Poetry saves lives and helps us make sense of the world

People of all ages are reading poetry now more than ever. For some, the brevity of the form makes it easy to share and digest on social media. For others, poetry helps them find understanding amid complexity, intense emotions and political uncertainty. I read and write poetry because I agree with Audre Lorde that for members of marginalized communities, "silence will not protect you” and that “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”

***During the month of June I will be fundraising for Tupelo Press, a supporter of exquisite and diverse voices, by writing poetry daily that will be published on their website.***

Tupelo Press provides the canvas, I bring my words, accompanied by other fine poets, writing thirty poems in thirty days, all ours to edit and submit as we wish. 30/30 poems have been taken by over 90 journals and featured in over 40 published chapbooks, all so Tupelo Press can keep publishing voices that might never be heard otherwise.

Every dollar helps this nonprofit small press place more poems in gorgeous books like Native Voices: Indigenous American Poetry, Craft and Conversations, Why Don’t We Say What We Mean?: Essays Mostly About Poetry by Lawrence Raab, and winners of the annual Kundiman Poetry Prize.

Your support gives me vital inspiration as I write this month. Help me to help this distinguished press. Give today!