So I guess you thought I'd dropped out of cyberspace, huh?  Ok, well, I did, but just for a minute.  I know on a medium like the internet things happen fast but life happens fast too. These past few months found me running full speed to keep up with it. 

In November I handed my thesis in.  It was over 70 pages of my poetry and fiction, signed by three professors whose work and ideas were invaluable to me during my two years in the MFA program at Mills College.  It was difficult to focus on my work considering September 11 and the events unfolding between the United States and Afghanistan.  I was again struggling with the relevance of my work at such a painful and bloody time.  In the end, I decided my thesis needed to reflect the environment I wrote it in.  The title, introduction,epigraph and some of the poems make direct reference to my feelings about 911 and the aftermath.  My pain and politics are clear in, "Please Hit Reply" and when I handed it in I felt as though I'd spoken my truth.  Writing proved its importance-again. 

In December I read at the 15th anniversary celebration of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.  This amazing Bay Area organization has been working tirelessly to ensure equal treatment of immigrants for over a decade. The host of the event stressed the importance of art and its role in political struggles. This made me grateful to be an artist, and made me ask myself why I question the usefulness of my work. 

Then I took an impromptu two day trip to LA.  It was a whirlwind.  I didn't sleep much but I laughed, danced and spent quality time with my cousin Mary (who is an amazing actress).  I also got up on an open mic at a wonderful place called Cafe Future.  The vibe in the place was beautiful; people were welcoming, the ginger lemon tea was delicious and the poets, lyracists and musicians had a lot on their minds.  It was a really refreshing environment.  A lot of sharing went on. Then back to Oakland for 24 hours and home to New York. 

I've got to admit I shed a few tears when the plane touched down.  So much had happened in the time I'd been gone.  I spent a month in New York surrounded by family and friends an the was restorative.  However, I had to adjust to the political environment.  There was not a "Justic Not Vengeance" sign in sight, not a, "Our community is a hate free zone" poster anywhere.  There were American flags as far as the eye could see. Nope, I was not in the Bay Area anymore. One day, inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, I wrote on a sidewalk on the Lower East Side, "War is over if you want it"  and turned to see four or five people looking down at me. An old lady asked, "Is it legal to write on someone's property."  I told her I was writing in sidewalk chalk which would wash off. She nodded and walked off seeming satisfied.  Besides that, I thought, the sidewalk is city property. I walked away shaken and wondering if she would have questioned me if I'd drawn an American flag. 

Walking the streets of the city was sometimes emotional. Twice i came across walls covered with photos of the dead, outside of a fire house i saw an altar and The World Trade Center rubble was a subway ride away.   

It is good to note that although people are mourning their losses deeply in New York, there are still people who believe in peace and people who are thinking critically about the events of the past few months.  Had I stayed longer, I would have attened the peace readings and rallies happening in New York but as it is I left and I am writing this from Amsterdam. There is a wonderful poetry and art scene happening here in Holland and over the next few months I'm going to introduce you to some of the folks making it happen.  It is inspiring to be surrounded by brilliant young people of color who are actually making a living off of their art.  So after I get over this jet lag you'll meet Babs Gons, the poetry reading coordinating diva who created "Palabras." 

PS: I'm reading this amazing anthology of Black British writing called IC3.  It is a must have. 

PSS: Go get Saul Williams's "Amethyst Rock Star"...now!