My Chapbook Door, Door is now out!

I'm honored to announce my e-chapbook, Door, Door, is now available for FREE pdf viewing via Red Ochre Lit.

Click HERE to give it a read!

Door, Door is a 5-poem chapbook with a specific structure and theme and investigation (or so it seems to me).

I truly hope you enjoy it.

And do contact me (jswilliams1307@gmail.com) if you'd like a limited edition, signed and numbered, hand-made version of Door, Door. I only made 30 of them to provide at my readings, but I'd love for them to fly both near and far. Only $3 to cover the cost of materials.

From Colder Climates- my new chapbook

I’m honored that Folded Word Press has just accepted my chapbook, From Colder Climates, for late 2011 publication!

It will be published as a ‘Green’ print edition, which is a cost-effective and earth-friendly hand-made edition, as well in e-chapbook format. I’d like to thank the editors for their incredibly kind words and support.

Psychic Meatloaf Isse 3

Psychic Meatloaf has just accepted two of my newer poems for publication in Issue 3, due out online and in print April 2011. They were kind enough to publish my work in Issue 2 also, so I'm particularly excited to create a lasting relationship with the press. I'll let you know when the issue is out.

The 100th Monkey Studio art opening and reading

To kick off the opening of The 100th Monkey Studio's new art exhibition, Recycle Reuse, A. Molotkov, David Cooke, Bruce Greene, and I will be presenting our poetry, likely with musical accompanyment. Come by to check out the new exhibition, stay for the poetry...

When: Friday, April 1, 7-9pm
Where: The 100th Monkey Studio
110 Southeast 16th Avenue, Portland, OR

Young American Poets

My poem "Psalm Two" is now available at Young American Poets.

Click HERE to give it a read!

Accents Publishing

Accents Publishing has just accepted two of my short poems for inclusion in their new anthology! It will be both in print and online beginning later in 2011.

The Henniker Review

The Henniker Review, a journal of art and literature from New England College, has just accepted my poem "Traveling Through the Rust Belt" for publication in their 2010-2011 annual print edition! Details to follow when it's released.

Door, Door- My new chapbook!

I'm honored to announce the upcoming publication of my new e-chapbook! Door, Door is a 5 poem chapbook to be published in April 2011 by Red Ochre Press.

It will be available in a free online pdf format from the Press (click HERE).

I will also be hand-making a limited edition version of Door, Door, available soon. It will only be $3, simply to cover the cost of materials. Please let me know if you'd like one!

Symmetry Pebbles

Symmetry Pebbles, an online poetry journal for edgy, risk-taking poetry, has just published three of my poems in their latest issue, just out today.

Click HERE to read the poems!

Calliope Nerve

Calliope Nerve, an online venue for exciting, edgy poetry and chapbooks, has just published 5 of my poems. They're part of my ongoing, book-length series titled Controlled Hallucinations.

Click HERE to read them!

BluePrint Review

BluePrint Review, a online poetry and art journal in Germany, has accepted my poem "Overtures" for publication in Issue 27: Synergetic Transformations.

This piece was composed to be in conversation with an artistic piece created by Staci M. Cole, and both the artwork and poem will be published in this issue.

Last Monday Reading and Discussion

Here's the flyer for my upcoming reading/discussion in Hillsboro. Hope to see some of you there! Alongside the poetry reading, there will be a discussion about the process and perspective behind the process, a Q&A about publishing poetry, and an open mic!

Five Poetry Journal

Five Poetry Journal has just accepted three new poems for an upcoming online publication. The poems are part of my book length series titled Controlled Hallucinations, which use numbers instead of titles. However, the journal prefers titles, so time for some brainstorming...

I'll post when they're available for view...

This Week's Poem

The Torch

Be with me, Kabir,
when the gray clouds bring their far-away greetings
in that language of storm.

Translate upon my hardened fingers
what they have done, upon my heart
what it stubbornly loved.

Weave me a thin russet blanket
I can vanish into each night,
trek unseen the dream sands as a Bedouin,

with a torch I can call sun.
But keep its fabric lithe
so I recognize through it day’s light.

Tell me just enough of the truth
that I continue battling up the mountain,
just enough and no more

water, so I still thirst,
love, so I still desire,
shadow, so I still weep.



(published by Exercise Bowler)

Poetry Reading and Discussion at Multnomah County Library

A. Molotkov, Bruce Greene, and I will be presenting a poetry reading followed by Q&A discussion on the art of poetry composition at the Northwest Branch of the Multnomah County Library as part of the Third Wednesday series. Library contact info: 503.988.5560.

When: March 16, 2011 from 7-8pm
Where: Northwest Branch of Multnomah County Library
2300 N.W. Thurman Street
Portland, OR 97210

spokensong reading on Sunday, March 6

A. Molotkov and I will be reading at spokensong, a new monthly poetry and music event curated by local poet Rick J. I'm looking forward to trying out some new material, poems from my two ongoing book projects, and if you missed Tola's powerful reading last night at Blackbird Wineshop, this will be your chance.
I hope to see you there.

When: Sunday, March 6 @ 7pm
Where: Three Friends Coffeehouse, 201 Southeast 12th Avenue Portland

This Week's Poem

It is not you

It is not you I have lost
crossing the road
to taste this other dream
of myself,
following a whisper
of butterfly.

Lifting this stone
the same love-creatures
struggling beneath
stare up with the same
magnificent eyes-
up through me.

And in them still
clouds draw back
exposing the sky’s pink flesh.
Naked before you
it is not you
who are naked
chasing the unfulfilled
and not you

this stone butterfly long
will rest upon.


(published in Euphony)

Barnwood International

Barnwood International Poetry Magazine has just accepted my poem "Don't worry" for future publication. "Don't worry" is part of my ongoing book project titled Controlled Hallucinations, which is presently about half-completed. I'll post when the poem has been published and is available.

Anemone Sidecar

I'm honored that Anemone Sidecar, an international literary online journal of stylistic, word-driven, avant garde, experimental or progressive poetry, has just accepted my poems "When I go there" and "We all arrive by different streets" for an upcoming issue! Both poems are part of the chapbook I just completed, titled The Middle Door...

This Week's Poem

White Space

Beneath the long shadows of crosses and crows
that shade the slopes of passing hills
the white space I have left around this experience
explodes into a smile of oaks—

the page is a blur with unspeak—

there is an audience to every song,
especially the parts unsung:
the stamen
the conversation—

the giant crosses overlooking nothing, then wheat,
are smaller than even the faintest human touch
and the scars left by crows are only visible
when nobody is left to see them.

I want to write nothing,
so much nothing the entire audience
explodes in Ozark flowers.


(published in Rosebud)

amphibi.us

amphibi.us, an online journal, has just accepted and published my poem "I Say I Sing".

Click HERE to read the poem!

The Oklahoma Review

The Oklahoma Review, an electronic literary journal at Cameron University, has just accepted two of my poems for publication in May: "In the Hills of San Luis Obispo County" and "March 4th".

This Week's Poem

A Pure River

Having escaped westward-
following the traditional headwinds-
finally I am resting,
eyes closed, upon the horizon,
exhausted from seeing
forever forward
resurrection
and the dream of resurrection.

Below me coils
mountain water clear
and silent
which I know
must one day diffuse
with a world disordered –
salt and ship.

But for now
clarity
as in transparency.
Silence
as in a perfect pitch.

May my hands forever be
a pure river
I do not recognize.


-published by The Chaffey Review and in my chapbook, A Pure River

Raining Back Up- poetry and music performance

John Sibley Williams, A. Molotkov, Ragon Linde, and Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk will be performing a multi-media blend of poetry and music at Broadway Books in PDX. The performance is titled 'Raining Back Up'.

When: Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm
Where: Broadway Books, 1714 Northeast Broadway, Portland, OR 97232

...Come join us!!

vox poetica

vox poetica, an online journal, has just accepted my poem "Vantage Point" for publication in May. They're publishing an mp3 of my reading of the poem alongside it. I'll post when it's available!

Classifieds: An Anthology of Prose Poems

Equinox Publishing is in the process of compiling an exciting new book, titled Classifieds: An Anthology of Prose Poems. They've chosen to include the four poems I submitted for publication in the book. No specific date for publication yet, but I'll let you know when it's out!

This Week's Poem

Waking to a Strange Letter

From the torrent outside a single drop
struck your cheek and evaporated
before you woke.

Nothing changed. The dream-
cluttered bedroom. The foreign
city’s timbre breaking upon its door.

The circular path of light
your mother’s lamp cut
like an incomplete halo

upon the pillow’s harsh white.
If only I could explain the sorrow and panic
of watching that tear you never wept

climb from your face and cake
in the silent half-light between-
staining our new linens.


(published in Offcourse Literary Journal)

Heavy Hands Ink: Volume Three out now!

Volume Three of Heavy Hands Ink is now available for purchase and free download. Click HERE!

It includes my poem "A Strange Place", as well as work from my friend and fellow poet David Cooke.

Tipton Poetry Journal: Issue 19 now out!

Tipton Poetry Journal: Issue 19 is now out! You can purchase the print version for $12 or read the issue online HERE.

It contains my short poem "Et Cetera".