Armored with little more than a trusty tote bag and too much caffeine, I entered Third Place Books on Ravenna, searching for a local author to write my first book review about. I found an armful of wonderful tomes and settled on beginning with a novel called Lake City (2019), a fascinating fiction by Thomas Kohnstamm, a born-and-raised Seattleite. 

At the checkout stand, a bookseller promised me that Lake City was a fantastic read, that Kohnstamm’s next novel would be out soon, and that Thomas was a terrific guy and regular at Third Place Books. I was so excited by the enthusiasm from the bookseller that I rushed home to read it that night. 

What is the final threshold between adolescence and adulthood?

After discussing three modern poets, I wanted to choose a traditional poet for discussion this week. William Blake, a Romantic, is most known for Songs of Innocence and Experience where he tackles the duality of childhood innocence and real-world experience. 

Ah, the open mic. All comedy babies’ first step. The watering hole where veteran amateurs and “I’ve always wanted to try” newbies gather to throw cold wet spaghetti (jokes) at a wall (their friends, and bar patrons who did not know this was going on tonight) to see what sticks!

At its core, the open mic is a place for everyone—yes everyone—to come in and try new (stand-up only) material. But traditional open mics have a reputation;it’s become synonymous now with dive bars, pool balls clacking over your tight five, and comedians performing sets comprised of hate speech scantily veiled as “just a joke”.

When I discovered Halsey came out with a collection of poetry, I immediately added it to my must-read list. I get enthralled when musical artists or actors release poetry collections and break from their typical art form. Poetry has become more accepted and common among celebrities to make another mark of change on the world.

Everyone experiences trauma. This is a human experience we all share. We all have different ways to deal with said trauma. So how do writers and artists process their trauma?

Poets and artists are not only bold enough to share their trauma through their art, but creative enough to spin their trauma into beauty through bravery. Trauma allows those to understand loved ones as well as the inner mechanisms of themselves through reparation.

Poetry—like any art form—stands as a positive tool for change. In today’s climate, when the country is most divided, poetry aids in developing one’s rhetoric. A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp sword for battle. Regardless of political party, people tend to focus on how to outwit their opponent and prepare for what they are going to say next. While watching political debates, past and present, I have watched how politicians build and craft arguments on embarrassment while patronizing those longing to be represented. Screaming louder doesn’t win the argument. Using bigger words doesn’t win the argument. Name calling doesn’t win the argument. So what does, then?