Our Poetry Monday editor, Irene Willis, is on vacation so there will be no Poetry Monday June.

David Holper

Good Morning, Everyone,

Our poet today, David Holper, has an unusually interesting background.  He lives in Eureka, California, where he served as the City of Eureka’s inaugural Poet Laureate from August 2019-August 2021.  He has published three collections of poetry, including Language Lessons: A Linguistic Hejira (Deeper Magic Press, 2023), from which today’s poems have been chosen.  Other books have been The Bridge (Sequoia Song Publications) and 64 Questions (March Street Press).  His poems have appeared in many literary journals and anthologies, and have won numerous competitions, including the Synkroniciti award for best poem in its September 2023 issue; second place in relationships for Write from the Heart Anthology 2023; the Barbara Curiel Award for his poem “Depaysement” in Toyon 2018; and the Jodi Stutz from Toyon 2017 for his poem “Cana de Azucar.”  Additionally, he has been nominated for a Pushcart by Relief Journal for a poem called “Doubt.”

He is also a writer of fiction, which has appeared in various quarterlies, including Grand Street, the New Virginia Review, and Callaloo.

It’s my pleasure to share the following three poems from his latest book, Language Lessons: A Linguistic Hejira:

Vade Mecum