I send letters and Bottles across bodies of water or folded up and flown over the Peaks addressed to the summer summer is a star-eyed space cadet called me Stardust in the making I wrote back don’t forget your belly laugh is my childhood toy chest you taught me how to speak up gutsy back when I was gunshy31 and a winter as beautiful as Robert Frost epat since then some car accidents thick black stitches and outpatient surgery I now realize we are Playing for Keeps and I am Sleepless but I still want hot coffee and good times for dreamers the heart is fragile shelter but I want it fresh final steady before we said I miss you wish you smiled more you sturdy banister heart monitor sidekick they won’t play you my glues forever I won’t always be there to rim shot your punchline I know because the stars are in season and they only smell sweeter the older we get don’t they there was a time when I wi outed stargazed with so many questions all piano glissando and shimmering Christmas light spinning under willow trees chasing the fireflies even now with my ghosts the nightmares of sweet nothing I once met a woman with her mother’s last heartbeat tattooed on her wrist and I realized love could be life’s tender mercy and keep us strong keep us head above water keep us heart pumping that raw ink calligraphy and painting our dreams on the Twilight streets of anywhere life sometimes strikes me as rusher let the way you die younger bear witness to death with the grace of a passer by and Perfect Stranger summer skull curse frights me every sunset summer don’t remember me Shipwrecked Only Sunrise Breakfast light is the pendant that hangs from your necklace your beauty begets a crowd like an ink be Stadium still letting off heat and I know I’ve been the Distortion making something heavy out of your sweetest Melody for some time now but no regrets we are not just our smoke flying Skyward like a soul from the exit wound born up by seraphs we are not just our heavy hearts and solemn goodbyes we are heart Menders open eyes bright as the moon let your gaze hold me like high tide sing me the Blues
atlas st. cloud: Poet, Advocate, and Voice for Queer and Disabled Communities
atlas st. cloud is a poet from Phoenix, Arizona, who uses his writing to explore themes of gender, queerness, mental health, and disability. Raised in the conservative traditions of the Mormon faith, atlas’s work is deeply personal, often grappling with the complexities of identity, faith, and self-discovery. His poetry offers a lens into the lived experiences of a disabled queer person navigating societal norms and expectations.
Both books were published by Kith Books, a publisher that specializes in amplifying marginalized voices. These collections delve into the intersections of disability, queerness, and mental health, with an honest, raw, and often heart-wrenching perspective. Atlas’s work is recognized for its ability to bring together personal reflection with broader social commentary, making his poetry both intimate and universal.
His writing confronts the difficulties of reconciling his upbringing with his identity, offering readers a unique window into the pain, growth, and resilience that comes from challenging the boundaries imposed by society and faith.
Performance and Community Involvement
In addition to his written work, atlas st. cloud has performed at key poetry venues in the Phoenix area, including The Phoenix Poetry Slam and Ghost Poetry Show.
Both of these platforms have allowed Atlas to reach wider audiences and share his deeply affecting poetry with those who may have similar struggles or experiences. His performances are known for their emotional intensity and thought-provoking content, blending vulnerability with empowerment.
Themes in His Work
Atlas’s poetry often focuses on themes of:
Gender identity and queerness: He writes about the challenges and triumphs of existing as a queer person in a world that can be hostile to non-normative identities.
Mental health: atlas uses his own experiences to write about the complexities of mental health struggles, particularly from the perspective of someone navigating these challenges as a disabled person.
Disability: His work speaks to the realities of living with a disability, addressing both the personal aspects and the societal barriers that disabled individuals face.
Faith and religion: Raised in the Mormon faith, Atlas’s writing frequently engages with questions of faith, often critiquing the constraints and expectations imposed by religious institutions, while simultaneously exploring the role of faith in personal identity.
Personal Life and Identity
atlas st. cloud’s personal history of growing up within the Mormon Church deeply informs his writing. His poetry is a reflection of his journey toward self-acceptance and understanding of his own identity as a queer, disabled person. atlas has used his work to challenge traditional narratives and expand the conversation about what it means to live authentically while navigating the confines of societal and religious expectations.
Living in Phoenix, Arizona, atlas remains an active participant in the local poetry scene and continues to use his work as a platform for advocacy, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality and amplifying marginalized voices.
Legacy and Impact
atlas st. cloud is part of a new generation of poets whose work is pushing the boundaries of what poetry can achieve in terms of activism and self-expression. His commitment to exploring difficult themes and his willingness to be vulnerable on stage and in his writing make him an essential voice in contemporary poetry. Through his work, he provides a space for those who often feel unseen, offering both solidarity and inspiration.
To learn more about st. cloud and his poetry, visit Kith Books or look for his performances at poetry venues across Phoenix.
st. cloud’s work continues to resonate with readers and listeners, offering hope, truth, and a raw examination of life at the intersections of queerness, disability, and mental health. His ability to blend personal experience with larger social issues makes him an important voice in today’s poetry landscape.
Introducing Sarge Lintecum: a remarkable individual whose journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to the stages of blues clubs and concert venues is nothing short of extraordinary. Sarge, a highly decorated combat veteran with three tours in Vietnam, discovered solace in writing about the unspoken traumas of war after two decades of living in near-seclusion. His writings evolved into soulful blues songs, accompanied by his mastery of the harmonica and the twelve-bar blues.
Buy Vietnam Blues by Sarge Lintecum on Amazon
Sarge embarked on a musical odyssey, gracing open mic blues clubs with his poignant performances, unaware that this was the inception of a career that would span over three decades. Sponsored by Lee Oskar Harmonicas, he became a nationally acclaimed blues singer, songwriter, poet, and harmonica virtuoso.
Throughout his extensive career, Sarge has captivated audiences across the nation, performing at diverse venues, including schools, colleges, and universities. His Vietnam Blues Show, featuring music from his acclaimed recordings, is a powerful testament to his unique blend of musical prowess, storytelling, and heartfelt poetry. Sarge Lintecum continues to be a living testament to the healing power of music and the arts in overcoming the scars of war.
Discover and learn more about poets and poetry from Arizona HERE.
Nestled in the heart of Sedona, Arizona, amidst the striking red rock formations and the whispered secrets of the desert winds, resides a poet whose verses echo with the rugged beauty of the Southwest. Christopher Fox Graham, affectionately known as CFG, is not merely a poet and writer; he is a literary force that has left an indelible mark on the Northern Arizona poetry scene.
The Journey Begins
Graham’s poetic odyssey began in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he represented the city on an astounding twelve National Poetry Slam teams. A true testament to his unwavering commitment and artistry, Graham’s participation spanned from 2001 to 2018, showcasing his enduring love for the craft. Each performance was a melodic tapestry of words and emotions, a testament to the power of language in the hands of a master wordsmith.
The Mastermind Behind the Mic
In the mystical realm of Sedona’s poetry scene, Graham assumes the role of slammaster, guiding the poetic spirits of the community. His influence extends beyond the stage, as he orchestrates the rhythm of Sedona’s slam poetry gatherings, creating an atmosphere where words flow like desert rivers, carving their paths through the minds of listeners.
A Global Poetic Odyssey
Graham’s journey as a poet has extended far beyond the boundaries of the United States. In 2002, he embarked on the “Save the Male Tour,” a four-man international spoken word tour. This journey took his verses across borders and cultures, proving that the power of poetry transcends geographical confines.
The Competitive Spirit
Graham’s poetry is marked not only by its lyrical beauty but also by a competitive streak that has defined his journey. He is renowned as one of the most statistically obsessive slam poets in Northern Arizona. His relentless pursuit of excellence and success on the slam poetry stage has not always been without strife, but it is this very drive that has pushed him to poetic heights.
Jedis and Padawans
Graham has a unique perspective on the world of slam poetry, believing that all slam poets are like Jedi knights in the realm of words. In keeping with this philosophy, he has dedicated himself to mentoring aspiring poets through the Erus/Parvalas Mentorship and his Treatise on Slam Strategy. Like a wise Jedi guiding their padawans, Graham imparts his knowledge and insight to the next generation of slam poets.
Verses Beyond Borders
Graham’s poetry has transcended the stage and the written page. His words have resonated across the airwaves, reaching audiences through MTV’s “Made” and The Travel Channel‘s “Your Travel Guide” episode of Sedona. He has taken his poetry on a grand tour, sharing his verses in nearly 40 states, Canada, Ireland, and Great Britain. His verses have become a bridge, connecting hearts and minds across oceans and continents.
Christopher Fox Graham, or CFG, is more than a poet; he is a living testament to the enduring power of words. His journey has been one of poetic exploration, competition, mentorship, and connection. He has etched his verses into the landscape of Sedona and the annals of slam poetry history. As the red rocks of Arizona stand steadfast, so too does CFG’s legacy in the world of poetry, a legacy that will continue to inspire and shape the poetic voices of the future.
