Signaling in the Library

Event organizer, Dana Vinke, prepares to introduce Traci Kato-Kiriyama

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Torrance library scheduled a poetry reading by Traci Kato-Kiriyama. She read from her recent poetry collection, Signaling. They were really good, precisely the type of poetry that I enjoy most. They all had a premise to explore, be it on coming to terms with the death of her father, commenting on an emotionless partner, or contemplating a future undead meeting with the children of the children that she doesn't have.

Stylistic concerns took a backseat to the points of narrative or commentary. But these were definitely poems, with engaging structure and incisive word choice. Her reading had a engaging cadence and rhythm. Most importantly, these poems have the feel of authenticity to them. They come from the deep emotions of real life experiences. There is an honest vulnerability and intimacy in these poems.

Additionally, Traci is an entertaining speaker and clearly has a love for poetry and artistic performance. She was very supportive of the audience's poetic potentials. She's involved with the Tuesday Night Cafe in Little Tokyo, which features open mic nights to help foster LA's poetry and performance scene.

Traci's such a friendly person that she even took a photo with me. ;-)

Traci Kato-Kiriyama and LJ pose for a photo

Anyways, I'm very happy that I was able to attend this event. I look forward to catching another of Traci's recitals sometime soon. Here are a few vids featuring a couple of the poems that she read at the Torrance recital:

Los Angeles

War

Here's a link to Traci Kato-Kiriyama's website.

And here's a link to her blog with a nice collection of some of her works.

Finally, here's a link to the Tuesday Night Project.

Enjoy!!!