Javon Johnson – Debt.mov

Performed at IWPS 2015

“Degrees become a cheap fashion statement not even worth a trip to the mall.”

Don’t miss this poem from Javon Johnson, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Javon’s book, Ain’t Never Not Been Black.

Jay Ward – Emma Sulkowicz

Performed at IWPS 2015

“I fully understood why fathers begin hating little boys as soon as their daughters are born.”

Don’t miss this poem from Jay Ward, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Jay’s book, Composition.

Ty Chapman – Pantheon

Performed at Poets & Pints in Minneapolis, MN

“The spirit aches most days. Immense blood cost of godhood. Our ichor free flowing fresh from the spigot.”

Don’t miss this poem from Ty Chapman, performing at Poets & Pints in Minneapolis, MN

Get Ty’s book, Tartarus.

Usman Hameedi – Heirloom

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“He is the maple that didn’t drip too far from the scarred family tree.”

Don’t miss this poem from Usman Hameedi, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

Get Usman’s book, Staying Right Here.

Steven Willis – A Scolding for the Brother, Dylann

Performed at IWPS 2015

“Did you forget that we are children of God, Dylann? And who doesn’t love unexpected trips home?”

Don’t miss this poem from Steven Willis, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Steven’s book, A Peculiar People.

Ty Chapman – To Whom It May Concern (after Danez Smith)

Performed at Poets & Pints in Minneapolis, MN

“”I’ve left no trace, no trail, but prints along the shore, they too will vanish in the tide.””

Don’t miss this poem from Ty Chapman, performing at Poets & Pints in Minneapolis, MN

Get Ty’s book, Tartarus.

Olivia Gatwood – Directives

Performed at Rustbelt 2015

“”It is easy to hurt someone who looks just like you, especially when you hate yourself.””

Don’t miss this poem from Olivia Gatwood, performing at Rustbelt 2015

Get Olivia’s book, New American Best Friend.

Patrick Roche – Princess

Performed at IWPS 2015

“So where had I failed in this chameleon training, how could he tell?”

Don’t miss this poem from Patrick Roche, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Patrick’s book, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown.

Rudy Francisco – Chameleon

Performed at IWPS 2015

“They do it so often they probably wouldn’t be able to recognize a photograph of their own skin, they think it’s far better to be invisible.”

Don’t miss this poem from Rudy Francisco, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Rudy’s book, Excuse Me As I Kiss The Sky.

Usman Hameedi – Birthdays

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“Ami doesn’t want us to forget that there’s more to life than deadlines, there’s plenty of time to pause, enjoy a slice of ice cream cake.”

Don’t miss this poem from Usman Hameedi, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

Get Usman’s book, Staying Right Here.