One of my favorite publications, Vox Populi, is featuring four of my poems. These hendecasyllabic pieces (consisting of eleven lines, each containing eleven syllables) reflect back on the early days of my illness, when pain and difficulties breathing prevented me from lying down. I spent six months attempting to sleep on a recliner before treatment allowed me back in bed.
My poems “When to Say Goodbye” and “I Praise the Moon, Even When She Laughs” are live at Does It Have Pockets. Many thanks to Camille Griep and the Does It Have Pockets team for taking these previously published pieces and offering them new life.
Sometimes you get lucky, things fall in place, and you find your poem in the same publication as your partner-in-everything/spouse’s work. I love it when that happens!
I’m delighted to announce that my poem “Love Poem with Eight Questions” is live at Spirit Lake Review. Many thanks to the Spirit Lake Review editorial team for taking this piece!
I’m pleased to announce that three of my poems are live at the stellar literary journal Book of Matches, which features poems from such luminaries as Ace Boggess, my wife and partner in everything—Stephanie L. Harper—and Tim Kahl, among others. https://www.bookofmatcheslitmag.com/post/issue-14-unfurls-its-petals
Many thanks to editors Nicholas Christian and Kelli Allen for taking these pieces, and gratitude to Luanne Castle for providing the title and inspiration for one of them (I’ll let you guess which one).
I am thrilled to announce that my second full-length book is now available directly from Broadstone Books at a 20% discount. Just use the code POETS24 when you check out.
https://www.broadstonebooks.com/shop/p/his-windblown-self-poetry-by-robert-okaji
After I expressed concern that I might not live long enough to see or experience the book’s publication, publisher Larry W. Moore prioritized its production, and here it is! Thank you, Larry! Lest you worry, I am feeling pretty good, and have no plans to give up the ghost anytime soon.
The cover art is a painting by my favorite artist, Ron Throop, titled “Sentiment for Bob While Listening to ‘Common One, Bonus Track Addition’ by Van Morrison, Over and Over Again” 2024 Oil on canvas, 20″ x 24″. Ron actually drove some 1,300 miles round-trip to deliver the framed painting and break bread with us, a memorable evening that I’ll cherish forever.
My poem “Milley-la-Forét, Summer 1963” is live at Neologism Poetry Journal. Many thanks to editor Christopher Fields for taking this piece.
I am honored that my poem “From Left to Right I Consider Purpose and Kanji” is live at Formidable Woman Sanctuary as a contribution to editor and founder d ellis phelps’s Solace Project. The poem also resides in my new full-length book, Our Loveliest Bruises, from 3: A Taos Press. I am grateful to d for this publication and many other kindnesses over the years.
To view the poem, scroll down to the end.
My poem “Letter to Moorman from Advancement” is live at The Glass Post. I am grateful to editor and founder Kay for taking this piece.
O at the Edges 