I have spent the past few months reading, writing and travelling. Most importantly, I have been working on a new project--a new book. You have already sampled some of the poetry from the book in my blog, Fragments & Other Short Poems... This will be my best book yet. The Lily & The Aster is a book of short poems and haiku. And the much anticipated first chapter concerning love promises to be a memorable one.
Regarding process, reading other poets has again proven crucial as a source of inspiration and to informing my style. I have been reading poets as diverse as Sonia Sanchez and Kay Ryan, Rita Dove and Nikki Giovanni. I have also been reading well-known haiku poets Matsuo Basho and Richard Wright. Their writings have had an unquestionable impact on what I choose to write and how I choose to write it.
In terms of my travels, I was inspired creatively by a performance by the George Weldon Johnson Trio, a musical group in Philadelphia. The jazz trio, consisting of a xylophone, a bass and a guitar, inspired more than words. Performing numbers by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and others, I was reminded of my passion for jazz. I was inspired to write several haiku the day of the performance, which may find their way into my new book.
Expect April 2012 release.
