“Spokenword” poetry, an art form steeped in tradition and innovation, has woven its way through the annals of history, echoing the voices of griots, resonating in the streets of Harlem, and pulsating through the beats of rebellious hearts. From its origins in African oral tradition to its modern manifestations in the poetry scene of Providence, […]
walking from bell st. the sky is a warm and closedusky blueas usual, I think aboutmy head.the blocks are cooling and darkI have less to say to you.there are books of poetry on the ground“the unmappable now”so deep blue.if I am gentleand by knowing my gentlenessyou know yoursthen take my face in your hand and […]
We’re John Kotula and Anthony DiPietro. A mutual friend put us together. We’re both writers who celebrate Pride. For several weeks we have been in dialogue by text, email, phone, and once over coffee. John Kotula: Anthony has a new book of poetry, kiss & release, which looks at relationships and sex, drawing on his […]
Thumb traces thumb, lines flat and forgotten until the lazy sun stretches to her highest and the past burns white hot — smooth as satin. Indifferent, a toaster hums through the quiet. Torrid New England summer, tepid wind heaven sent. Sidewalks cracked, the sweaty outline of our thighs pressed deep in the unforgiving pavement. Brow […]
i. ShearEighteen spans, massive Trembling softlySoothing and rocking, murmuringForgetfulness, abnegating the airThe space beneath The commuters hung aloft Steel and concrete, manmadePiles driven deep, riverbed anchorsTowering to braceHis vertebraeCooling drops condensing Salt air drifting in From estuary, cove and inletSoothe his pebbled skinHis task is far from easyA minor Atlas bearing Stress and strain—incalculable! No […]
A poet, a comedian, and a storyteller walk into a bar… it sounds like the beginning of a joke, but on Tuesday, April 9, it was a beautiful reality manifested via Motif’s second annual RI Spoken Awards. Nominees and members of the spoken word community alike gathered at Myrtle in East Providence, which was the […]
You can determine the shape of snowflakes by surrounding conditions, the symmetry of dust particles frozen into crystals that sprout arms and legs different directions off one central core based on temperature. Each snowflake follows a different path from sky to ground, atmosphere that shapes it unique as prism, needle, or lace. A child crafts […]
The Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading is about more than poetry, and more than Langston Hughes – it is about the impact each force has had, and continues to have, on the “Beloved Community” around us. Headquartered in Rhode Island because of the fateful migration of the famed Harlem poet’s work, papers and legacy to […]
Motif put out an open call for visual artists and poets to submit work for an experimental new event: Pics & Poets. Artists and poets were randomly paired. Each participant had two weeks to create a new piece inspired by their partner’s original submission. Creativity ensued. For one night only, the work was displayed at […]
For many years, death wasn’t something poet Jeff Danielian had to face, but in recent years he has experienced multiple losses and found himself dealing with situations he had only seen others endure. His latest publication, UNDONE, shows a writer who has evolved (for better or worse) and is dealing with the challenges of that […]