Emerging Urban Poet!

Here's a video of the poem I performed at the Emerging Urban Poets 2011 Anthology Reading inside Maui Wowi:

Freedom To Drive

a ton of steel and glass and plastic and rubber
on asphalt and concrete and metal road to reach
a windowed and tabled restaurant to gorge on
cow and pig and chicken and fish to fill belly and
get in car again to arrive at mall steel and glass
and rubber and stucco buildings of opportunity
to try on and plastic card or paper bill purchase
yards of cotton and polyester and rayon and
spandex then plant jeans on leather and vinyl
once more to park wheels and chrome near a
convenience store of plastic and chrome counters
to buy a bunch of plastic and paper packages bags
and bottles easily tossed in either receptacle or
ground and subsequently re-enter a stucco and
rubber and glass and steel building wherein clothes
and food and electronics are stored in wood and on
carpet made to outlast flesh and bone occupants

Amsterdam Cafe!

Here's a video of one of the poems I performed there:

Because I'm A Performer In The Theater Of Life

switch on the microphone
so I can tell you
how I feel about today

you're all seated in rows
this reminds me
I am coupled

watch the clock tick away
I don't sense it
because my mind is busy

step down the stairs
hear the creaking
oh yeah
time is passing

so slide out the screen
let me see
the film of our life together

open the door
allow the sun and wind in
to help me remember
how it feels to be in love

turn up the lights
so all can sight
whom I love so dearly

listen to the speakers
thunder the depth
of my feeling

spot those plugged outlets
prods on how well
we fit together

cover the exit sign
because I don't wish to find
out when our love ends

pull the fire alarm
I want everyone to know
I'm in love with you

thank you audience
your energy makes me
take it all in
a hundred times more

Feature!

TONIGHT, Feral Fusion at the Amsterdam Cafe presents
two of THE INNER FOUR.
They are moi and CALOKIE, plus ELI GOITEIN and REGINA HIGGINS
Location - 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
Sign Up - 8:00 pm
Start - 8:30 pm
Solo poetry/spoken word - 5 minutes or 3 poems
Fusion artists - 10 minutes
Hosted by Angel Uriel Perales and Cindy Weinstein (aka Feral Artist)

Radio!

NEXT WEDNESDAY'S (October 12th) SPECIAL GUEST...moi...at 8:30pm on Poet's Cafe hosted by Lois P. Jones...that's 90.7 FM (www.kpfk.org)

Publication!

My poem YouTube Recommended has been published in Toucan >
http://thetoucanonline.blogspot.com/2011/10/issue-13-table-of-contents.html

KILL RADIO Performance!

Saturday!

I will be featured in the 100 Thousand Poets For Change - World Poetry Festival reading on Saturday, September 24th between 5 and 6pm at Beyond Baroque's SPARC Stage on 681 Venice Blvd. in Venice. For the complete line-up of poets go to > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnzpHegfoo5LdHQtcWZnUkJhM0N2MWZlSVFMN1BiZlE&hl=en_US#gid=0

Tonight!

Don Kingfisher Campbell and friends will be featured on http://www.killradio.org between 7 and 10pm. The program: The 9th Level. The host: James Maverick. The friends: CaLokie, Marvin Dorsey, Eli Goitein, and Mary Torregrossa.

Two new chapbooks!!

It's a doubly poetic feature!! Attack Of The Five Foot Woman features 20 new poems about love and lust. Head Lines continues my anthropological excursions through society in 17 new poems. Chapbooks are $5 each (plus $2 for shipping) or both for $10 (postage paid). To order either or the pair, please go to http://paypal.com and Send Money to kingfisher1031@charter.net, then wait by the ol' mailbox for fast First Class snail mail delivery!

Performance!

Just a reminder I'll be performing YouTube Recommended (and other poems) at 2pm inside the Flintridge Bookstore on 1010 Foothill Blvd. in LaCanada today. I will be joined by the members of The Inner Five (CaLokie, Marvin Dorsey, Eli Goitein and Mary Torregrossa) and we'll be giving away a small chapbook compilation of our work. There will also be an open reading, so you can read too. BTW: thank you Gena Haskett for recording this video! Check out her blog by clicking on Out On The Stoop in the list of websites in the right column of this page.

Publication!

I just got three poems (In The Sea Of Dolphins I Am A Manta Ray, Eve Eve, and Poem) published yesterday on the Epiphany Magazine website > http://epiphmag.com

Feature!

I'm going to be featured in the Moonday East poetry reading series on Sunday, August 21st at the Flintridge Bookstore. Here's a link to the website where you can read three of the poems I'll be performing > http://www.moondaypoetry.com/moonday-east.html

Publication 2!

My basketball poem "From Break To Dunk" (about Blake Griffin in the 2011 NBA Rookie/Soph Game) has also been published on The Write Room website > http://www.thewritemag.com/2011/05/from-break/

Publication!

My poem "Demanifest" has been published on The Write Room website > http://www.thewritemag.com/2011/05/demanifest/

Performance!

Here's a video of me performing my sestina "Green Bell Apples vs Dreadful Toenail Assholes" last night as a featured performer for the Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts event at the Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown.

Judge and Performer!

I was asked to be one of the judges for the first ever Pasadena High School Poetry Slam in their Little Theater on Friday evening, May 27th. As a bonus, I got to perform a poem I wrote on the spot called Because I'm A Student In The Theater Of Life (First Draft, of course) inspired by these surroundings.

Publication!

Just had three poems published (He's An Animal!, The Chinese Way, and Santa Barbara) on the L.A. Poetry Examiner page at >
http://www.examiner.com/poetry-in-los-angeles/la-poetry-examiner-s-fridaypick-3-poems-inspired-by-don-kingfisher-cambell-review

Guest Poet!

On Wednesday I made my 12th annual visit to Clark Magnet High School as a Guest Poet in Mrs. Guarino's Creative Writing classroom. We all had fun having the students ask me questions. I then read some of my poetry from a specially made chapbook I gave to them. Finally we composed new poetry. I always seem to get inspired by their energy (and in this case by the cover of my chapbook, photo below), so here's the poem I wrote:


E3995P1

On a street corner
in a suburban city

Hangs a metal box
attached to a light pole

No bigger than a book
bolted onto cement composite

And on the front of this
rectangle is a face

Two bulbous eyes,
left red, right blue

A small shiny push
button worn nose

And a tiny round flat screw
mouth that mouths, oh!

Like it's shocked that
it's spent decades here

With an affixed white
"hair" plate that points

The way to walk across on
which while someone was waiting

Took the time to etch
HARSH inside the black arrow

For now labeling the life
of an anthropomorphic creation

Eventful past three days!!!

On Wednesday, April 13th, I received my prize for winning the 2011 Whittier Poetry Contest (and also performed the poem) at Half Off Books Records Films.

On Thursday, April 14th, I was a judge for the Teen Poetry Slam at Pasadena Polytechnic High School.


And on Friday, April 15th, I was a judge for the Teen Poetry Slam at the Arcadia Public Library.

Interview!

Was interviewed yesterday by Lois P. Jones for a future broadcast of Poets Cafe on KPFK 90.7FM radio. (I'll keep you posted as to exactly when the show will be aired.) I read 7 poems chosen by Lois from my books Amongst The Detritus and Campbell's Classics: Just An Apple, Anti-Ojos, Biology, Clip Clip Clip, A Moment Of Beginnings, Soundtrack, and Sol.

Award!

I've just been informed that my poem "In The Sea Of Dolphins, I Am A Manta Ray" is the winning poem in the Whittier Poetry Contest. Woo hoo!

Publication!

My poem "How Did Heaven Begin" has been published in the first issue of the Brooklyn-based literary magazine By The Overpass along with an interview of Anne Waldman. Check it out by copying and pasting this > http://overpassbooks.com

Publication!

This photo, and my poem "Knowing", have been published on the Amaranthine Muses website. Check them out, then send your stuff in >
http://amaranthinemuses.wordpress.com/

Now Available!

My 2nd downloadable enhanced poetry album, just copy and paste this web address to sample tracks >
http://www.amazon.com/Inventions/dp/B004QT5H9A/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299464914&sr=301-2

Now Available!

I'm featured on The Inner Four downloadable enhanced poetry album with 24 tracks, featuring 6 by CaLokie, 6 by moi, 6 by Marvin Dorsey, and 6 by Mary Torregrossa. Chapbook of poems available by request >
http://www.amazon.com/The-Inner-Four/dp/B004QN0FK2/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299295999&sr=301-1

Feature!

I will be performing as part of The Inner Three (CaLokie, me, and Marvin Dorsey) poems from our eponymous first downloadable album and accompanying book as featured poets at the Stella Adler Theatre (2nd floor) on 6773 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, Monday night, February 21st at 8pm. There is also an Open Reading. Hosted by Mike The Poet.

Publication!

My classic poem "Joe Sphincter" now published on the Zouch Magazine & Miscellany website. Copy and paste this address to check it out > http://zouchmagazine.com/joe-sphincter-by-don-kingfisher-campbell/

Feature!

I will be performing with the rest of The Inner Four (CaLokie, Marvin Dorsey, and Mary Torregrossa) to debut poems from our first downloadable album and accompanying book as the featured poets at The Rapp Saloon on 1436 2nd Street in Santa Monica this Friday, February 4th, at 8:30pm. There is also an Open Reading. Hosted by Joe Camhi.

Chapbook!

41 features (you guessed it) 41 poems
composed between February and December 2010
Order your copy by going to http://paypal.com
click on Send Money and direct payment of $7.50
(includes postage) to kingfisher1031@charter.net
then just wait by the ol' mailbox for fast first class delivery!

Judge!

Last night I was one of three judges at the Alhambra High School POL competition.

Internet Radio!

Here's a link to the Dr. Andy's Poetry & Technology Hour radio program I guested on in December > http://www.poetrytechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-12-15.mp3

Radio! Video!

Performing Shower last night for James Maverick's Da Joynt on http://killradio.org

Chapbook!

In Memory Of Don Kingfisher Campbell
features 19 poems composed between September and December 2010
Order your copy by going to http://paypal.com
click on Send Money and direct payment of $5
(includes postage) to kingfisher1031@charter.net
then just wait by the ol' mailbox for fast first class delivery!

Publication!

My poem Saturday Sears has been published on The Literary Burlesque website. Check it out by going to > http://theliteraryburlesque.com/index.html

Guest Poet!

I'll be the faraway poet on Dr. Andy's Poetry and Technology Hour radio show broadcasting in the Sacramento area on station KDVS 90.3FM tomorrow at 5pm to promote my book Amongst The Detritus and new Amazon.com downloadable CD Eternal Epitaph. Tune-in if you can pick it up. Website > http://www.poetrytechnology.com/

Judge again!!

Tonight I will be one of the judges at this event. It's Alhambra High vs Pasadena Polytechnic. I'll report back on which team won tomorrow!

Judge!

http://apps.facebook.com/kpccfreeway/en/stories/short-attention-span-poetry-contest-two-lines-no-waiting--2.html

I enjoyed judging the poems in the Short Attention Span Poetry Contest on The Freeway at Facebook. They had a range of subject matter broader than most newspapers. Which made it difficult to judge what two-liner was best. I relied on my poetic aesthetics to make the determinations. What resulted is a top ten. Here they are:

# 1 - Mira Hall

Sticky summer dreams of snow--
of ice and frosty window-glow

This poem is the winner in my book, because it is the strongest one when it comes to stirring pure sensations. And it intellectually rewards rereading by offering both euphonic alliteration and Frostian rhyme.

# 2 - Rick D'Amico

Smile, though summer's sunset sands are chill,
crisp September evening tastes of Autumn's thrill.

This poem has nearly the same qualities as the winner, with less musical economy (wordier). A close second.

# 3 - Jim Babwe

I don't feel much safer leaving the ground
after I'm searched by thousands standing around.

This poem offers intriguing social commentary through dark sensory humor.

# 4 - Kristen Proffitt

Bed in a stuff-sack, home on my back
How I wish that my life were as simple as that.

This poem has both sensable metaphorical imagery and moving philosophical charm.

# 5 - Ragini Gill

When you look my way I must come near;
For your eyes tell a story I can't wait to hear.

This poem romantically employs synesthesia (mixing of the senses). It also just feels classic.

# 6 - Cassy Muronaka

Arnold took office and the state budget took a bath
Do you think that Gray Davis is having a good laugh?

This poem delivers sharp political commentary using personification and echo sense.

# 7 - Michael Holland

Drama, discovery, outrage and mystery
are what you find when you research your local history

This poem surprises the reader with layered newsiness and a clever rhyme working like frosting on the top.

# 8 - Anne Louise Bannon

Inventor Milo Farnsworth made TV possible--
if only he'd make Hellcats plausible.

This poem should win the humor award. Flat out intelligent and funny.

# 9 - Carrie Mitchell

It is an emergency, my hand is charred
By the time I write out the fifteenth card.

The slightest flaw in this strong poem is that the circumstance needs to be explained. It could have been delineated in the poem by stating fifteenth emergency card (but then you'd have two emergencies).

# 10 - Mike Burnside

Looking for evidence that the economy is growing,
As I watch my unemployment benefits slowing.

Economical (in every meaning of the word). Seemingly inherent alliteration and rhyme.

OK, hope you enjoyed my commentary. I'm currently running a Halloween Poetry Contest. You can check it out by going to http://1031poetry.blogspot.com

Feature!

The Whittier Poetry Group
presents

DON KINGFISHER CAMPBELL
featuring for
Open Mic Poetry Night

hosted by Gary Imperial
at Borders Books + Music
in La Habra

Friday, September 24, 2010
from 7:30 - 9:30pm

1310 S. Beach Blvd
La Habra, California 90631

FMI:
(562) 691-8969

or email:
freelancepoet82@yahoo.com

WANT A POET IN YOUR CLASSROOM?
Email: poetrypeople@charter.net

Small World Sound!

Paste this link into your browser to see the 9/16/2010 Sierra Madre Weekly newspaper article about Barry Schwam's recording of poets...like me! > http://sierramadreweekly.com/arts/small-world-sound-making-poets%e2%80%99-dreams-come-true/

Feature!

Sunday, September 12th · 6:30pm - 9:30pm

W O R D S P A C E
3191 Casitas Ave, #156, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(free parking at Casitas & Minneapolis)

Our monthly, 2nd Sunday OPEN WORDSPACE, hosted by Beth Cheng.

Bring your fall matters (I'm thinking that could mean a few things) and read your new material - fiction, poetry, CNF, music, and more. Last months episode rocked with amazing features, 10 opens and about 35 people in the wordspace.

THREE FEATURES - we know Bill Ratner will be there, and Pam Ward and Don Kingfisher Campbell!

6:30 Sign up
7:00 Start
Donate $3-5 dollars and keep the space alive and well!

BILL RATNER is one of America’s most popular voice-over performers, narrating movie trailers and science programs, the voice of Flint on G.I. Joe and Family Guy, a four-time Story Slam winner at The Moth in Los Angeles, and a founding actor of the Minnesota Ensemble Theater.

PAM WARD, Los Angeles native, first novel "Want Some, Get Some," Kensington, chronicles L.A. after the ’92 riots. Her second novel, "Bad Girls Burn Slow,” lifts the lid off the funeral business. A UCLA graduate and “California Arts Council Fellow,” Pam merged writing and graphics and produced “My Life, LA: The Los Angeles Legacy Project” documenting the impact of Angelinos through poster/stories. She also published, The Supergirls Handbook, the first anthology featuring Los Angeles Black female poets. Pam recently completed her third novel, “Stoves Don’t Cry.” www.pamwardwriter.com

DON KINGFISHER CAMPBELL, host of Saturday Afternoon Poetry in Pasadena, editor of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, recently published in Phantom Seed and Mentoring Poems, new chapbook: Memories Of Distance, two books: Amongst The Detritus and Campbell's Classics, and you can download his poetry album Eternal Epitaph at amazon.com. Want a poet in your classroom? Email: poetrypeople@charter.net