“Sarah’s style is like sweet cello strings in autumn” has to be one of the top 5 best compliments I’ve ever received. If you are anywhere near Glendale, join me on Saturday, September 5th with Kenny Copeland at Expressions L.A. from 2 to 4 pm. More details or RSVP on Facebook!
For the second year in a row, I am joining forces with the ZZyZx Writers on the Poetrypalooza Tour! This year, we’ll be at DiPiazza’s on August 9th from 3:00-6:30. Hosted by Nathan Douglas, this event features many amazing talents such as Shy But Flyy, Richard Torres, Terry Wright, Fernando Gallegos, and musical guests Robby Ravenwood and the Fun House Porcupines. Come out for a fun filled afternoon, stay for some of the best pizza in town!
Our favorite independent bookstore is turning 5 years old! We are celebrating with an all-star reading on Saturday, August 1st, at 7 pm. I will be joining some of my favorite local poets and story tellers for an epic reading event. RSVP on Facebook for more details!
5535 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90808
On May 17th, I had the honor of once again reading with Dave Williams & MBT at CALB at the Shore. I shared my time with four other female power poets, JL Martindale, Raundi Moore-Kondo, Elmast Kozloyan, and MsT Musze. We were all dazzled by the incredible improvisational talents of Dave’s jazz crew, Magic Bullet Theory. Even though traveling back in time is not an option if you missed it, you can actually hear all the performances on Bandcamp. If that wasn’t enough, you can download them in two volumes for FREE.
Listen or download at mbtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/prose-rhythm-and-noise-muliebrity-vol-1 and mbtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/prose-rhythm-and-noise-muliebrity-vol-2.
On Tuesday, June 23rd at 1 p.m., I will be joining the one and only Amélie Frank at the Spoken Word Club of Laguna Woods. This monthly reading in the past has featured some of my favorite poets, including JL Martindale, Raundi Moore-Kondo, and Ricki Mandeville. If that wasn’t enough, Ellyn Maybe is now co-hosting the event! Find and follow them on Facebook to get the most current information: Spoken Word Club of Laguna Woods.
I love the teeth of your love
how you pit-bull deep
into the flesh of loving
How you make shrines
in the empty spaces,
abandoned apartments
Shrines to former residents
of borrowed books and toiletries
envelopes full of photographs
and letters in pen
How you never fill
the same space with new
but keep building out
expand the frames and floors
How you know when to change the locks
and when to nail it shut
I love how you calculate
estimate the risk
How you trust
the unnamed algorithm
the intuitive push, flashing “Yes,
love this one, let that one in!”
How soft your wrought-iron grip
holds every name tight
each face, its own story
each moment, a glass in your pane
How you refuse to argue
about the wrong
or right way to love
I love how so much of it matters
how you will forgive
as many times
as they will call
and ask for it
How you defend this weakness
with the expense of wasted time
Your time-to-give being
your love currency
not words, not gifts,
not your doing-for-me
But your minutes and hours
your speak to me, eat with me
your listen and watch with me
sit in this space of air
I breathe with me is love
I love how love-greedy you get
How you collect time
and stuff it in bags and boxes
shove it on shelves, in closets
covering walls, blocking doorways
in empty apartments
You guard-dog this house
an unapologetic hoarder
How you refuse to purge it
refuse to loosen your grip
Set shrines in windowsills
light blood candles
There is always room
for more
2-3-14
Originally published in Silver Birch Press, Self-Portrait Series.
Also listen on Soundcloud.
Thrilled to once again to have the honor to read poetry with a live jazz band. Not just any live jazz, but Dave Williams and friends. Not only am I reading, but I get to share the stage with other Poety Goddesses: Elmast Kozlyan, Raundi Moore-Kondo, and JL Martindale. Come out to CALB at the Shore (above Shenanigan’s) 423 Shoreline Village Dr. in Long Beach on Sunday, May 17th between 5 and 8:30 pm. Count on some serious enchantment!
On Saturday, April 11th, Long Beach will once again be taken over by the artistic mash-up that is Louder Than Long Beach. Music, poetry, and art will be dancing together at CALB on Pine Ave from 3-8 pm. Poetry magicians, Larry Duncan, Keayva Mitchell, Nancy Lynée Woo, and Kevin Ridgeway will be casting their spells along with a special dual reading by Raquel Reyes-Lopez and myself. Six bands and several artists, including Fernando Gallegos, will also be strutting their stuff. In addition, Lucid Moose Lit and Sadie Girl Press will have plenty of books to browse. The best part (like there needed to be a better reason) is that all of this is free! The Cultural Alliance of Long Beach (CALB) has the mission of bringing you incredible events like these for free, just to keep Long Beach the cultural bounty it is.
Prose, Rhythm & Noise is a FREE downloadable recording from our poetry & jazz filled night on March 15th. Listen to myself, G. Murray Thomas, Keayva Mitchell, Dave Williams, Shy But Flyy and more performing poetry with a improvisational jazz band. It was an honor to share a stage with these incredible musicians and poets. I promise this will be worth the few minutes to load it on your iPod or burn it to a CD and listen to on your way to work. mbtmusic.bandcamp.com
Dave Williams is a fantastic musician, specializing in magical trumpet playing, also hosts Excursions: A Sight & Sound Festival. The event has music, poetry, and poetry with music! I am excited to be invited to participate reading poetry on Sunday, March 15th, from 5-8 pm, at CALB at the Shore located above Shenanigans Irish Pub in Shoreline Village. Even more excited to be joining two of my favorite Long Beach poets and friends, Shy But Flyy and Keayva Mitchell. Check out more details on the Facebook event page!
Sarah Thursday 