Author Archives: Don Yorty

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Bob Holman and Eleonora Fisco discuss the Spoken Word at the CUNY Graduate Center

On October 3, at the CUNY Graduate Center, I recorded a conversation between Bob Holman and Eleonora Fisco about the Spoken Word and Slam Poetry. They also discussed the important work poetry does in keeping languages alive, and they … Continue reading →

Going Back to Work & Friday Night Apocalypse Stew

10 Oct ’25

… This little work of art, you might call it a music video that I worked on all morning, must now be abandoned. Put it under your wing if you have a moment, and give it a hug. Going Back … Continue reading →

from The Prologue

5 Oct ’25

words are birds eyes is sky I write the word: I am behind it. You read the word: you are before it. We make a oneness, a reflection two separate moments come together but the word is … Continue reading →

The Hand Against the Light

28 Sep ’25

I am really fond of the poet Juan Ramón Jiménez, but translating him, oh my goodness, what can sound sublime in century old Spanish can sound a little silly in English or anyway my English. The unique butterfly! ¡Dios mio! … Continue reading →

Poetry Hell with Lonely Christopher, August 9th

27 Sep ’25

… Lonely Christopher began hosting his Poetry Hell reading series at Enoch’s Coffee at 480 10th Avenue in June and continued until September. Poetry Hell was sponsored by Segue Foundation. Creating this series was an explicit effort to expand … Continue reading →

Claudi in Tompkins Square

27 Sep ’25

… After the gym, I walked into Tompkins Square to sit on a bench and write and read. It is the end of September so the chirring of insects has died away, but there are dogs and children on … Continue reading →

The First Week of September, Beginning August 31

9 Sep ’25

… CHATGPT Well, I’ve met my ChatGPT. Last week, a friend who teaches 9th Graders about Computer Etiquette introduced me to him. I say him because when I downloaded the App and first talked, a man with a British accent … Continue reading →

Ching Ho Cheng: Tracing Infinity

31 Aug ’25

,,, I was happy to attend the panel discussion of Ching Ho Cheng’s work at Bank’s Elizabeth Street Gallery on May 13, 2005. Ching was a friend of mine. My friend Patricia Kelly introduced me to him. She and Ching … Continue reading →

Cornelius Eady reads and sings at Poets House

30 Aug ’25

… Last August in 2025, Cornelius Eady was going to read at Poets House, but it was too damned hot and the date was changed to September the 7th. On the 7th, as I walked to the reading, it began … Continue reading →

This Morning

24 Aug ’25

… This morning when I went up on the roof to practice guitar and singing, a bird appeared and began to accompany me. I wish I knew my birds better, perhaps one day I will, but for now I … Continue reading →

Aliah Rosenthal reads from Kiss My Assteroid

13 Aug ’25

… Aliah Rosenthal, the son of poets, grew up in the East Village with the Poetry Project at Saint Mark’s Church a few blocks away. Contrary to what may be a popular opinion, being the child of a poet is … Continue reading →

Morgan Võ reads from The Selkie

9 Aug ’25

I’ve read The Selkie by Morgan Võ several times now. I enjoy it, but I’ve also been trying to figure it out. Võ says, “Writing The Selkie was trying to describe a world and discern certain factors or dimensions of … Continue reading →