“The Very Hungry Little Turtles” Published in The New Verse News

Published in The New Verse News, my poem “The Very Hungry Little Turtles” reflects on the span of one week surrounding the death of environmental activist and forest defender, Tortuguita, who was killed by police while defending an Atlanta-area forest from the development of a massive police training camp, dubbed “Cop City.” Read the poem here.

Since Tortuguita’s death, news outlets have detailed the results of their family’s private autopsy, suggesting that the activist was seated with hands raised at the time they were shot dead by police, casting further doubt on the official police narrative of the events.

Booza published by Consequence Forum

Booza is a short, creative nonfiction piece that reflects on a situation I found myself in on my first trip to Palestine, in the Occupied West Bank. I knew that I wanted to write about it for some time, but I wasn’t exactly sure how or what to say. When I started detailing the experience—we happened to be leaving an ice cream shop—the relation between the uniquely stretchy ice cream and the experience just jumped out at me.

One of the most interesting things to happen since this piece was published was in hearing stories from family about their own (much worse!) experiences. It’s interesting to think how I may have never heard these stories if I hadn’t written my own.

Booza is an essay that reflects on the impact of our experiences—those that push and stretch us—even in ways we may not want. Read Booza here at Consequence Forum.

be (my forever valentine) Published in Blue River Review

As part of their Valentine’s Special Issue, Blue River Review has published a fun little poem of mine, be (my forever valentine). A departure from many of my typical pieces, this poem is a light-hearted reflection of the all-encompassing nature of my own relationship with my partner & also happens to shout-out to some of my favorite things (Cheetos & daytime talk shows). Read be (my forever valentine) & all of the incredibly thoughtful pieces on Valentine’s Day at Blue River Review here.

“Was it Something I Said” featured by Prometheus Dreaming

The amazingly supportive and beautifully creative people at Prometheus Dreaming decided to breathe life into my spoken word poem, “Was it Something I Said,” and the result is truly earth-shattering. Featured as part of their monthly Thus Spake Prometheus (I knew all that college-age Nietzsche reading would come full circle one day) feature, the piece will be available during the entire month of February (2022) on their homepage and on their YouTube channel here.

Thank you to Prometheus Dreaming Editor, David van den Berg and voice actor Kerri Quinn for helping to bring this important piece into the world.

Pat Tillman, the American Hero Published in Mason Street

Published in the Fall 2021 Issue of Mason Street, “Pat Tillman, the American Hero” was written as a reflection on the documentary The Tillman Story and juxtaposes the attention and questions surrounding Tillman’s life and death with the disinterest about an Afghan man, who also tragically died alongside him. In the documentary, they refer simply to this man as “that Afghan fellow,” which really struck a chord for me. I found this to be a reflection of a greater societal failing, in which we do not see non-Westerners as fully realized people, with lives, families and meaningful stories in their own right. The full piece can be accessed at Mason Street here.

Settlement_Letter_Template_v2 published in Friends Journal

Pleased to announce my recent poem, “Settlement_Letter_Template_v2,” has been published in Friends Journal‘s September 2021 issue on Policing & Mass Incarceration. This piece was inspired by Breonna Taylor’s murder & reflects on the persistent pattern of extrajudicial police killings and the fact that despite there being more public attention on these tragedies, there is an apparent unwillingness of police forces to look within to engage in real, preventative solutions. You can read the full piece here.

“Grandma” Tanka Published in Ribbons

I am pleased to share that a tanka I wrote about my grandmother was published in the most recent issue of Ribbons, the official publication of the Tanka Society of America. “Grammy,” as she was affectionately known was a complex character who, as the poem suggests, could be difficult to “read,” but who is missed dearly. If she were here to see this, she would probably say “that’s nice, Katie” or something as hilariously dismissive.

“What the Birds Don’t Know”

In February 2021 (I know it’s late), my poem “What the Birds Don’t Know” was featured by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance in a group exhibition reflecting on the theme of Love in the Time of COVID-19, alongside other new and found artworks from the Pandemic.

I wrote this little piece in my backyard in late 2020 as I still struggled to make sense of the changed world around me. Reflecting on all that we lost and wondering whether we would ever come out the other side (seems more likely now, fingers crossed), I continued to find comfort in nature and the obliviousness of the world around us to this mess we had created. And that, is what the birds don’t know.