South Asian Vibe

Hi kids! I got out and about yesterday for "The Georgia Center for the Book"'s Writers of South Asia and the event featured dear friends Jaya (To India with Tough Love")Kamlani, Anjali Enjeti and Soniah ("An Isolated Incident") Kamal. Poet and human virtuoso, Franklin Abbott, created and organized this event. Joe Davich runs The Georgia Center for The Book in Decatur, and commented in the introduction, that Atlanta is the envy of many northern cities, given the number of events we offer which are literary, and the huge support we have for them. "Those Yankees are jealous" he said, to the delight of the giggling audience. The variety was stunning. In addition to poets, there were other writers, authors of creative non-fiction, essayists, and debut novelists. Indeed, Anjali read a stunning essay on her blended heritage; Soniah read a just-penned essay on her father, parental expectations, and understanding; Jaya read from her older and newer works, including pieces which challenge the notion of war. I met several interesting writers, all of whom had huge stage presence, and very evocative work. I left wishing I could claim "South Asian" as part of my own heritage. I think I'll probably have to settle for reading about their own journeys, and those journeys will become a part of the way I see the world, anew. Come to think of it, I think I already do.... Peace, kids.

ATLANTA LGBT PRIDE!!!!!!
Yesterday, I attended Wordsmiths' Books' day-long poetry reading, and heard a lot of music, as well as poetry!
Aoki challenged my notions of what it is to be transgendered. She is a "pre-op" Trans, and very beautiful, with a lovely singing voice, and a wicked, edg-y sense of humor(and self!)
I'll provide a link to Aoki, later today.
Collin Kelley was once again the star of the show, as the grand finale' in the poetry line-up. Beautiful Decatur Square bustled with people of all types, and the fireworks display afterwards was pretty amazing--Decatur is wondrous, because it manages to be like a small town in all the ways that are positive(sense of community, uplifting environment, care for their neighborhoods), and it manages to be as diverse as a big-city, with all the cultural options of a big city, too!
More on PRIDE, later today!
Peace, kids.