blackgirl on mars: notes on a life in copenhagen (or how my alienation brings me closer to people).

Today I saw someone who looked just like Brook Stephenson (February 21st, 1974- August 29, 2015) at the busiest train station in Copenhagen, Nørreport Station. He looked so much like Brook, I considered asking him if I could take a picture with him. I decided not to - but seeing this doppelgänger reminded me how much I missed this friend, supporter and literary peer. I found some pictures of Brook today - from when I returned to the States, just to be at his Rhode Island Writer's Colony - an act that fortified me in ways I am still unpacking.

my evening with Marie D. Brown at Cave Canum to see Terrance Hayes  is definitely one of my recent highlights.  I settled in into my Norwegian flight from JFK, New York to Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the perfect flight: 9:30pm and arriving the following day, at 11:30 am. Kai had agreed to meet me at the airport and I was ready to get home and take care of business.  I managed to get all my things in my suitcase, and I risked taking a beautiful vintage, semi-acoustics guitar that Marie had bequeathed me. I crossed my fingers and hoped that I would be allowed on the flight with it as carry on luggage. I know it was a risk, but I really wanted to have it with me, feeling that it's presence would help with my inspiration for my show. It's a Vox Challenger, cherry sunburst in color. When I saw it for the first time, I thought it would be a great guitar to incorporate into my show. I've been playing with the guitar a few years now; with the intention of using it in so...

allison newsome's lion @ her studio The past two weeks have offered a plethora of experiences and the opportunity to meet up and connect with some fantastic folks. All I could say for the past couple of weeks was, "Rhode Island? Who'd a-thunk it?"Aside from having time and an incredible town and space to write in, there were the people - from Brook Stephenson co-founder of The Rhode Island Writers Colony, his brother John (the other founder) who is like a walking Encyclopedia with the soul of a pirate, his partner Marie whose hospitality is much appreciated, to Jason Reynolds writer extraordinaire, Malundo Jones and Charles Vincent Burwell of the Clever Agency.  The host of characters include many citizens of Warren, Rhode Island who went out of their way to make us feel welcome. There was Angelo who frequented the local coffee shop everyday, to staff of the Coffee Depot. There was also the day Brook and I went over to Alisson Newsome's studio, here are so...