The mind, a dormant stone

Happy Happy Poetry Month!   Los Angeles Poet Society is so honored and proud to bring two exceptionally selfless and brilliant Poets that hold the title Youth Poet Laureate and Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, respectively!  Luis J. Rodriguez ran for the Governor of California in 2014 as a means to save the state and the people from drought in so many many ways. He began Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural with his wife, Trini Rodriguez , 14 years ago, as a way to outreach and build a safe community for all people.  Amanda Gorman is a 17 year-old Poet, a student of California Poets in the Schools , and WriteGirl , Amanda was given the FIRST EVER Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles title. She is a creative and illuminating young Poet and Activist. She began One Pen One Page, inspired by her own ability to share her voice and the story of Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala. She serves to provide a voice to those who are not able to share their story, and empowers youth a...

In lala land. Some photos along the way of a wonderful journey about town. 7th Street, DTLA Just a stroll down the avenue... and then the night falls...and all the lights come out to play to your twinkling eye...

This Friday, March 7th at Beyond Baroque, the Los Angeles edition of the RPB Anthology is released to the ether!   I am so excited to be a part of this collection! So HONORED!!! Catch the show at Beyond Baroque, 8pm! Address: 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA  Purchase your book at the event, or online at:  http://www.vagabondbooks.net / This anthology, a selection of works from 70 local poets, and the great photo-art of local Venice artist, Mike Chamness, represents a powerful and broad spectrum of voices throughout the entire   region.  Though by no means intended to be an exhaustive collection of all the great poets there are to discover here, let this anthology speak as an introduction to the soul of our communities, here in this great city, the belly of the beast, Los Angeles, California.   “That a Revolutionary Poets Brigade exists in Los Angeles is a bit of a miracle and thanks to Mark Lipman in ElAye th...

(Above: Members of The Los Angeles Poet Society celebrate their 1st Meet n Greet at The World Stage!) SAVE THE WORLD STAGE! SIGN THE PETITION:   http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-eric-garcetti-and-los-angeles-city-council-save-the-world-stage-in-leimert-park#intro It is with great respect and concern that we save this literary heartbeat in the African American community of Leimert Park! Not only has it welcomed so many talented individuals to its stage, it is also a place where community can come together and grow -- there are workshop offerings, open mics, open jam sessions, musicianship tutoring. On a personal note,  The World Stage  was kind and and opened its doors to the Los Angeles Poet Society, as we held our 1st Member Meet n Greet there! The Artistic Director, Conney Williams, is also a LAPS Member. Let's be there for each other! The World Stage is a special place -- please don't let the city take it away from us! SAVE THE WORLD STAGE!...

Jessica Wilson at 100 Thousand Poets for Change, 2013 -- Los Angeles, California! Held at Beyond Baroque, the historic site and home of the Venice West Beat Poets! Video streaming by Ustream

Gearing up for 100 Thousand Poets | Musicians for Change, 2013!!! The world is ready...growing hungry to hear the cries, see the passions in the stance for CHANGE! September 28th and September 29th, the Los Angeles Poet Society is leading the masses to the microphones, the stages, the soapboxes... Let's do this together! TODAY WE CHANGE OUR WORLD! 2 spots: Venice and North Hollywood! Check out Los Angeles' 100TPC homepage to see all of the Poets and Musicians currently involved:  http://www.100tpcmedia.org/ 100TPC2012/2013/05/jessica- wilson-los-angeles-2013/ Want in on this? Email me! venicesoapboxpoets@gmail.com

Metal Babe Shindig! With: Kelli, Dylan, Gayle, Scotty, Jessica, Juan, Dezzy, Alison, & Mike!

This was taken by Poet, Actor, awesome fella, Sean Hill! :) Julio and I co-hosted the early Writer Wednesday series at the Republic of Pie! Above: Reading from Joe Gardner's poem "An Open Letter to Anyone Who Will Listen"

    Jessica Wilson hosts two events for 100 TPC:   9/28/2013 :  Global 100 Thousand Poets/Musicians for Change Day at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA *This event will be focused more on Poetry for Change *   9/29/2013 : 100 Thousand Poets/Musicians for Change, North Hollywood (The NoHo Salon) at Bob's Espresso Bar, 5251 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA   *This event will be focused more on Music for Change*   ORGANIZER: Jessica Wilson   CONTACT: venicesoapboxpoets@gmail.com Organizers for Los Angeles 100 TPC and TMC with Founders Terri Carrion and Michael Rothenberg 100 Thousand Poets for Change – Day September 28, 2013 Celebrating and spreading the word for change. It is the embodiment of our hearts, our minds, fused with spirit to see change in the things of the world. Our current world is pained…this is an opportunity to join as one collective voice around the world that acknowledges tha...

Today, there was a man on the train he was dipped in dapper and  dabbed a bit shabby, he was whole. a cane held him up. as the train jolted, he'd zig, but his feet held firm. He asked if we knew the most incredible entertainer in all the world. Dead eyes... silence, ears plugged with electronics sound escaping. He said, "Sammy Davis Jr." and began to sing "I got to be me...what else can I be but what I am...",  with each note  dragged into a deep cantos... He'd hum one note for seconds, a deep powerful growl and certainty. He was certain. ) When life seems that it no longer reflects what you aim to see in yourself in your love in your world that it does matter the words knock you on your head... "I gotta be me..." why would anyone want to live only partially alive? ( After he belted out the song without apology of invading spaces eyeballing faces with tears of acknowledgement, this is truth...  we clapped. I ...

I am super excited to be joining the team and representing Los Angeles and Los Angeles Poets!

Joe Gardner serves up his poetry without any bullshit! Interviewed by Jessica Wilson I first met Joe Gardner at the downtown mecca for literary delight, The Last Bookstore . We were there for a reading hosted by the fabulous and one of the most generous Angeleno Poets, Mike ThePoet Sonksen . As soon as I heard Joe at the mic I was astounded. His work was genuine, raw, and said truth with no colorful innuendos or analogies, his work is core-shaking. It shook me! I immediately introduced myself to him after the reading and offered him a spot to join my open mic series. Since that moment, Joe has stayed in my brain. Each time he reads I am simply amazed with his work, and Joe is a humble Poet, often times I think I make him blush, but he is a damn genius! I had a desire to make him blush some more and interview him because the WORLD needs to read Joe Gardner ! Here’s how it all went: Jessica:  Where are you from and how do you think the place you’re from has affected...