Tag: Brook Bhagat

“I Remember It Was Called an Ash, the Baby Tree That Was” Published in Bite More, Smash More: Red Ogre Review’s 2024-2025 Anthology

Brook Bhagat

I don’t write a lot of trauma poetry, but “I Remember It Was Called an Ash, the Baby Tree That Was” wanted to come into the world. I hope it does some good, somehow, and I hope the little girl I wrote it for is ok, wherever she is. The collection features dozens of poets, ranging from exciting new voices to multiple major prize winners, prestigious grant and fellowship recipients, Poet Laureates, and well-known names. Bite More, Smash More: Red Ogre Review’s 2024-2025 Anthology is the fourth book in the series from Red Ogre Review. It was released on November 30 and is available now on Amazon.

“Wanderstar,” a Tribute to Andrea Gibson, Forthcoming in Anthology

Brook Bhagat

I am proud to share that my poem, “Wanderstar,” is forthcoming in the 40 West Arts District anthology Progress, not Perfection. “Wanderstar” honors Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson, who died of cancer last summer. The anthology includes a special subsection of poetry dedicated to Gibson, each one written after a different poem of theirs. “Wanderstar” is written after Andrea Gibson’s Orbit.

I learned about the unique poetry writing prompt and opportunity in a workshop facilitated by 40 West Arts District Poet Laureate Marissa Forbes at the Castle Rock Writers’ Conference in August. Truly, it is a small Nearby Universe after all!

I will be reading “Wanderstar” at the anthology launch party from 3-6 pm on Saturday, December 13, at Mint & Serif, 1388 Carr St. in Lakewood, CO. Progress, not Perfection can be purchased using the online order form, and all preorders receive 10% off. Please join us for this unique opportunity to celebrate Andrea Gibson and this amazing collection!

Celebrating Poetry and Community at Queer Lit Night

Brook Bhagat

The bravest poems are magic. When spoken aloud, they make our armor disappear in thin air. They open our eyes and hearts. Then the next heart finds a voice, and the next. Queer Lit Night, at the PPSC Learning Commons last month, was that kind of magical poetry reading.

The evening included poetry from visiting authors Ashley Cornelius and Nico Wilkinson, faculty members Kenny Idleman and me, and students and community members who shared on the queer open mic. It was an experience of beauty, art, and community I’ll never forget. Thank you so much to everyone who came and helped make it possible, especially Ashley, Nico, Dean Deidre, Cecilia Kruger, Rotimi Ariyo, Laurie Anderson, Amie Sharp, Emily Forand, and Sharon Bjorkman and the Queer Empowerment Club.

Queer Lit Night is On at Pikes Peak State College

Brook Bhagat

I’m happy to share that Queer Lit Night has been rescheduled for Wed, Nov 12 from 5-7 pm at the Pikes Peak State College Downtown Learning Commons, 100 W. Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs. The evening will feature readings and performances from two amazing queer writers, Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and Nico Wilkinson. I’m the host/organizer/MC, and I’ll read my work as well.

Next, we’ll open up the mic to all LGBTQIA+ voices from PPSC and the larger Colorado Springs community (3-5 min. each- sign up at 4:45 pm). Book signings & sales to follow- meet the authors and learn about student clubs. This event is free and open to the public.

The purpose of Queer Lit Night is to celebrate the creativity and joy of the queer community at PPSC and beyond, and give these voices a platform. Art in all its forms serves to crystallize emotions: when we listen to music or poetry or stories, it becomes easier to laugh, to cry, to hope or rage or dance. Art helps us feel, and it reminds us that we all feel the same things, that we are not alone. 

LGBTQIA+ folks, especially young people, suffer higher rates of abuse, addiction, suicide, and hate crimes. Self-expression through visual art, music, writing, theatre, etc. is a kind of magic—it makes us feel alive and helps bring meaning to life. Sharing that art brings the magic to another level and creates community. Seeing queer role models like Ashley Cornelius, Nico Wilkinson, and faculty members sharing their work can be inspirational, showing ways to thrive in a world that does not always welcome us.

Students can share on the mic or just listen and make connections at this event. Ashley and Nico each run local organizations—Poetry 719 and Keep Colorado Springs Queer, respectively—that hold events and gatherings that encourage self-expression. There will be tables where students can learn about PPSC clubs like Spectrum and Queer Empowerment as well. All these organizations provide ways to deepen and maintain connection and community.

Violence is always a failure; it means people have failed to see each other’s humanity. The killing of Charlie Kirk was one such failure. In the wake of this tragedy, which happened just two weeks before Queer Lit Night was planned in September, our event was postponed, like other local and national events, out of an abundance of caution.

Conversely, rescheduling Queer Lit Night feels like a small triumph. It is a sign that we are once again on the path of finding common ground, recognizing and celebrating the light in each of us, the building blocks of making this world a better place.

“The Master” published in Osho News

Brook Bhagat

I’m so proud to share that my prose poem, “The Master,” from Only Flying, has been published in Osho News! This piece is about the most beautiful dream I ever had, a dream whose essence lingered over my waking life for weeks, a fragrance of roses drifting in from the windows of the beyond. Read it here: “The Master”