Rockford Resident Publishes First Book of Outlaw Poetry

Rockford poet Dennis Gulling, a thirty year veteran of the small press scene, and editor of crawlspace from 1980-1989, has had his first full-length book of poetry, The Blood Dark Sea, published by Zombie Logic Press in Rockford.

The book is 100 pages of what can best be described as noir poetry. Each short poem is a vignette best suited to a 1930's style noir movie, complete with a menagerie of characters engaging in mayhem, small time turpitude, and a gamut of despicable behavior one might expect to see on the police blotter, or an episode of Cops. And the subject matter seems completely organic and appropriate, coming from Rockford, the FBI's 3rd most dangerous city in America. These are characters down on their luck, experiencing epic "bad days," or just making bad decisions. The reader becomes the beneficiary of all this carnage, as the German concept of schadenfreude is in full force in these tiny cautionary tales.

However, the attitude of the poet is not one of judgement or even a prurient interest in shocking the reader with the morbid details. These poems are delivered even-handedly, with no condescension or judgement, and with a wry humor that finishes each scenarios as quickly and unexpectedly as a prison shivving. Gulling's thirty years spent honing his craft are in full evidence here in this collection that spans his decades of writing. Here's a sample of Gulling's dry, humorous take on small time debauchery and depravity...

GIRL ON THE HOOD OF A CAMARO

He saw her in the parking lot
When he was going
Into Carmen’s Liquors
She was sitting
On the hood of a black ‘69 Camaro
White leather skirt
Up to her hips
Yellow blouse cut low
She couldn’t have been
More than 17
She was blowing bubble gum
And combing her bright blond hair
Staring at nothing
He watched
For almost a minute
Then went in to do the job
Pulled a .22 on the clerk
And told her to open the register
The clerk came up with a gun of her own
So fast he didn’t know what happened
She put a bullet point blank
In his chest
And he went down
In front of a rotating wine cooler display
People started peeking in through the windows
But keeping low
When they saw the clerk standing
Over the body
They came in for a closer look
Pretty soon there was a crowd
Around the front of the store
And the police started pouring in

But the girl still sat
On the hood of the Camaro blowing bubbles
Still staring at nothing
In the red glow
Of the police lights
It looked like she was
Combing blood from her hair
-from Outlaw Poetry Blog


The Blood Dark Sea is available from Rockford poetry publisher Zombie Logic Press and those interested in further information or review copies may contact publisher Thomas L. Vaultonburg for more information.

Waiting 4 the Bus in January

Waiting4theBus in January

Monday, January 18
at 7 PM - 9 PM
Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647


Welcom to 2016. Waiting 4 the Bus is back and cooler than ever before. Chicago's most laid back literary open mic opens their season with Roberta Miles.

Join the Weirdo nation at Uncharted Books for stories and poems and such. We're at 2620 N. Milwaukee, Check the address and look for the chalkboard out front.
Showtime is from7-9 pm
you get 3 poems or 5 minutes whichever comes first.
signup upon arrival
do your best to be on time

Waiting 4 the Bus on Monday the 19th

Monday, October 19
at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

the first show at the new digs went super cool. We had some old Weirdos and some brand new Weirdos. (did I mention that members of the collective are called Weirdos)

Anywho...
come out and see us on October 19th for a taste of Halloween. It's been a long time since we have had a theme and this time, in honor of the holiday, it's horror. bring out your scary poems about death, fear, growing up, politics or whatever keeps you awake at night

we are still at Uncharted Books, 2620 N. Milwaukee. (read the address, not the sign) from 7-9 pm. If you can make it early to help with set up, the poetry gods will stop hiding your muse for a minute and give you a great big hug.

Aside from the open mic, We will be featuring Poetry Pentathlon winner Jacqueline Harris & the legendary and elusive Charlie Rossiter.

get your groove on, get your poem on, and, certainly put your pants on, and join us in Waiting 4 the Bus LINK TO FACEBOOK EVENT
https://www.facebook.com/events/1503488336639727/

Sept 26: Fight the Power

Red Rover Series 

{readings that play with reading}

Experiment #89: 
Fight the Power

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th
7pm / doors lock 7:30pm

A special event with

100 Thousand Poets for Change
http://www.100tpcmedia.org

On September 26, 2015, many poets around the world will make their voices heard. To declare the change they'd like to see most in the U.S. and throughout the international community, events are being staged worldwide as part of 100 Thousand Poets for Change.  In Chicago, this night of poetry and activism is based on the theme "Fight the Power".  Inspired by Public Enemy's song Fight the Power, local writers will address standing up to the big man, the boss, the entities that have control over many aspect of our lives.  Fighting negative power by doing positive work over time.  Fighting the power in any way you can.

FEATURING:

Toby Altman, Jay Besemer, Sarah Carson, Andrea Change, Adrienne Dodt, Rey Escobar, Dan Godston, Tracie Hall, Marcy Rae Henry, Kortney Morrow, Daniela Olszewska, Lew Rosenbaum, Alix Anne Shaw, Nat Sufrin, Diana Goddess Warrior Tyler, avery r. young + more special guests

at Outer Space Studio
1474 N. Milwaukee Ave
suggested donation $4 

logistics --

near CTA Damen blue line
third floor walk up
not wheelchair accessible

Co-sponsored by the Guild Complex & the Chicago Calling Arts Festival Curated by the 100 Thousand Poets for Change, Chicago Community Council 2015:  Barbara Barg, Laura Goldstein, Jennifer Karmin, Toni Asante Lightfoot & Kenyatta Rogers

Red Rover Series is curated by Laura Goldstein and Jennifer Karmin. Each event is designed as a reading experiment with participation by local, national, and international writers, artists, and performers. Founded in 2005, the over eighty events have featured a diversity of renowned creative minds.

WOW WOW WOW

Red Rover Series
on facebook? why not?

National Beat Poetry Festival (the Chicago Sessions)

The National Beat Poetry Festival

The Chicago Session

Hosted by Charlie Newman

Featuring:

Al DeGenova

Billy Tuggle

Buddha 309

Charlie Newman

Elizabeth Haper

Larry Sawyer

Lucia Blinn

John Goode

Paul Ryan

Steve Schroeder

Wayne Allan Jones

September 20

1:00-5:00p

The Chopin Theater

1543 West Division / Chicago, IL 60642

Outsider Poetry Now Open To Submissions

After dealing with mental illness my entire adult life I have decided to create a new online literary review called Outsider Poetry for anyone who considers themselves as creating poetry or art with mental illness, is self-taught, or feels they are marganilized by society. Submissions are accepted anytime. Poetry, short stories, photography, painting, or whatever format you feel expresses how you deal with being an Outsider will be consider. I try to respond to submissions in two weeks or less, and if I accept the submission I usually post it right away. Interested contributors can send their work to me at outsiderpoetthomas@gmail.com

Do not quit, send some poetry to Outsider Poetry

Pentathlon registration is closed- come check out the poetry heroes