Paul E Nelson presenting at Cascadia Poetry Festival 8, photo by Leszek Chudzinski
“Paul formally received the Mahayana precepts of Zen Buddhism in 2023, becoming a lay practitioner within the tradition, but I believe he had long lived in accord with them. His poetry, in its sensitivity, its humility, and its deep listening, embodies practice-realization — the understanding that practice and awakening are not separate. His writing was his zazen. This collection, FLEXIBLE MIND, is more than a book. It is a continuation of that practice. A testament to a man who lives by attention, who bows to language but does not cling to it, who seeks what lays beyond words by walking straight into them.”– Kosho Itagaki, Soto Zen Priest
Some February American Sentences
A form Allen Ginsberg invented to “Americanize” haiku, these are snapshots of the moment written by Paul E Nelson, one a day, for over eleven years. These are a sampling from most Februaries of the...
Pig War Residency
Jan 28, 2012 My residency here at the Whiteley Center ends tomorrow, alas. What a tremendous place to think, write &c. Sure, the photos give you a sense of that (my Pig War research photo album...
Tara Hardy Fundraiser 2.23.12
from Daemond Arrindell: Hi everyone, Two months ago, our dear friend and loved writer Tara Hardy went to the emergency room. She was extremely fatigued and little red spots were appearing on her...
Four Hoarse Men Sound Poetry
Greg Bem, Jason Conger, Joe Chiveney and I have been rehearsing a Sound Poem originally done by the Four Horsemen: bp nichol, Steve McCaffery, Rafael Barreto-Rivera and Paul Dutton. (Their version...
Lost in the Wilderness
Ever since my own LOST episode (details linked here) I have always followed stories of people lost in the wilderness around Seattle. I thought Yong Chun Kim was a goner for sure, when he was found...
City of Poets
It was a phrase used by C.A. Conrad when he visited Seattle and did a reading at SPLAB. He said he loved being part of our City of Poets. Our current Board President, Eze Anamalechi likes the idea...
Angel Hack (Haibun de la Serna #4)
Angel Hack by Paul Nelson 3 Angel Hack Never forget that it was an angel that invented swords. Ramón Gomez de la Serna Never forget it is the oldest Bodhisattva carries one aflame in his right hand...
Dragonfly Resurrection (Haibun de la Serna #31)
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/33050303"] Dragonfly Resurrection by Paul Nelson 3 Dragonfly Resurrection Horse flies are smudges on the air. – Ramón Gomez de la Serna Dragonflies...
American Poetry Culture & Chinese Culture Xi Chuan
Xi Chuan gave a stellar reading at the Seattle Central library on Monday, January 9, 2012. Chris Higashi was a gracious host and Paul Manfredi a fine reader of Xi Chuan's work in English,...
49th Parallel Blues
See me read it with Jim O'Halloran on flute: https://www.facebook.com/paul.nelson/posts/165440583559985 Line breaks here are not right, but what the hell? It's #49 in a series of 99 haibun inspired...
BAAM Fest
I have only lived in the Rainier Beach neighborhood for thirteen months, but already have the distinct pleasure of sharing some of my poems at the annual BAAMfest. Cindi Laws is the organizer and is...
Six Postcards
Bhakti and I got back from an overnight sojourn to THE MULTIVERSE on San Juan Island yesterday. We went to the community/arts spot Ian, Jennifer and Gavia Boyden have created to showcase art and...
Kozer on Seriality
In the car we listen to music almost exclusively on the old Ipod, which has remnants of the previous user's musical tastes. (Thanks Rebecca!) Were it to be passed down again, and were the new owner...
The interview I conducted with Sam O’Hana, a Ph.D. student at CUNY, is immensely critical and immensely validating for the work we do at the Cascadia Poetics Lab. At its core, the discussion is about whether writing is for people of means, or if it can be people who have skill and something to say. It means the literary gatekeepers have failed us and have a role in perpetuating neoliberalism in North America which has paved the way for authoritarianism. The interview is available as a podcast here and as a YouTube video here. Below, I have pasted in the transcript and here is my introduction to Sam O’Hana and his topic.