The poems I never read in public (a virtual reading from said the Frog to the scorpion)

I don’t read longer poems at poetry readings. However, I composed some of my longest poems in said the Frog to the scorpion. Months ago, I made an intention to record these poems because I slaved over them and wanted my physical voice attached to them as they are to the poems I read aloud regularly.

So here is a 13 min reading of longer poems from said the Frog to the scorpion

Poems:

1. "when asked why I believed Her"

2. "who She is" (I screwed up the title in the video)

3. “when asked about toxic amnesia”

4. “take your pick”

5. “when asked why I won't”

And yes, there are a lot of squirrels behind me...

Boston Poetry Slam Reading Video

Here’s the video of my September 20, 2023 reading for Boston Poetry Slam (at Starlight) is available on Instagram

1:2:1 Interview and Reading with Cedric Arno

My interview and reading with Cedric “Cedboogie” Arno was filmed in Worcester and streamed on Facebook. You can watch both through the link below:

"Paulie's War" published in Mid-Atlantic Review

After writing and revising for well over a decade, I am happy that my poem “Paulie’s War” has been published in Mid-Atlantic Review.

Review of The Third Renunciation in Presence 2024

I am honored to have this review of The Third Renunciation in Presence 2024.

"the Blue Envelope Program" published in The New Verse News

I don’t watch or read the news as much as I should. Probably because this is my mind goes when I do. That said, my poem “the Blue Envelope Program” was just published by The New Verse News

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For those who want the footnotes I cut out of the poem:

•  Steven Washington (2010)

•  Stephon Watts (2012)

•  Dainell Simmons (2013)

•  Troy Canales (2014)

•  Osaze Osagie (2019)

•  Matthew Rushin (2019)

•  Ryan Gainer (2024)

"How to Tell a Pure Rage Story" at Mayday Magazine

I keep writing creative nonfiction and (for some reason) people publish it. “How to Tell a Pure Rage Story” pays homage to Tim O’Brien's “How to Tell a True War Story,” but is a tale all its own.

It's now published in Mayday Magazine.

Short Reading from said the Frog to the scorpion

I read two poems from said the Frog to the scorpion at the open mic of the Pour Me a Poem gathering in Mansfield, MA hosted by Wayne-Daniel Berard and Sara Letourneau on the second Thursday of each month.

Listen to “hevel” and “when asked what it’s like to love Her.”

Poem nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Pensive Journal

My poem "dispatches from the desk of Danel: the self-designated disciple and messianic anger-management translator" was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts.

And yes, it’s “Danel” in the title, not “Daniel.”

"YHWH breaks the fourth wall" in The Windhover

In seminary, I wrote a narrative about a modern prophet through poems. Hopefully, some version of that collection will see the light of day. Until then, one of those poems— “YHWH breaks the forth wall”— has found at home in the latest issue of The Windhover.

Guest Post for AGFCG Card Talk Series

I have a guest blog post for A Game for Good Christians’ Card Talk series entitled “God Planning Your Pain to Make A Point.” It employs one of my theological sonnets that appears in The Third Renunciation.

I previously had the privilege of editing AGFGC’s literary anthology This Present Former Glory: An Anthology of Honest Spiritual Literature.

If you don’t know A Game for Good Christians, imagine what you get if you crossed Cards Against Humanity with the Bible.

Book launch reading of said the Frog to the scorpion

The book launch of said the Frog to the scorpion (Harbor Editions, 2024) was a special event.

I was honored to have Kai Coggin and Maya Williams read their amazing poetry as a part of the night. You can watch the recording through the link below.

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said the Frog to the scorpion

Interview with Mass Poetry

Check out my interview with Mass Poetry

A five minute reading for Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and my new collection

In honor of Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and the publication of my new collection, here is a five minute reading from said the Frog to the scorpion and one other poem.

Poems read in the video (the first four appear in said the Frog to the scorpion):

• Hevel

• “what i learned during Black History Month”

• when asked what it’s like to love Her

• at some point

• “…believes all things.”

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said the Frog to the scorpion is available for purchase

My third full length collection, said the Frog to the scorpion, has arrived from Harbor Editions.

"Have you heard the one about...?" Reviewed by The Poetry Question

A wonderful review of my microchapbook “Have you heard the one about…?” (Ghost City Press, 2023) has just dropped over at The Poetry Question.

"the Prophet confronts his attacker" in New York Quarterly

“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