Featured Poet: Esther Brincat with "December 23, 2012"

Sleep within me dies-
my mind in mental ties
bonds that not even I can break.
Yet, my sanity is at stake
but my poor heart cannot take,
these images I see when I dream.
Things are not as they seem
For my soul is living when I dream,
and when I wake,
I cannot shake
the fear that slithers into my mind
and it taunts at me to find
the answer to its horrible crime.
So I stay awake
for my soul’s sake
because I cannot endure to wake
to another night of heartache
And to fear I give my mind to take.

Featured Poet: Brian Oarr with "The Only Gambler in Las Vegas"

Standing alone outside the Mirage,
I felt like the only gambler in Las Vegas.
The parlay ticket in my pocket guarded,
like a Top Secret document,
loss would do me
"grave and serious damage".
But don't we all thrive on taking chances?
Some of us simply lack the courage to admit so. 

I saw her legs first, emerging
from the limo in nyloned perfection.
Now a valet opening the casino door,
words gathered, a stone in my throat,
"Would the lady care for company?"
I made myself a dog at odds of 8-1,
yet, a crooked finger beckoned me follow.
I felt like the only gambler in Las Vegas.

Taveler's Lullaby

by: Alice Parker

Like bright-jeweled earrings

South America and Africa dangling.

The collectors take it in,

Around the globe, where to begin?

They take in sights, explore and taste,

Adventures every day are faced,

And people changed, the world and them,

They move along. They start again.

After they have said goodbye,

The in-flight safety lullaby

Puts them to sleep, the travelers

Dreamily explore the universe.

The Writer In The World

Is there a way in which literature can be political—in the broadest sense—without being partisan or ideological? What is the role of writers in society, and how does the nature of writers' society shape the literature they make? These are the questions the speakers at the Black Mountain Institute's 10th Anniversary Celebration addressed last night. Their answers were as varied as their backgrounds.

Charles Bock quoted James Baldwin saying, "It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me the most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who would have never been alive." Regarding groups like Boko Haram and ISIS, Wole Soyinka asked, "Do you think your deity is illiterate? Do you think they cannot read your words or their scriptures?" Vu Tran admitted that fairness feels personal to him, and justice was outside himself because he believes that if he values someone, they ought to value him back.

So yes, no, and maybe. Writing is political, and art. How would you answer?

It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/james_a_baldwin.html

It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/james_a_baldwin.html

Vegas Valley Book Festival and the Black Mountain Institute

I did not attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival 2016. I am terrible, I know. I had such a fun time last year. I am especially interested to know who one the Spark! poetry contest. If anyone here did attend, I would love to hear about it! You can email me at aliceparkerpoet@gmail.com.

I did not attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival 2016. I am; however, attending the Black Mountain Institute's 10 year anniversary event: "The Writer in the World". Black Mountain has sponsored the VVBF for years. This wonderful organization, based out of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, supports the local and global writing community. I look forward to getting to know other writers in the community, and learning more about "the writer in the world".


For 10 years, the Black Mountain Institute has brought writers—and the literary imagination—into the heart of public life. In an open, free public program featuring BMI’s long-time friend Wole Soyinka, a variety of luminaries will offer original talks on how writers impact the world around them. Is there a way in which literature can be political—in the broadest sense—without being partisan or ideological? What is the role of writers in society, and how does society shape the literature writers make? Also featuring Cheryl Strayed, Charles Bock, Tom Bissell, Olivia Clare, and Vu Tran. Hosted by Joshua Wolf Shenk.

Featured Poet: Esther Brincat with "January 13, 2012"

What do you do…
When your heart is torn in two.
When you want to follow your heart,
but your brain isn’t letting you make a start.
What do you do…
When your heart is torn in two
follow the ways of the wise
or go down a path of what could be my demise
What do you do…
When your heart is torn in two
continue in a life from the past
or have a love that will forever last.
What do you do…
When your heart is torn in two
settle down your growing fears
or fight for what you love for many years.
What do you do…