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
Cultural, then Political
I'm honored when I can be of use, or my writing or interviewing or organizing inspires someone. The latest example of that comes from my friend Andrew Engelson, who created the Cascadia Journal and...
The Dawn of HATE Postcards
Never in my 19 years of being involved with the Poetry Postcard Fest would I have have thought someone would take the time to lash out at a postcard recipient with a hateful message, but here we are...
The Singing Bullets of Soft Secession
For three years now since Sept 2022, I have written a day-long poem in a ritual that I've come to call the DaySong. There is much information about my history with this project here:...
It’s About Time 9.11.2025 6pm Ballard Library
Dear Friend in Poetry, Labor Day is over. The 19th Poetry Postcard Fest is over and I've written another daysong. After doing one of these all-day poem-writing rituals, it's about all I can think...
Sharon Thesen July 2025 Interview
What an honor to interview Sharon Thesen. Of all the people I know, she is in the 99th percentile regarding poetry perception. She has informed my own aesthetic, uses poetry as a tool to make...
rain shadow poetry festival
I'm delighted to be going back to Cumberland, BC, to participate in the rain shadow poetry festival. This is August 22-24, 2025, and is based on the work Adelia MacWilliam did in that part of the...
Paul @ Bradner Gardens with Jim O’Halloran
Jim O'Halloran, the flute player and Subud brother with whom I have collaborated for at least sixteen years, wrote this yesterday: I’m delighted to be returning to Bradner Gardens Park again this...
Aug 9 Zoom Poetry Workshop
Along with three of the editors of Winter in America (Again, I'll be facilitating a workshop for the Arizona State Poetry Society on August 9 at 12N MST and PDT. (Confusing, I know. 12PDT.) I am...
Short ASPS Workshop Video
Meet Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson
On Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30 Seattle Mayoral candidate Katie Wilson will discuss quality of life and culture in Rainier Beach with an emphasis on efforts to create affordable housing for artists...
Cascadian Prophets 2025 Spotify Wrapped Stats
I was quite happy with the news from Spotify when I watched their 2025 Wrapped summary of the podcast stats for Cascadian Prophets. I was in radio for 26 years and got into podcasting late, but here...
Andrew Schelling via Vidyā (in direct contact with rasa)
I've been granted permission from Andrew Schelling to post a small excerpt from his new book of Vidyā translations for my ongoing online workshops. The new book is Old Time Love Song Magic: Sanskrit...
Free Winter in America (Still Workshop
PAUL E NELSONDear Poet, WHAT: Free online poetry workshop WHEN: Today at 12N PST WHERE: PEN zoom WHY: Winter in America (Still WHO: Roxi Power, allia abdullah-matta, Your Humble Narrator I am one...
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.