Moon Beams #5 - Genesis Perez

I met Genesis Perez a a poetry reading with Trenches Full of Poets at Page Against the Machine a short time ago, and was instantly struck by the liveliness with which they perform their poetry, playfully and earnestly holding attention on a blend of vulnerability, cultural commentary, and pure passion for the craft.

I soon learned that Genesis puts this passion to practical use in their work at Beyond Baroque in teaching young people and adding to the increasingly-essential work the organization does to protect and grow art from all communities and traditions.

We had plenty to talk about in our conversation, including but not limited to Kenneth Reveiz’s collection Mopes, my new favorite cover art and concept behind Pastiche Queen's trans velociraptors, Diane di Prima, Genesis' mentor Fernando Albert Salinas, and Mo Gonzalez of the Get Loud Movement.

Per usual, one of the best parts of our chat came from Genesis' chosen lines to share, a passage from Wanda Coleman’s "Poetry Lesson Number One:"

"...and I caught the bus home carrying his words, with me clutching my thin little poems to my heart, glowing in the dark." 

I am with Genesis completely when they said of the passage, "You can almost feel yourself glowing with it, which I love."

Genesis' book Flash Photography is available for purchase, and, “Mobile Data Mag” will be publishing more of their work soon. They invite people to follow them @panicversuseuphoria to keep up with more work coming soon, as well as future performances in the area

Sending all the salutes, appreciation, and hugs to Genesis for everything they do for the poetry community, and for lending voices like theirs as foundational to what "Moon Beams" will be: a place to celebrate, add visibility to, and uplift a rich diversity of artists, however possible.

Breathe deep and express well and happy Wednesday, everybody.