“the Prophet confronts his attacker” was published in New York Quarterly latest issue. This is one of my theological sonnets that also appears The Third Renunciation (from New York Quarterly Books, 2023).
CW: themes of sexual assault.
Two poems in Vita Poetica Journal
I am working on a series of poems I am calling midrash qatan, or “a little story/exposition.” They are expositions, retellings, and reimagings of stories from the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament. The name pays homage to Rabbinic genre of Midrash Rabbah (“a great midrash”).
Two of these poems have just been published in Vita Poetica Journal:
“found” (a midrash qatan on Luke 15)
and
“subtlety: an assay” (a midrash qatan on Genesis 3)
Both pages include an audio recording of me reading these poems.
"...believes all things" in 3 Elements Literary Review
I’m happy to have another one of my poems, "...believes all things", appearing in 3 Elements Literary Review. Read the full issue below
Psaltery & Lyre Book Review of The Third Renunciation
“Henry’s work is skillfully filled with contradictions, provocation, humor, aggression, and ponderance. Be prepared to sit down with your own self and allow yourself to question your faith and the absurdity of life as you read these vividly powerful poems. Each time you read them, you’ll find new wisdom.”
I’m pleased to have this thoughtful review of The Third Renunciation in Psaltery & Lyre
Three poems in The Decolonial Passage
My first publications of the new year are from the Decolonial Passage. Each is an ekphrastic work, which will likely be a part of the collection I am slowly putting together. Read them here.
“reflection” is after James Barnor’s Self-Portrait with a Store Assistant at the West African Drug Company, 1952
“Black Men and Women in a Tavern,” is after the painting by the same name from workshop of David Teniers the Younger (1650)
“casually and casualty share a Latin root” draws from Jackie Sibblies-Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Fairview.
Reading at Grolier's Poetry Book Shop
I was honored to read at Grolier’s Poetry Book Shop with Dale Cottingham and April Ossman on Dec. 7, 2023. Here is the recording. I’m introduced at 21:45 mins.
Fare Forward’s The Editors’ Best of 2023 - The Third Renunciation
In a year filled with mass shootings, hate crimes, and wars, I craved a book on theodicy. But I wasn’t going to find the book I personally needed on a systematic theology shelf. Instead, I reread Henry’s poems.
A Review of The Third Renunciation
Caldwell University’s Journal Editing class has posted a series of reviews of poetry collections. The Third Renunciation is among the collections chosen. Click below to read all of them. Mine is second from the bottom.
Cover reveal for said the Frog to the scorpion
My new collection of poetry said the Frog to the scorpion is forthcoming in early 2024 from Harbor Editions. Cover art by CR Resetarits
Slant Books Review of The Third Renunciation
Brian Volk wrote a review of The Third Renunciation for Slant Books. It’s a mind-blowing honor to be considered alongside the new work of B.H. Fairchild and Scott Cairns.
A Boston Tea Party poem in The New Verse News
Today is the 250th anniversary of The Boston Tea Party. My poem, “on watching a reenactment of the boston tea party” was published in The New Verse News.
New poem in Pensive Journal
My poem “dispatches from the desk of Danel: the self-designated disciple and messianic anger-management translator” was published in the latest issue of Pensive Journal out of Northeastern University. Click on the link below and turn to page #77.
Have you watched the Key & Peele sketches involving President Obama's anger translator Luther? That’s the vibe here.
Note: Here are the passages the speaker is … “interpreting”
Pushcart Nomination from Porcupine Literary
I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize for one of my favorite pieces, “Being Present,” by Porcupine Literary! Read it below.
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Pushcart Nomination from The Elevation Review
My poem “on the morning I was cancelled by the CRT karens” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by The Elevation Review.
Two 'Letters to America' in Terrain.org
Demien DineYazhi’s My Ancestors Will Not Let Me Forget This, 2020. Letterpress Print
Terrain.org has published both "when asked what might finally lead me to drink or abuse schedule 1 narcotics" & "white History Month" as a part of their Letter to America series.
Both are accompanied by a “dramatic reading.” Click below to read/listen.
Pushcart Prize Nomination from The Worcester Review
My poem “curriculum development” was nominated by The Worcester Review for a Pushcart Prize!
"self-evident" @ Holler Salon
My reading of “self-evident” at Sundress Academy of the Art’s Holler Salon at Firefly Farm (TN). October 28th 2023.
"Invisible Man (Two Views)” - Alan Squire Publishing Annual Poetry Contest
My poem "Invisible Man (Two Views)” was shortlisted in Alan Squire Publishing Annual Poetry Contest and is now in ASP Bulliten’s latest issue.
Invisible Man, Glenn Ligon
This is a doubly ekphrastic poem, inspired by Glenn Ligon’s canvases (by the same name), who in turn took his inspiration from Ralph Ellison’s novel of the same name. Both Ligon and my work represents the opening paragraphs of Ellison’s work to great effect.
So I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Black excellence.
Best Spiritual Literature anthology nomination
Presence Journal is nominating my poem [Say pity is not action, is not love] for possible inclusion in Orison Books' annual Best Spiritual Literature anthology!
This is a first for me and I’m honored.
"Inscrutable" Nominated for a Best of the Net Award
My creative nonfiction essay “Inscrutable” was nominated by Redivder for a Best of the Net Award.
This is my first time being nominated for my prose.