The Poets

Clarence Barbee returns to the show with his saxophone and excerpts from his new book, Lessons and Libations, available for free here.Clarence Barbee is a multi-talented individual known for his literary achievements. As the author of multiple distinct works, “Chicken Soup and a Shot of Jack” and his debut poetry book “Fire Molten and Ash,” he showcases his versatility and creativity. Now, with the release of Lessons and Libations, Clarence continues to display a wit and keenness in his written (and spoken) works.With a background as a spoken word artist, he has mastered the art of weaving words into evocative pieces that resonate with emotions. He was known for traveling the southeastern US under the stage name Nabraska. Currently serving as an educator in the Denver area, Clarence continues to inspire and shape young and old minds. He’s also a pretty great girl Dad!His passion for writing remains unwavering as he diligently works on new ventures, including upcoming books, short stories, and poetry collections, further solidifying his place in the literary world.Follow Clarence on IG ⁠@authorclarencebarbee⁠ and ⁠@poet402⁠Clarence’s Works can be found through the following links: ⁠On The Brink (Chapbook/ebook) 3/2013⁠ ⁠Shattered (Chapbook/ebook) 3/2013⁠ ⁠Chicken Soup & A Shot of Jack (essays/poetry/short stories) 6/2015⁠⁠Fire Molten & Ash (poetry) 1/2020⁠

In this special episode, enjoy a live recorded duet performance of "Nothing New Under The Sun" performed by SETH and Lady Julianne. Recorded on Friday, November 21st at The Pearl in downtown Denver, CO.--@ladyjulianneeladyjulianne.coSETH's website

And now, the one and only Marilyn Megenity-Matriarch, Astrology, Mother, Poet, Playwright, Patron of the Arts, Friend, Grandmother, Activist, Cultural Revolutionary, Humanitarian, Environmentalist, Lover, Earth Lover, Restaurateur, Pacifist, Diviner, Mystic, Dancer, Feminist, Gardener, Leader, Community Builder, Satirist, Executive Chef, Businesswoman, Mentor, Actor, Brilliant, Beloved, Ineffable, Unstoppable founder and chef of the three ring circus, The Mercury Cafe.Feeding patrons healthy food for 46 years, her exploration of arts, politics, and community that surrounded food began on the Ides Of March 1975 in Indian Hills Colorado. After several incarnations in Denver, The Mercury Cafe settled at 2199 California St, the center of town in 1990, opening on Halloween.Marilyn would like to remind you Local Organic Food is your birthright.-Philip Tran is a poet of many mediums—words, collage, and the ephemeral art of live performance. Hailing from Denver, he is a passport-wielding wanderer, a florist with an eye for beauty, a handyman with a poet’s touch, a roller skater chasing rhythm, and an emcee who curates spaces where voices rise and resonate.As the longtime host of Denver’s beloved 4th Friday poetry open mic—formerly at The Mercury Cafe, soon to be The Pearl—Philip fosters a stage where vulnerability meets applause. His podcast, From My Open Mic, captures the raw electricity of live poetry, available on Spotify.In 2023, he launched Bound By The Beat, an event weaving together Denver’s rope bondage and jazz communities, an experiment in trust, tension, and improvisation. Stay tuned for the next edition of Bound By The Beat.With a choose-your-own-adventure poetry book in the works and a hunger for new stages, Philip may soon be performing near you. When asked what superpower he’d choose, he answered: To awaken the superpowers in those unaware of their own.@invader_4 & (NSFW) @invader__4

Today we have a special edition of The Poets. Local poet Ryan Flannigan recorded his double album, To Plant a Poem, by performing it live for his friends in studio with Coven Recording and Sound. This episode is a teaser with a bit of their conversations around poetry and some of the poems from the album.You can get the full album on Bandcamp. Ryan Flannigan (he/him) is a Denver based written and spoken-word poet who works in narrative, lyrical, and abstract forms—exploring themes of addiction, spirituality, and identity.Follow Ryan on Instagram @flandragon.the.mighty_ishHuge shout out and thank you to Lady Julianne and Sabrina Baker, who joined us in studio as special guests. Follow them as well @ladyjuliannee and @s.e.elune.poetryThis album was recorded and produced by Coven Recording and Sound, in case you find yourself inspired to record a project of your own (;

Mr. Bravo, aka Abraham Bravo, joins me to discuss his new book Love Hurts When Never Said, his poetry as whole, and the Slam Poetry scene in Phoenix, AZ.Mr. Abraham Bravo is a Phoenix-based poet, performer, and author whose work bridges humor, vulnerability, and lyrical craft. He has built a reputation in the Arizona poetry scene for blending sharp wit with raw introspection, captivating audiences with both page and stage presence.In 2023, he stepped onto the stage for his first open mic — and he hasn’t looked back since. By August 2024, he entered his first slam, and in 2025 he became the inaugural champion of the Tucson Slam.After turning to poetry as a way to process grief and navigate mental health struggles, Mr. Bravo quickly developed a voice that resonates widely. His debut collection, Love Hurts When Never Said (October 10, 2025), gathers his signature mix of metaphor, rhythm, and emotional candor into a cohesive work that explores unspoken emotion, resilience, and identity.Mr. Bravo doesn’t write to impress — he writes to feel, to process, to heal. His work often explores mental health struggles, identity, and grief with raw honesty. When he speaks, he only hopes you will listen.

Born some 30ish odd years ago in a Louisianan mill town called Bogalusa, Sunshine Whysteria Empress Abaddon attended the University of New Orleans for Anthropological and Film Studies for 6 years. A Hurricane Katrina survivor, she picked up and moved to Denver following her maternal grandfather's death in 2017. She is without a doubt a multi talented individual, because it says so on her business cards. In addition to poetry she has written in-depth articles for OUTFront Magazine, is a Colorado Public Notary, and Foster Mother for Denver Animal Shelter, specializing in long term care for court cases and The Denver Safe Haven Program. She also briefly worked for Former CO Rep Leslie Herod during her Mayoral Race. If you're residing in Capitol Hill you may come across her walking her Foster Dog someday.

Mitchel David Ring is a writer, poet, audio engineer, and the creator and host of The Poets, a podcast featuring poets and other artists sharing and discussing their work....and other poems is the debut poetry collection of Mitchel David Ring.Print copies of ...and other poems can be purchased here.Read (and listen to) Mitch's poetry at mitcheldavidring.comListen to The Poets at thepoets.coMitch also runs Coven Recording and Sound, a full service audio production company. Contact for inquiries at covenrecording.comOn this episode, Mitch is interviewed by his partner Lady Julianne (@ladyjuliannee @emmajuliannee) regarding his book release, poetry, love, the sacred feminine, and much more. Lady Julianne is a Denver based poet, performer, and typewriter poet who is available for bookings at ladyjulianne.co

Christian Lesniak features to share his work and discuss many topics including his poetry, to be or not to be a rapper, the use and misuse of language by the political right and left, the dangers of instant gratification when it comes to art, and much more.

Julian Thomas is an actor born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is best known for appearing in Jordan Peele's "Hunters" (2020), ABC's "For Life" (2020), and "Day of the Dead II: Contagium" (2005). He has also appeared in numerous comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.Julian Thomas graduated from the notable theatre program at Northwestern University. Most recently Julian has narrated a number of audio books in fiction and non-fiction, including "We Matter; Athletes and Activism", a collection of essays and interviews with high profile journalists, political activists and professional athletes, in which they explore the social justice landscape of today. It is available on Audible and Itunes.https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2003537/?ref_=ext_shr

Sophia Goodnight is a transgender poet and writer who has been performing at open mic nights since 2018, which also happens to be when she started transitioning. Her primary inspirations for her poetry are the declaration "it is impossible to say just what I mean!" and the question "so how should I presume?" She lives with three partners and has a fourth, which is important context for her whole deal. Sophia was formerly one of the hosts of the All Out Artists & Co. Open Mic, which went defunct in the wake of the pandemic. Some of her poetry can be found on tumblr at Sophia-Goodnight-Poetry, as well as on Patreon at SophiaGoodnight. In addition to her poetry, she is one of the hosts of the Star Wars Legends podcast We Have To Talk About Dash Rendar.

Arthur Bellfield is a poetic storyteller, filmmaker, wellness advocate, life coach, and cultural architect whose work bridges lyrical activism and soulful reflection. Drawing from ancestral wisdom, urban rhythms, and spiritual practice, Arthur’s voice amplifies themes of healing, resistance, and transformation. He founded the Colorado Springs Poetry Slam in the Spring of 2023 as a vehicle for inspiring literary, wellness, creativity, and community! The poetry slam host monthly events which bridge the gap between the literary arts movement and the musical sectors by empowering performers of all types and talent levels to live within their truths! Recently, Arthur has started conducting Poetic Wellness Workshops to give people additional tools to help them on their spiritual or healing journeys. www.coloradospringspoetryslam.comhttps://www.fox21news.com/living-local/colorado-springs-poetry-slam-what-you-need-to-know/https://www.visitcos.com/blog/spend-a-day-in-cos-at-these-black-owned-businesses/

S.L. Alderton is a Denver poet and librarian. Her work has appeared in publications such as Twenty Bellows, 2River View, and Suspect Press, as well as local independent zines. Her favourite things include Shakespeare, heavy metal, and British spelling. 

April Dawn's first poetry collection, “Lungs Like Elephants,” was published in 2020 and received the Langston Hughes Award from Missouri Southern State University in 2021. In 2022 she began working with 303 Magazine as a music journalist. April is passionate about words in all of their forms and expressions. Her life has been full of experiences both impossibly sour and unbelievably sweet. In all of these moments, she’s embraced the zest.April is a proud graduate of Colorado School of the Healing Arts. She is a lover of live music and spontaneous trips to the hot springs. In her free time, you can find April eating tacos for breakfast, walking her friends’ dogs, or reading and writing in the sun. She is continuously working on her third poetry collection.

Honey B. Honest is a multifaceted visual and performance artist from Denver Colorado. She's been a host and organizer at Mercury Cafe's Sunday night open mic and slam, as well as partnered with organizations that aim to offer artistic opportunities to communities in need such as The Gathering Place, Redline Art Gallery, Art Restart and Boulevard One. Many describe her performances as eccentric, energetic, and genuine. The stories told through her poetry are personal accounts used to inspire listeners and readers to express themselves authentically and practice healing and self-care.__Holly Ajala (also known as TheGoodSis) is a writer and storyteller with a fierce belief in the power of effective narrative to inspire empathy in the face of difference, to propel the reach of social justice and above all, to challenge human beings to be more human. Her words have been featured in Ayo Magazine, AfriWowWri Literary Journal and more. Holly truly believes that good stories can change the world.All human experiences are cosmic eventsQuantum miraclesAtomic revelations__Recorded June 16, 2025__Produced by Coven Recording and Sound

Photographer turned poet turned essayist turned overall annoyance, Stone (they/them) explores themes of sobriety, queerness, and self love. Their works appear in publications such as Gnashing Teeth, Red Rose Thorns Journal, and have been featured on Button Poetry. Currently, they are editor in chief of Retrograde Review, an online zine dedicated to change.  They reside in Denver, but you can find them online @stonewroteapoem or @persephone_stone but you can also probably find them wherever Taylor Swift is playing, wherever there are good mocktails, or wherever there are disco balls

Ally Eden (she/they) is a queer artist and former Poet Laureate of Fort Collins, Colorado. An English/Spanish interpreter by trade, their role as a linguist parallels their poetic ethos— bridging difference by way of words. Ally’s work is vibrant, unabashedly poignant, and rooted in love for humanity. In her approach to art as a practice, she strives to curate participatory experiences that offer everyone a seat at the table. She co-founded the Gulo Gulo Poetry Collective, runs a bimonthly peer-critique group, The Rabbit Hutch, and facilitates collaborations and workshops that bring together musicians and artists, immigrants and refugees, incarcerated writers, fellow writers, queer youth, and the community at-large. Ally’s work has been featured in Milk Press, The Imaginables, Nudie Magazine, Scrapped Magazine, and “Songs of Revolution” by Sunday Mornings at the River. Learn more and get connected at allyeden.com

My name is Dominick I go by Dom. I been in Colorado for five years and looking forward to the next 10-15 years here. I’m madly in love with the city of Denver. I’m a poet that stumbled into literary art. The goal is to a raise a daughter and retire my mom. I’m here for the city and like everybody else serving a purpose I want to be used not misused. Write on! Find Dominick on:MediumYoutubeInstagramSnapchatTikTokTwitter

In this episode recent guest Philip Tran returns for a part 2 of the long goodbye to the Mercury Cafe. Last time, we announced Waning Mercury, Waxing Pearl, a live recorded send off for the legendary venue. That event can be listened to in its 3+ hour entirety on episodes 125-127. On this episode, Philip returns to discuss moving forward now that the Mercury Cafe has been re-christened as The Pearl with new ownership. I'm deeply appreciative to Philip for coming on the show and giving the Merc as good a send-off as we were able to. Hope you all enjoy the episode. I am looking forward to whatever comes next—the good and the bad. In this episode Philip and I also discuss many other topics around poetry—what we look for in a poem, attachment, how to read poetry, how to "fix" poetry, appetites, and much much more.Philip Tran is a poet of many mediums—words, collage, and the ephemeral art of live performance. Hailing from Denver, he is a passport-wielding wanderer, a florist with an eye for beauty, a handyman with a poet’s touch, a roller skater chasing rhythm, and an emcee who curates spaces where voices rise and resonate.As the longtime host of Denver’s beloved 4th Friday poetry open mic—formerly at The Mercury Cafe, soon to be The Pearl—Philip fosters a stage where vulnerability meets applause. His podcast, From My Open Mic, captures the raw electricity of live poetry, available on Spotify.In 2023, he launched Bound By The Beat, an event weaving together Denver’s rope bondage and jazz communities, an experiment in trust, tension, and improvisation. The next Bound By The Beat is on May 31st, which we discuss in the episode. With a choose-your-own-adventure poetry book in the works and a hunger for new stages, Philip may soon be performing near you. When asked what superpower he’d choose, he answered: To awaken the superpowers in those unaware of their own.@invader_4 & (NSFW) @invader__4

Holly Ajala (also known as TheGoodSis) is a writer and storyteller with a fierce belief in the power of effective narrative to inspire empathy in the face of difference, to propel the reach of social justice and above all, to challenge human beings to be more human. Her words have been featured in Ayo Magazine, AfriWowWri Literary Journal and more. Holly truly believes that good stories can change the world.All human experiences are cosmic eventsQuantum miraclesAtomic revelationsRecorded on April 7th, 2025Produced by Coven Recording and Sound

Carly Liberi (she/her) is a queer poet, depth therapist, and oracle reader. Her work is a conch shell to the ear of those who feel too much, for the parts of ourselves we’re still learning to love, and for those whose voices have been silenced. Embracing life’s mysteries, Carly creates in the liberated space between anything and everything.HallwayBirdsongQueer not QuietSensitiveFullHeart on LoanSpiral