Exploring Upcoming Events, New Poetry and My Quixotic Efforts to Save the World

I’ve had a year filled with creativity and challenges. I just completed my second book since Surviving Home, and now I’m facing the next hurdle—finding publishers for my work. This, of course, is easier said than done. I often struggle to find the time for submissions because I’m always writing—if I’m not writing stories, I’m writing content for the Peace Economy Project.

For those who aren’t aware, I serve as the Executive Director of the Peace Economy Project, an organization that advocates for a transition from a military-based society to one centered on peace and social needs. Lately, the financial side of this work has been weighing heavily on me. We are running low on funds and urgently need support. I’m sitting with my fingers crossed, waiting to hear back from several grant applications, though the process can be fiercely competitive.

Still, money or no money, I can’t help but move forward. I truly believe in prioritizing social needs above all else—especially when it comes to caring for children.

Below, I’m excited to share details about upcoming events and showcase drafts of new poems that reflect what’s been on my mind lately.

Upcoming Events:

I would love it if you can make the following events. You will love this month's featured Canyon Poet!

Event 1: Canyon Poets Feature Megan Prestridge

Join The Canyon Poets on October 20th for an evening with Megan D. Prestridge, a southern writer from Cloutierville, Louisiana, whose warm wit and storytelling spirit bring to life the rhythms of family, small-town wonder, and the joy of making life beautifully complicated.

Event 2: Speculative Sentience: Storytelling, Empathy, and AI’s Emotional Grammar

Join me along with other scholars, thinkers, writers, and artists from across disciplines for a three-day celebration of half a century of utopian inquiry. The 50th Anniversary Conference of the Society for Utopian Studies marks a milestone in the history of the society, which since its founding in 1975 has fostered vibrant dialogue on utopian visions, theory, practice, and critique.

Set on the scenic Atlantic coast, the conference invites participants to explore the resonances between utopian thought and aquatic imaginaries: oceans, seas, shores, islands, and coastal ecologies. Under the unifying theme Blue Utopias, presenters will examine how utopian dreams engage with maritime spaces—ranging from mythic Atlantis and speculative floating communities to undersea futures, climate change, oceanic migration, detention islands, coastal resilience, and the intersections of water and social justice.

New Poems: A Glimpse into My Creative Process

As I prepare for our upcoming events, I’ve been crafting new poems that reflect my experiences and explore how Civil Rights, language, and history have shaped both my life and my work. Here’s a glimpse into my creative process and the themes that have been emerging in my writing.

Theme 1: We Are Born Blank Slates

One central theme in my work is the innocence of childhood and how during our lives we are imprinted with experiences and trauma:

When we are born, we are clay,

smooth, untouched.

When we are born,

we have no etches, no lines.

Theme 2: A Nod to the Masters

Another prominent theme in my writing is my connections to other poets. I grew up reading Poe, so often my poems will mimic his tone or rhythm. See if you recognize this rhythm:

There’s little left for you to strip—

You were right, you see

You never fit with me.

But if fear remained inside

On that night, I could have died

Outside of blindness, there is glare

There is no blame for me to bear

Theme 3: The Fertile Soil of Los Angeles

My poems cannot help but take me back to Los Angeles. It is where I was born and where I spent the majority of my life:

I was born in South Central, Los Angeles.

I often surprise people when I say that.

People do not see Los Angeles as a place

Where people are born as much as a place

Where people are discovered, but I was

Born there in a hospital that no longer exists.

A serene garden representing peace and creativity

Thank You

Thank you for supporting me and this piece of my life by reading this far. You are appreciated!

Attend Canyon Poets

I hope to see you October 20th!

Share Your Voice

Canyon Poets includes an Open Mic. Join Us!

Support Our Mission

If you believe in our work, consider supporting the Peace Economy Project through donations or volunteer efforts. Your contribution will enable us to sustain our initiatives and broaden our impact within the community.

A Journey Toward Peace and Creativity

I often hope that through poetry and community engagement, we can foster a brighter future for ourselves and everyone around us. I invite you to be part of this journey—whether by attending events or advocating for peace.

Together, we can cultivate a culture of peace and creativity that resonates far beyond our immediate surroundings. Let’s celebrate the power of poetry and collaboration as we strive for a more peaceful world.

With love and peace,

Katerina