoenix metro area. His talent for weaving powerful imagery, humor, and introspection into tight three-minute performances quickly earned him a reputation as a compelling voice in Arizona’s slam poetry community.

Rise to Prominence: Flagstaff Poetry Slam Champion

Seeking new adventures (and cooler temperatures), Joseph Nieves moved north to Flagstaff, Arizona. There, his presence on the poetry scene blossomed. In 2006, Nieves was crowned the Flagstaff Poetry Slam Champion, a major milestone that solidified his place among Arizona’s top spoken word artists.

Later that year, he proudly represented Flagstaff at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas, competing alongside a talented team that included Troy Thurman, J.J. Valentine, and Aaron Hopkins-Johnson. Sharing a national stage with some of the best poets in the country only sharpened Nieves’ skills and deepened his commitment to using poetry as a vehicle for storytelling and transformation.

Featured Performances and Recordings

Joseph Nieves’ dynamic performances have been featured on platforms beyond the stage. He was highlighted on the influential spoken word podcast Indiefeed, bringing his evocative work to a worldwide audience. His poems — often balancing humor with heartbreak, nostalgia with grit — resonate with listeners because of their vivid honesty and accessible style.

Whether recounting bittersweet memories of family life, unpacking the meaning of heroes and myths, or exploring the complexities of growing up amid shifting identities, Nieves’ poetry captures moments with a sharp, unflinching eye.

Academic and Literary Contributions

While perfecting his craft on the mic, Nieves also pursued academic excellence. He studied English at Mesa Community College before continuing at Westminster, where his passion for literature extended into leadership. He frequently hosted discussions, literary salons, and community events aimed at making literature more accessible and exciting to a new generation of readers and writers.

His belief in the power of storytelling — whether on a comic book page, in a poetry slam, or around a discussion table — has always been central to his mission as both a writer and educator.

Current Work: Nurturing Readers in Tempe, Arizona

Today, Joseph Nieves continues to share his love of words as the manager of a beloved bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. In his role, he fosters community engagement around books and creativity, helping to nurture the next wave of readers, writers, and poets.

While his professional life is rooted in literature, Joseph has never lost touch with his roots in performance poetry. His background in both comic book mythology and slam poetry gives his work a unique flavor — one that blends the fantastical with the deeply personal.

Whether he’s recommending graphic novels to customers, organizing literary events, or stepping up to a microphone for an impromptu reading, Joseph Nieves remains dedicated to the written and spoken word.

Joseph Nieves’ Impact on Arizona’s Literary Scene

As a poet, performer, educator, and community builder, Joseph Nieves embodies the spirit of Arizona’s literary culture — vibrant, diverse, resilient, and endlessly creative. His journey from a comic shop in San Jose to the slam stages of Flagstaff and beyond serves as an inspiring testament to the power of storytelling to transform lives.

Joseph Nieves’ story is a reminder that the seeds of creativity can be planted anywhere — even in the most unexpected corners — and that with passion and perseverance, those seeds can bloom into art that touches hearts across generations.

Doc Luben

April 24, 2025

Doc Luben: A Powerhouse of Performance Poetry in Arizona and Beyond

Doc Luben is a dynamic voice in American performance poetry—a writer, educator, stage actor, and slam champion whose impact spans from the comic book conventions of Phoenix to the literary circles of Portland and Tucson. Known for his emotionally charged storytelling, razor-sharp wit, and captivating stage presence, Doc is a two-time Poetry Slam Champion of Portland, Oregon and a finalist at the 2013 Individual World Poetry Slam. In Arizona, he claimed the title of Tucson Poetry Slam Champion in 2009 and has continued to inspire new generations of poets across the Southwest.

Whether he’s headlining comic conventions, teaching workshops in schools, or weaving narratives that balance heartbreak with humor, Doc Luben’s work proves that poetry is not just alive—it’s electric.

CalArts to Comic Cons: An Artist with Nerd Credentials

Doc Luben studied at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a progressive, interdisciplinary institution known for producing some of the most adventurous artists of our time. There, he honed his ability to blur the lines between spoken word, theater, and literature—developing a distinct style equal parts literary and pop culture-savvy.

A longtime fixture at geek gatherings like Phoenix ComicCon and Rose City ComicCon, Doc is no stranger to the intersection of art and fandom. As a panelist and performer at the 2010 Phoenix ComicCon Nerd Slam, he proved that poetry could coexist with cosplay, and that the language of the heart speaks fluently in comic book references.

Doc Luben in Arizona: A Voice for the Desert’s Dreamers

Though his performances have earned him acclaim nationwide, Doc has deep ties to Arizona’s poetry community. His work in Tucson’s vibrant slam scene earned him the 2009 championship, and his involvement with the Arizona Classical Theater introduced audiences to a playwright equally adept at verse and dramatic form. As a teaching artist, he has facilitated countless youth workshops across the state, using poetry as a vehicle for empowerment, resistance, and self-discovery.

Doc has been a featured performer at nearly every major poetry venue in Arizona—including Lawn Gnome Publishing in downtown Phoenix, where he has headlined many times, bringing his signature mix of vulnerable truth-telling and theatrical flair.

What Makes Doc Luben’s Poetry Unique?

Doc’s work is a masterclass in the art of confession without self-pity. His poems often walk a tightrope between the tragic and the comic, confronting trauma, masculinity, queerness, addiction, heartbreak, and mental health with a voice that is at once devastatingly honest and refreshingly irreverent.

His performances are built like one-act plays, drawing audiences into worlds where vulnerability is weaponized and laughter is a survival tactic. Whether telling the story of a failed relationship with the fervor of a tent preacher or exploring personal grief with subtle surrealism, Doc never flinches—and neither does his audience.

Teaching the Next Generation: Subversive Workshops and Youth Outreach

For more than 20 years, Doc Luben has worked with young people in classrooms, after-school programs, and poetry slams to build confidence, encourage storytelling, and teach the mechanics of great writing. His workshops are known for being radically inclusive, emotionally safe, and artistically daring.

His teaching method, like his poetry, doesn’t talk down to students. Instead, it invites them to speak up—loudly, fearlessly, and with the full range of their lived experience.

Digital Presence and Legacy Work

Though known primarily for his stage work, Doc Luben also maintains a digital presence through platforms like Tumblr, where fans can engage with his written work and stay up to date on live performances. His blog, doclubenpoetry.tumblr.com, is a trove of archived poems, thoughts on writing, and updates from the road.

As the national poetry scene evolves, Doc remains a beacon of what’s possible when spoken word poetry is fused with theatrical storytelling, literary precision, and social commentary.

Influence and Collaborations

Doc’s influence extends far beyond his own body of work. He has mentored dozens of young poets who have gone on to become champions in their own right, and has collaborated with visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and playwrights across the country. His poetry has been featured at slams, literary festivals, and fringe theaters, as well as incorporated into interdisciplinary performances that combine lighting design, soundscapes, and live performance.

Signature Poems and Performances

Among the most iconic pieces in Doc’s arsenal are poems that blend personal narrative with biting cultural critique. Many of these works have been performed to standing ovations in national competitions, featured on slam poetry YouTube channels, and taught in college-level literature and performance studies classes.

Some recurring themes in his work include:

The conflict between performance and authenticity
Grief and the lingering ghosts of childhood trauma
Queer identity and the politics of masculinity
Escapism through pop culture and fandom
The failures and small redemptions of everyday love

Doc Luben and the Legacy of Slam Poetry

Doc Luben emerged during the golden era of slam, alongside poets like Anis Mojgani, Rachel McKibbens, and Mighty Mike McGee. His work captures the spirit of that movement—part confessional, part theatrical, wholly raw—and continues to evolve with today’s changing poetry landscape.

He’s also part of the living history of slam’s influence in the Southwest. Like The Klute, Myrlin Hepworth, and Tomas Stanton, Doc has helped shape Arizona’s performance poetry community into one that prizes emotional intelligence, intersectionality, and stagecraft.

Doc Luben in His Own Words

As Doc once famously declared onstage:

“We are all soft parts and lightning bolts.”

That poetic duality—the tender vulnerability and the sudden, crackling insight—is at the heart of everything he writes and performs.

Where to See Doc Luben Next

Though he’s no longer competing on the slam circuit, Doc continues to perform at select venues and teach workshops across Arizona and beyond. Follow his poetry and updates on his Tumblr blog, and check AZPoetry.com’s events calendar to see when he’ll next hit the mic.

Final Thoughts: The Poet as Survivor

At his core, Doc Luben is a survivor—of trauma, addiction, heartbreak, and all the other broken things that make a poet a poet. His work is a blueprint for finding humor in the pain, power in the vulnerability, and art in the aftermath.

For audiences across the country—and especially for Arizona’s poetic landscape—Doc Luben is a legend, a mentor, and a reminder that even the darkest story deserves to be told.

David Tabor

April 10, 2025

David Tabor: Analog Artist, Photographer, and Arizona Poet

A Creative Rooted in Arizona’s Poetry and Art Scene

David Tabor is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey blends poetry, photography, and performance. Based in Arizona, Tabor made his early mark in the local poetry slam community, creating zines that featured his work and the work of fellow poets. His passion for the written word evolved alongside his deep love of visual storytelling—capturing life through analog photography and hand-crafted zines.

Poetry Slam Veteran and DIY Publisher

Tabor was an active voice in Phoenix’s spoken word scene, performing and producing zines during the Essenza Coffee Shop days. His eye for aesthetics and reverence for authenticity gave rise to a body of work that valued intimacy, imperfection, and the handmade. Zines were often his publishing medium of choice, a perfect format for sharing raw, immediate poetic experiences with a grassroots audience.

A Return to Analog Photography

During the pandemic, Tabor returned to one of his earliest creative loves: analog photography. Drawing on skills he developed in the ’90s, he embraced traditional film, darkroom printing, and a slower, more contemplative process. In just a few years, he produced four photo zines and honed a distinctive style centered on “finding beauty in what’s already there.”

His photographic work often explores ordinary moments and overlooked textures of urban and natural spaces. Through zines and hand-printed darkroom pieces, Tabor invites audiences to experience stillness and see the poetry embedded in the everyday.

Collaboration and Connection

One of his proudest accomplishments is a collaborative photo book with artist Lisa Tang Liu. The project was a labor of love—combining visual artistry and editorial rigor, and pushing Tabor’s creative boundaries further than ever before.

Bells, Books, and Improvisation

When he’s not behind the camera, David Tabor works as a bell maker and staff photographer at Cosanti Originals in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The overlap of craftsmanship in both photography and bronze casting has become part of his artistic ethos—use the tools at hand, trust the process, and let the work speak for itself.

A man of many talents, Tabor is also an ordained minister. He once performed spontaneous wedding ceremonies during “7 Minutes in Heaven,” a beloved performance series at Phoenix’s Space 55 Theater.

The Perspective of Time

Tabor attributes much of his recent success to personal growth and perspective. Once deterred by self-doubt, he’s come to embrace failure as a stepping stone in the creative process. Whether through poetry, photography, or zines, David Tabor continues to explore new frontiers while remaining rooted in authenticity and intention.

Jeff Falk

April 10, 2025

Jeff Falk: Visual Artist, Poet, and Arizona Arts Icon

From the Heartland to the Desert

Born in Nebraska and raised in Kansas, Jeff Falk moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona in 1959. Since then, he has firmly rooted himself in the Arizona arts scene as both a groundbreaking visual artist and an influential figure in the world of spoken word poetry. His creative contributions—spanning visual media, poetry, and community-building—have made Falk a cornerstone of the Grand Avenue arts movement in downtown Phoenix.

A Creative Force in Phoenix Since 1984

Since the early 1980s, Falk has been developing a uniquely expressive style through mixed media art. Working with painting, drawing, collage/decollage, glue, wood, paper, and found objects, he believes that “a work of art is the sum of its parts”—each piece a fusion of tangible materials and intangible personal experiences. Falk often employs “materials at hand” as a philosophical approach to creativity, emphasizing authenticity, resourcefulness, and intuitive composition.

Champion of Spoken Word Poetry in Arizona

While Falk is primarily known as a visual artist, his impact on Arizona’s poetry scene is equally significant. As the founder of the gallery Deus Ex Machina on Grand Avenue, he created a welcoming and experimental venue for poets and artists alike. It was at this gallery that Falk launched “The Poetry Industrial Complex” and “Caffeine Corridor,” two beloved spoken word series that became integral to the development of Phoenix’s contemporary poetry scene.

Many Arizona poets—including Jack Evans, Bill Campana, and Shawnte Orion—credit Jeff Falk with offering a creative home where they could grow their voices and find their audience. These events became cultural institutions, giving a platform to emerging and established writers while blurring the lines between performance, activism, and art.

Poetry as Communication and Critique

Jeff Falk’s poetic philosophy is as uncompromising and insightful as his artwork. He writes with the belief that “getting inside other people’s heads with words is the last vestige of semi-honest communication left in a world that mistakes opinions for fact, celebrities for heroes, loudness for meaning, and glitz and glamor for truth.” His poetry cuts through noise, offering readers sharp, poignant reflections on society, identity, and the human experience.

A Legacy of Raw Creativity and Community

Whether in a gallery or behind a microphone, Falk has spent decades inspiring Arizona’s creative community through honesty, originality, and unfiltered expression. His commitment to nurturing the arts has left a permanent mark on Phoenix’s cultural identity.

Ain't I An American by Jeremiah Blue Poem AZpoetry.com

And Ain’t I An American by Jeremiah Blue

April 10, 2025

“And Ain’t I An American” by Jeremiah Blue

I do appreciate the eagle
but not enough to call it American
and tattoo it on my arm with banners
of “God Bless the USA”

Because I am hoping that the US will be
just one amongst others blessed by God

And ain’t I an American?

I am trying to free Tibet with the bumper of my car
rather than replacing it with an American flag

I think that free-trade zones aren’t often all that free

I wrote a poem about my national pride
and it didn’t say anything about keeping the Mexicans out

Being a small minority of the world’s population
while consuming nearly half its resources
sounds like a comfortable enough position
to not be all that well threatened by immigrants
sending paychecks home to impoverished families

And ain’t I an American?

I took classes in non-violent resistance
rather than studying my enemy for weaknesses
because ‘fighting for peace’ is like
‘fucking for virginity’
Sounds like a pretty reasonable argument to me?

And ain’t I an American?

Fox: not my primary source of news.

Reality TV doesn’t look anything like my reality.

I left my Top Gun jacket and mullet
in the era they came our and perished in

I am drinking Guinness over Bud Light every time

I prefer salsa and flamenco to Garth Brooks

I think hot dogs are immoral

and I haven’t been to a baseball game
since Baby Ruth named its candy bar after that one guy

And ain’t I an American?

I don’t think you need to be a lesbian
or a woman that is mad to be a feminist

I feel it is a more productive move away from institutionalized racism
to not fill our prisons with a majority of our black and brown men

I am starting to think that it has been just a little too long
since we have had a non-male or non-religious president

There are times when the thought crosses my mind
that the American Dream is just something
that those who have been handed it
dreamed up to keep
everyone else dreamin’

And America does not, at all times,
make me proud to be an American

And ain’t I an American?

About the poet Jeremiah Blue

Exploring National Identity in Jeremiah Blue’s “And Ain’t I An American”

Jeremiah Blue’s poem “And Ain’t I An American”, originally published in 2012, offers a thought-provoking examination of American identity, challenging conventional symbols and notions of patriotism. Through a series of introspective reflections, Blue invites readers to reconsider what it truly means to be an American in today’s diverse society.

Summary of “And Ain’t I An American”

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging traditional emblems of American patriotism, such as the eagle and the phrase “God Bless the USA.” However, the speaker expresses a desire for inclusivity, hoping that divine blessings extend beyond the United States to encompass all nations. This sentiment sets the tone for the poem’s exploration of broader, more inclusive definitions of national pride.

Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on various personal choices and beliefs that diverge from mainstream American norms:

Opting for a “Free Tibet” bumper sticker over an American flag decal.
Questioning the fairness of free-trade zones.
Writing about national pride without advocating for restrictive immigration policies.
Highlighting the disproportionate consumption of global resources by a small segment of the world’s population.
Choosing non-violent resistance over aggressive tactics.
Expressing skepticism toward mainstream media and reality television.
Preferring cultural elements from other countries, such as Guinness over Bud Light and salsa over country music.

The poem culminates with the speaker contemplating systemic issues within American society, including institutionalized racism, gender inequality in political leadership, and the elusive nature of the American Dream. Despite these critiques, the recurring refrain, “And ain’t I an American?” underscores the speaker’s assertion of their American identity, suggesting that questioning and critical reflection are integral components of true patriotism.

Analysis of Themes and Techniques

Jeremiah Blue employs several literary devices to convey the poem’s central themes:

Refrain: The repeated question, “And ain’t I an American?” serves as a powerful refrain, emphasizing the speaker’s challenge to narrow definitions of American identity and highlighting the diversity of experiences and beliefs that constitute the nation.
Irony and Satire: By juxtaposing traditional symbols of patriotism with personal choices that deviate from the norm, the poem utilizes irony to question the authenticity of conventional expressions of national pride.
Cultural Critique: The poem addresses various societal issues, including consumerism, media influence, systemic racism, and gender inequality, prompting readers to reflect on the complexities and contradictions inherent in American society.
Personal Reflection: Through the speaker’s candid sharing of personal preferences and beliefs, the poem underscores the importance of individual agency in defining one’s own sense of patriotism and belonging.

Overall, “And Ain’t I An American” invites readers to engage in a nuanced exploration of national identity, encouraging a more inclusive and critical understanding of what it means to be American.

Discover More About Jeremiah Blue

To learn more about Jeremiah Blue’s work and contributions to contemporary poetry, visit his poet bio page on AZpoetry.com.

David Chorlton

April 9, 2025

David Chorlton: Bridging Continents Through Poetry

From Austria to Arizona: A Journey Across Cultures

Born in Austria in 1948, David Chorlton spent his formative years in Manchester, England, amidst the industrial landscapes of the northern region. In his early twenties, he relocated to Vienna, Austria, where he immersed himself in the rich European art and music scene. In 1978, Chorlton moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Roberta, marking the beginning of a profound connection with the American Southwest.

A Deep Connection with the Desert Landscape

Settling in Arizona, Chorlton developed a profound appreciation for the desert’s unique beauty and its diverse wildlife. This admiration is vividly reflected in his poetry, which often explores themes of nature and the environment. His collection, The Porous Desert, exemplifies this focus, offering readers an intimate portrayal of the Arizona landscape.

Acclaimed Works and Literary Contributions

Throughout his literary career, Chorlton has produced an impressive array of poetry collections. Notable works include:

Poetry Mountain
Waiting for the Quetzal (March Street Press)
The Devil’s Sonata (FutureCycle Press, 2012)
Selected Poems (FutureCycle Press, 2014)

His chapbooks have also garnered recognition, with The Lost River winning the Ronald Wardall Award from Rain Mountain Press in 2008, and From the Age of Miracles securing the Slipstream Chapbook Competition in 2009.

Exploring Fiction and Translation

Beyond poetry, Chorlton ventured into fiction with The Taste of Fog, a novel set in 1962 Vienna that delves into the complexities of a murder investigation. Additionally, he has contributed to literary translation, bringing to English audiences the works of Austrian poet Christine Lavant in Shatter the Bell in My Ear, published by The Bitter Oleander Press.

A Voice in Anthologies and Exhibitions

Chorlton’s poetry has been featured in various anthologies, including Fever Dreams (University of Arizona Press) and New Poets of the American West (Many Voices Press). His work also played a role in the “Fires of Change” exhibition, a collaboration between artists and scientists addressing the impact of climate change on forest management.

Hang On To Your Chairs Ass Bomb poem by Bill Campana AZpoetry.com

Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb) by Bill Campana

April 9, 2025

“Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb)” by Bill Campana

Hang on to your chairs, I’m going back to school.

I’m getting my degree, a doctorate in science.
I’m going to MIT to study mathematics, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics
and whatever else it takes to get me to achieve my goal.

Because I am going to invent a bomb
a bomb that will shame all other bombs
I’m going to invent a bomb that will kill no one,
but will wipe everybody on their ass
right off your feet
flat on your ass
and then I am going to fire up another one
just in case I might have missed some people
who were sitting at the time
and then had gotten up just to investigate the commotion.

All over the world, on the appointed day
phones will ring.
The people calling will say,
“I fell on my ass at 10 o’clock this morning.”
and the people they are speaking with will reply,
“That’s funny… so did I…”

Newspapers will print enormous headlines:

AND THEN WE ALL FALL DOWN

DEATH TOLL ZERO AS WORLD FALLS ON ITS’ ASS

BILL UNLEASHES WEAPON OF ASS DESTRUCTION

I will show you,
that you can have a sense of humor,
that mass destruction just ain’t where it’s at.

Not terrorism, but performance terrorism.

So like that bomb the Soviet Union
dropped on us in the mid-sixties,
that bomb that made everybody want to say
the word “fuck”
freely
in public
forever.

Man, that was fucked up.

But when I walk down the street
with my silver squared
and my beard held high
people will say, “there goes Bill.
He invented the Ass Bomb.
He’s really not such a bad guy.”

I can see it now.
I will become Time Magazine’s “Ass of the Year”.
I will win the Nobel Prize for Ass
and with my winnings,
support an network of underground ass-droppers.
Getting through airport security
will be as easy as dropping trow.

And you will thank me.
Someday, you will ALL thank me,
from the bottom of your bottoms,
for being making global terrorism silly
and ground zero cleanup
nothing more than dusting off your pants.

So, hang on to your chairs.

I don’t know how I’m going to do this.
But, I’ll never find out
until I get up off my ass
and try.

Transcribed from “Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb) from The Hit List 2 by Bill Campana.

Listen to the poem “Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb)” from the spoken word album The Hit List 2 by Bill Campana.

About the poet Bill Campana

Summary and Analysis of “Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb)” by Bill Campana

Bill Campana’s poem “Hang On To Your Chairs (Ass Bomb)” is a wild, irreverent ride through performance poetry and political satire, packed with wit, absurdity, and a surprising undercurrent of hope. With his trademark humor and grounded delivery, Campana envisions a world-changing invention—not a bomb of destruction, but one of disruption. This imagined “Ass Bomb” doesn’t kill or harm. Instead, it knocks everyone flat on their backsides—an act that, in the poet’s vision, serves to unite, disarm, and humble humanity in one shared, absurd experience.

Summary

In this hilarious and sharply satirical piece, the speaker declares his intention to go back to school and study complex sciences—quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and mathematics—not to build a weapon of mass destruction, but a weapon of “ass destruction.” This bomb won’t maim or kill; it will simply knock everyone off their feet. Whether standing, sitting, walking, or talking on the phone, people around the world will fall to the ground in synchronized, undignified unison.

The poet imagines global headlines reacting to this act of performance terrorism:

“AND THEN WE ALL FALL DOWN”
“DEATH TOLL ZERO AS WORLD FALLS ON ITS’ ASS”
“BILL UNLEASHES WEAPON OF ASS DESTRUCTION”

The piece swerves between the ridiculous and the reflective, revealing the poet’s wish for a gentler, funnier kind of revolution—one that uses laughter instead of violence. He points to a cultural shift in the 1960s where, in his words, “that bomb that made everybody want to say the word ‘fuck’ freely in public forever” broke down barriers of censorship. Now, his own imagined bomb would break down political and ideological barriers with comedy, reminding people that “mass destruction just ain’t where it’s at.”

By the end, the poem circles back to a personal call to action. The speaker doesn’t yet know how he’ll accomplish this dream, but one thing is certain: he has to get up off his ass and try.

Analysis

Campana masterfully uses humor to critique our obsession with violence, weaponry, and the spectacle of destruction. By flipping the traditional function of a bomb—from devastation to harmless absurdity—he challenges societal norms around power and conflict resolution. His “Ass Bomb” becomes a metaphor for a unifying jolt, an equalizer that reminds everyone—world leaders, ordinary citizens, and even the poet himself—that we all fall down sometimes.

This poem is classic Bill Campana: irreverent, self-aware, deeply human, and delivered with a wink and a truth bomb. The poem functions not just as a performance piece, but also as a vision for an alternative kind of power—one that doesn’t rely on fear but on humility, connection, and shared laughter.

It’s also a subtle commentary on agency and action. As the poem ends with,

“I don’t know how I’m going to do this. / But I’ll never find out / until I get up off my ass / and try.”

Campana speaks not just of his fictitious invention, but of the creative act itself—the need to rise and create, even if you don’t have the blueprint yet.

➡️ Ready to experience more of Bill Campana’s bold, boundary-pushing poetry?
Visit his poet bio page on AZPoetry.com and discover why he’s considered one of the most iconic voices in Arizona’s spoken word scene.

Valerie Martínez

April 2, 2025

Valerie Martínez: Poet, Educator, and Advocate for Art, History, and Healing

Valerie Martínez is a celebrated American poet, writer, educator, translator, and arts administrator whose work transcends the boundaries of genre and discipline. Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Martínez’s poetry is deeply rooted in the cultural, historical, and ecological landscape of the American Southwest. A descendant of both Spanish colonizers and Indigenous peoples, she brings a rich ancestral perspective to her writing—an intersection of memory, identity, and place.

From Santa Fe to the World: Life, Education, and Travel

Valerie Martínez left Santa Fe in 1979 to attend Vassar College, earning her A.B. in English and American Literature. She later pursued an MFA in Creative Writing/Poetry at the University of Arizona. Her life and poetry have been shaped by extensive travels across the United States and around the globe—including long stays in Swaziland (now Eswatini), Israel, Japan, South Africa, and Latin America.

Martínez’s time abroad, especially her years teaching English in Southern Africa, gave her a broad cultural perspective that informs the themes of empathy, environmental stewardship, and social justice that permeate her work.

A Distinguished Career in Education and Literary Arts

Before returning to New Mexico permanently in 2003, Martínez served as a college professor for more than 23 years, teaching courses in poetry, American literature, women’s literature, Latino/a literature, and Native American literature. From 2018 to 2021, she served as Director of History and Literary Arts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

Her dedication to the intersection of art and community also led her to co-found Littleglobe, Inc., and later, the nonprofit arts and social change organization Artful Life. Most recently, she led the groundbreaking CHART project (Culture, History, Art, Reconciliation, and Truth), facilitating a year-long community engagement process addressing the complex cultural history of Santa Fe through inclusive storytelling and healing.

A Legacy of Poetry That Speaks to the World

Valerie Martínez is the author of six poetry collections, two chapbooks, and a book of translations. Her groundbreaking poetry blends lyricism with political and ecological awareness, giving voice to the voiceless and illuminating histories too often overlooked.

Notable Poetry Collections:

Count (University of Arizona Press, 2021)
A hybrid book-length poem that examines climate change through myth, personal memory, environmental data, and global storytelling. Count was adapted into a choral composition titled As the Waters Began to Rise by composer Peter Gilbert.
Each and Her (University of Arizona Press, 2010)
A powerful meditation on femicide and violence against women, particularly the murdered and disappeared women of Juárez, Mexico. The book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and received the 2011 Arizona Book Award.
Absence, Luminescent (Four Way Books, 1999; reissued 2010)
Her debut collection, which won the Larry Levis Prize and a Greenwall Grant from the Academy of American Poets. Jean Valentine praised it as “expansive, surprising, intelligent… filled with compassion.”
World to World (University of Arizona Press, 2004)
A collection that continues Martínez’s exploration of identity, ancestry, and spiritual inheritance.
And They Called it Horizon (Sunstone Press, 2010)
Written during her tenure as Poet Laureate of Santa Fe, this collection reflects her deep connection to place and community.

Publications, Honors, and Influence

Martínez’s poetry has been widely published in esteemed literary journals such as Poetry, American Poetry Review, AGNI, The Colorado Review, and Mandorla. Her work also appears in more than 30 anthologies including The Best American Poetry.

A frequent guest speaker and reader at national literary festivals and universities, Martínez continues to inspire a new generation of poets with her genre-blending work and community-focused approach to art.

Her poem “Bowl” was featured in the PBS/Poetry Foundation “Poetry Everywhere” series and was also set to music by composer Glen Roven and performed by soprano Talise Trevigne. Another poem, “September, 2001,” was featured in The Washington Post‘s “Poet’s Choice” column.

Poetry as Artful Action

What sets Valerie Martínez apart is her unwavering belief in the power of poetry as a tool for transformation—not just personal, but communal and ecological. Her work invites readers to bear witness, to reflect, and to act.

Whether she’s writing about climate change, cultural memory, femicide, or the beauty of New Mexico’s landscape, her poems ask us to reconsider the stories we tell and the silences we keep.