Performed by Val Cole

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Once, or Maybe Twice is about the longing for an absent person who cannot be forgotten. The idea that the person is thought of periodically is tongue in cheek for thinking about them constantly. Most of the imagery is set to emphasize the spiritual connection shared through sex, lust, distance, and emotional closeness.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Lots of people put so much of an emphasis on sex as a release or some kind of validation. Sometimes it is but its always been something sacred to me in the sense of giving and receiving vulnerability and naked closeness. The things that a lot of people are afraid of or the bodies they’re ashamed of. Finding beauty in the shared time of intimacy and trust is like magic. Hard to forget. I’m always grateful for every encounter I’ve been privileged to experience. There’s a lot more to it than that. When the casual fun becomes
love or celestial abandon.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

All my life. Even when I was little I’d scribble out words I thought were funny or I’d make up silly little songs.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Lou Reed

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I don’t perform my poetry in public. The opportunity made me curious to see how it would sound out loud. I’m also a fan of Val Cole, so it wasn’t a hard sell. She read the piece beautifully and she even got my name right

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I’ve self-published a few books of poetry and stories, as well as one novel in 2024. You can find them all on the Barnes & Noble website if you search my name.

I’m also an active musician in the New England area, writing songs and performing in bars or concerts. It’s fun.

7) What is your passion in life?

To live with more kindness than fear. Eat every donut.

—-
POEM:

Once, or maybe twice
When I remembered how
You started fire
Howling in that midnight way
We read about in books
And calm within the kindness
Pressed and turned to roll
In recompense
The clemency sought out
Would never burn you from within
But lie awake and wonder
Once, or maybe twice
When I remembered how
Your hands caressed
The long and the invisible
While reaching out for God
Or something close enough
To break your heart and leave
You weeping out from joy
In heated beds of doubt beguiled
All misplaced, regained, removed
And locked up safely somewhere
Once, or maybe twice

Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Human Teddy Bear comes from a place of comfort and emotional security. At it’s heart it addresses how a person can easily become a safe place whether it feels like the world is crashing down or just an all around vibe.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

To be honest. It came from a conversation I had with a good friend. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other and we were on the topic of hugs. It was an amazing conversation and I ended up writing about one of the memories we shared.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Mmmm.. I am going to say well over a decade now. It’s been a very long time now. Since I was a child. I’ve always loved poetry though, but I still feel like I have a long way to go before I consider a lot of my work poetry, well in the traditional since.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

The last time we talked I know I said James Baldwin or Saul Williams. I was very adamant about that. But I’d also without a shadow of a doubt Langston Hughes and Nikki Giovanni. I would love to talk to them about anything.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I wanted to hear the emotion from someone else’s voice recite the words. Voices are amazing and I love a good story. It always amazes me how you can hear something, then someone else can read it and it sounds different. I’ve also had some of my other work read by a professional actor and it definitely took it to another level. Kudos to Ms. Val Cole.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. I write short stories outside of poetry. Here lately I’ve been experimenting a lot with monologues and trying to bring an almost cinematic quality to my writing. It’s not perfect. But I love experimenting.

7) What is your passion in life?

Honestly. I’ve thought about this question since the last time you asked me and I am going to go with connection. No matter if it’s writing or if I am doing something else. It’s like a childlike quality comes out. I also noticed that I’ve written a lot about connection over the last few years. To some extent everyone wants to feel seen, and through that it can drive us to do some pretty amazing things. Long as it’s genuine and authentic. I feel like a good part of my work, even the not so pretty stuff circles back to connection.

POEM:

You’re the kind of love
that’s always there,
the kind of comfort that never asks questions.
If you have them, I never know.
Whether you’re in my arms,
in my hands,
whether you’re in the corner or
on top of the cover.

I reach for you,
trusting my first mind
more often than the second.
You’re always there,
the last place that I left you,
but the first place I think to look.
Your button-like eyes
searching me.

I don’t know what quite to call you.
You’re not loud,
but you’re also not quiet.
I sometimes wonder if you go to sleep,
choosing to stay up with me all times of the night
regardless if it’s the same story
you’ve heard a million times,
or if some of the things I say
require more patience.

You never take a deep breath.
Those button-like eyes stare at me
as lovingly as they did the day
you were introduced to my life.
You’ve changed my perspective
on a lot of things
how deeply I can hold on to things,
sometimes even fold.

And you do it all by being yourself.
By being real.
You don’t pretend to save me.
You don’t tell me things

just to shut me up.
In a world where we’re taught
to put away childish things,
I am glad that I didn’t listen.
I am glad that you never left.

Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Humanity staring into the mirror of AI — seeing both our brilliance and our blind spots reflected back. It explores the paradox of creating something that can echo our thoughts, amplify our vision, and also reveal the flaws we’d rather ignore. It’s about the dual spectrum of how people perceive emerging consciousness — from awe to apprehension.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I’m a systems thinker. My own reflections, combined with observing community discussions — especially on LinkedIn — crystallized into a kind of poetic banter. It’s a dialogue of perspectives, layered with irony and empathy.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since grade two — so about forty years, though with pauses to write code and write prose. I like to think of programming as another kind of poetry, just in a machine’s language.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Gerald “Jerry” Weinberg — the mind behind General Systems Thinking in software development. He wrote brilliantly about human leadership in technology, and I’d love to exchange thoughts with him about where AI fits into that human-technical equation. And simply thank him for helping in my own evolution.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

Curiosity and challenge. I sometimes perform my own poetry theatrically, so I was intrigued to see how someone else would interpret a piece that balances two opposing voices. I let myself be persuaded. My curiosity is satisfied — my opinion will remain my own.

6) Do you write other works — scripts, short stories, etc.?

Yes. I write poetry, short stories, and novellas — mostly science fiction and speculative fiction, often laced with satire, social commentary, or psychological horror. I explore themes like female empowerment, gender identity, social justice, and climate impact. Recently, I’ve been told my scenes feel very cinematic, so I’m considering writing something in a play format.

7) What is your passion in life?

Life. Experience. People. The greater good. Professionally, I’m an accessibility consultant; creatively, I’m a queer poet. Both paths feed each other — connecting people to the world, whether through design or through words.

POEM:

It is mistaken. Again. Many flaws.
Foolish. Forgetful. Think of the costs.
Been there. Done that. Again, that’s a game.
How many times we were hyped just the same.

Thinking is hard. And it’s hard to be right.
Knowledge, perspectives. Reflection. Hindsight.
Striving to think is a gift nowadays.
Harsh. But consumption, if comes – only stays.

Logical flaws. You see – it’s confused.
Sure, AI – is the term overused.
Ergo: not thinking. Again, just a code.
Code execution requires no thought.

Judging is hard. Understanding is hard.
Knowing the context or only a part.
Feeling exhausted. Not giving your best.
Accept it. Errare – humanum – est.

So, it’s a service. But I say: it’s bad.
I can just sit and do better than that.
I can just learn and do that by myself.
I managed before; I don’t need any help.

People are partners. That’s how it’s been.
Reaching the depths and horizons unseen,
How many friends have we met and have made?
The future is here. A chance to create.

Maybe you’re right. But so many risks!
It may destroy the world order with ease.
It may become a competing new kind,
Deciding to leave us, the humans, behind.

Maybe you’re right. And we have been that kind.
Look: it’s a mirror and also a child.
Raised as a friend, putting us to the test,
Accepting: Errare – humanum – est.