poet

Think Again: Poets, Joseph Somoza and Tim Staley 4.17.23

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Today we’re treated to thought provoking readings of some works by two local poets. Our guests are Joseph Somoza, retired NMSU English Professor and current Organ Mountain High School English teacher, Tim Staley, reading selections of their own poetry. These writers reflect on their personal writing processes, and concepts of poetry in general, and more. The conversation touches on how language and poetry both shape and express the seen and the unseen aspects of who we are as individuals and as cultures. It’s a fun and thoughtful peek into the personal and professional realms of poetry. Their poetry books are available at some local bookstores and at online booksellers.

STREAM THE ARCHIVED EPISODE

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The Most Honest Syllable is Shhh now available on Amazon

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Tim Staley’s newest chapbook, The Most Honest Syllable is Shhh, is now available from Amazon.

This 32 page collection was originally released in June, 2017, by NightBallet Press out of Cleveland, Ohio.

Here is a poem from this chapbook:

 

My Life and Your Life

 

My life almost feels

like your life.

Your life might be

someplace nearby.

I turn over your life

like a ceiling fan:

on/off off/on

fast/ medium fast/

really fast.

In winter I turn

the other way.

Or is it your life

turning over mine?

TIM STALEY WINS DONA ANA ARTS COUNCIL AWARD

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• Poet, lyricist, rapper, teacher, mentor, and motivator Tim Staley will receive the Arts in Education Award, honoring “an individual whose leadership and pioneering spirit promote and shape visual and performing arts education initiatives.”

Staley, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, has a master of fine arts in poetry from New Mexico State University. He has taught at Oñate High School and as an adjunct instructor at NMSU. He started a KTAL radio open mic event. He sponsored the state “Poetry Out Loud” contest for eight years, and his students have gone on to national competition in Washington, D.C. He founded Grandma Moses Press in 1992 and currently serves as publisher. He is the author of “Lost On My Own Street” and “The Most Honest Syllable Is Shhh.”

 

Read the full Las Cruces Sun News article. 

Bio

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tim headshot

Tim Staley was born in the shadow of a strip mall in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1975.

He founded Grandma Moses Press in 1992.

He completed a Poetry MFA from New Mexico State University in 2004. He studied under Connie Voisine and the late Kathleene West.

His awards include The 2004 Peter Harris-Kunz Endowed Award in Poetry, and The 2012 Luminaire Award for Best in Poetry.

He was a finalist in the 2013 Imaginary Friend Press’ Full Length Book Contest.

He was a finalist in the 2014 42 Miles Press Poetry Award Full Length Book Contest.

He was a finalist in the 2015 Inlandia Institute’s Hillary Gravendyk Prize Full Length Book Contest.

His chapbook Mr. Staley Always Lets Us is in the Archives and Special Collections at New Mexico State University.

His hobbies include waiting, taquitos, and thinking. Actually, just taquitos.

He lives with his wife and daughter in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Journal Publications: The Beatlick News, Bluegrass Accolades, Border Senses,  Brickplight, burntdistrict, Cacti Fur, Canary, Chaffey Review, Chiron Review, Circumference, Coe Review, Crab Fat, The FUN Journal, The Ink Spot, Lummox Journal, Lunarosity, Malpais Review, Magnapoets, North of Center, Owl Eye Review, Poesies, the Rag, Red Fez, RHINO: The Poetry Forum, Sin Fronteras, Spilt Ink and Zen Baby.