Swanee Astrid

Thinking about the lineage of armed service in my family and ancestors. This was my Grandpa Martin’s flight cap. He was in Germany for the last year of the war, and later flew spy missions. My other grandpa, Richard, is buried in Arlington. Also a pilot. I think my paternal great grandfather was in WWI, and had ancestors on both sides of the civil war. How far back do the warriors go? Where does the instinct for violence come from? Where the drive to protect?

Both of my parents are also retired officers.

I often wonder where we would be if it were not for armed conflict in the world. What marriages would never have happened? What babies unborn?

The best thing my dad told me was, “I was a soldier so you could be a poet”.

What greater vow than that to serve and protect?

Hey Beat Babes, Braveheart’s, & Bodhisattvas in the BAY!

Come join these Centennial events celebrating Allen Ginsberg’s 100th Birthday. Monday night at the Chapel, Tuesday night at Bird & Becket books and records. I’m excited to see these friends of Summer in my new habitat, where HOWL came to life and so many other classics like my personal fave, Sunflower Sutra. This is the living archive in loving action.

Admission is ticketed for Monday night: https://www.eventim.us/event/allen-ginsberg-centennial-in-sf/687765

Trying to remember which of my wonderful friends gifted me this hazel stick—

Was it you?

It’s her party and you can come if you want to!
On June 12th, approached me after the convo I had with on Emily Dickinson and the Q***r Epiphany of Susan. I am so glad she did, and that 6 months following that conversation we will be celebrating Emily D’s 196th Birthday! Minus one day.
Join us Dec. 11 for a dual reading with myself and the stunning for a reading of work inspired by and our favorite(s) from Emily D. There will be cake! & a screening of Wild Nights With Emily, directed by starring Molly Shannon
We will be celebrating not just 196 years of Emily Dickinson, but her enduring figure beyond the binary and her poetry as q***r erotic JOY!
“flowers & clover & death & bees!” — CAConrad
***rsforEmilyD +Poets