What is This? A Conversation Between 10 Poets is a collection, a collaboration, and an anthology. It began with the first poem, written by Gaea Bailey. When she presented the poem for critique, her fellow poets immediately began a discussion that answered the question posed...what is this? Nine poets from different parts of the United States wrote 17 poems in response and this book was born. The works included here center around varied themes and viewpoints. We hope our readers come to the realization there is no one right way to read and understand a poem. Even with clear, straightforward styles, skilled poets leave a little space for the imagination and worldview of their audience to interpret their words.

10 poets came together to ask and answer the question posed by the first poem "What is this?" Gaea Bailey, contributor of the first poem also had the pleasure of overseeing the publication of this book. Contributors of the answering poems are Bob Blatz, Kit Boyer, Michael D. Huff, Benjamin McClellan, Ien Nivens, Yvette Saenz, Randy Sproat, Jasen Randall Thompson, and Barbara Whitesides Pena.
Gaea Bailey found new life in her poetry in recent years after decades of writing for academia and businesses in Arizona. Born in upstate New York, she was fortunate to attend a regional public high school that enriched her learning experiences with advanced courses not only in science and math but also in literature and writing. Part of that writing curriculum was the art of poetry. During the recent worldwide gap in the bustle of life, she was reminded of her love for writing the creative thought, and returned to poetry forms she had left behind. A new way of writing introduced itself to her, one she terms as poetic frenzy. She allows the words, phrases, and ideas to come to her while in front of the computer or with pen in hand. That is how the first poem in this collection was created and explains the question it leaves behind, What is This? Her latest endeavor, Old Hunt Road Press, brings these poems to the public. She is planning for a collection of her own poems "An Afternoon of Perspicacity," to be released during the first half of 2025.
Bob is working toward a creative writing certificate at Mesa Community College where he has been teaching Child & Family Studies and Education courses since 2007.
Bob and his wife, Linda, are compiling a collection of letters, poetic rants, and snide attacks on the universe following the death of their daughter, Margot, from an overdose.
Kit Boyer is a writer. She is publishing a poetry chapbook with the assistance of a local arts grant. She's written serialized fiction, hosted a writing podcast, worked as an editor, and facilitated several in-person and online writing critique groups. Kit believes in a thing called love.
My name is Michael D. Huff. Writing gives me a chance for my love of storytelling and imagination to take life. I recently published "For The Love I Found," a story about a young woman finding love within her best friend. It is a story that truly moves one with the power and acceptance of love. It is available on Amazon.
Retired music teacher of 25 years, musician and poet. Recently published new
book titled Regaining Belief: A Personal Medicine Collective, available on Amazon.
An artist and educator by training and a poet/novelist by inclination, Ien Nivens grew up on the pentecostal plains of Oklahoma. He currently lives in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife, the quilt artist Michelle Jensen, Kirby, aka Best Dog Ever, and a feline terrorist known as Jalepeno.
Mr. Nivens is the author of The American Book of Changes, a re-interpretation and reinvigoration of the 64 hexagrams of the classic Chinese divination system known as the I Ching. Tangible Angels is his first novel. He is currently working on a fantasy series about a disfigured princess and her portraitist.
I am a writer from Alice, Texas. I live in Tucson, where I'm a graduate student in the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing at University of Arizona. My first chapbook of poems South Texas Starry Night (Shut Eye Press) will be available for purchase sometime in late 2024-early 2025. The book is my narrative poetry about growing up in an oilfield town in rural South Texas in a family full of chaos, love, and art, then attending Harvard University and experiencing extreme culture shock, and finally understanding my family's dark history and accepting myself via my interaction with the visual art of Vincent Van Gogh. I am currently working on a creative non-fiction book tentatively titled Van Gogh's Women. To purchase a copy of my chapbook or for other book/writing related questions or comments, email me at ysaenzwrites@gmail.com.
Randy Sproat has lived in Arizona his entire life. He has been writing poetry since kindergarten. He has hosted in-person and online critiques in the Phoenix Metro area and continues to write and share his work.
I wrote my first poem at the age of 13. That poem was selected for a statewide competition. I served in the Marine Corps during which I occasionally competed in poetry competitions. I am father of two adults and have been a member of the Red Sands community for about two years.
My love of creative writing was born when I was very young. My daddy, a WWII veteran and ex-prisoner of war, loved the beauty of the English language. He lovingly corrected my words, both spoken and written, and that of my two sisters, because he knew the power of its usage. He quoted Shakespearean soliloquies when occasions arose for their appropriate use. He set the standard that has driven my appreciation and passion for the perfect word and its perfect placement.
I was born and spent the first twenty-three years of my life in South Louisiana. The beauty and lushness of that environment and the creatures that inhabit the swamps and bayous fill my thoughts and dreams. Although I live in the desert Southwest, I continue to be deeply influenced by the waters and peoples who call that world their home.
I began composing poetry forty years ago when I was working on a university degree. In the last five years I began anew when I was encouraged to create by my friend and mentor, Dr. Marythelma Brainard Ransom. I am immeasurably grateful to her and to my husband, Stan, who supports me in all I do. While this is my first poem in print, I am working toward a personal collection to be published soon.

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