Thanks again to the wonderful Barbara Leonhard for sharing two poems from and an order link for Our Loveliest Bruises, my first full-length collection, in the “Bookshelf” section of LatinosUSA—English edition. I am honored and proud to be a 3: A Taos Press author. Thank you Veronica Golos and Andrea Watson for making this dream come true.
My poem, “Even with Eyes Open,” which originally appeared in North Dakota Quarterly, has been republished by Ellie Magazine. I am grateful to the Ellie Magazine team for taking this piece and offering it new life.
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.
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 “The Starlings Were You,” which won the Shō Poetry Prize earlier this year, is live at Verse Daily. Many thanks to editor J.P. Dancing Bear for featuring this piece, and to Shō Poetry editors Dominique Ahkong and Johnny Cordova for their kindness and support.
Today is the official launch day for Texas Flood, my micro-chapbook from Porkbelly Press, out of CIncinnati, Ohio. This ten poem collection was written in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, in August 2017. Regarding the press, founder and editor Nicci Melcher is a dream to work with, and I feel fortunate indeed to have crossed paths. Please check out Porkbelly’s extensive offerings at https://porkbellypress.com/poetry/flood
Thoughtful, proposing not end, but process.
In this noon’s grayness I disclose my need.
Which is a lotus floating in your pond, a clutch of zeros
blooming in moonlight. Last night’s missing sleep.
An ending, by definition, concludes.
But what occurs in a circle’s body, or infinity’s border?
Imprecision acknowledged, I sip wine and gauge distance.
Take comfort in the disorderly.
Starting at the top, the brush moves down and right,
clockwise, then rising in opposition, halts.
Drifting, incomplete, I step back.
Some leave a gap; others do not.
* * *
This first appeared in Posit: A Journal of Literature and Art in September 2017, and may be found in my full-length collection Our Loveliest Bruises, recently published by 3: A Taos Press.
A video of the January 2025 Black Dog Poetry Open Mic may be found here. The passcode is: M51?8Ht0
The last character of the passcode is a zero. I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to celebrate the publication of my first full-length collection, Our Loveliest Bruises, among the company of so many friends and readersI. Thank you!
I’m thrilled to announce that I am the featured poet for the January 2025 Black Dog Poetry Open Mic. Many thanks to Sandy Coomer, co-host of the reading and the founding editor of the Rockvale Review. I am especially grateful for this online venue, as my health prevents me from participating in the numerous in-person readings traditionally required to launch and celebrate the publication of one’s first full-length collection. Our Loveliest Bruises is the culmination of much labor, exasperation, love, encouragement, luck and persistence, and I cannot adequately express my gratitude for this opportunity. Thank you!
Please note that an open reading follows my presentation. Poets are requested to present one brief poem. If you’re interested (and I’m talking to you, poet friends), please let me know and I’ll provide contact information. Black Dog Poetry Open MIc has a FaceBook page, where details can also be found.
I’m thrilled and honored to have received the inaugural Shō Poetry Prize for my poem “The Starlings Were You.” Persistence is key—this poem was rejected 28 times prior to winning the prize. If you believe in your work, keep sending it out!
Shō Poetry Journal is a print journal, but they’ve authorized me to post a photo of the poem:
Many thanks and much appreciation to Dominique Ahkong and Johnny Cordova for selecting this piece.
O at the Edges 