Dee Allen: Discovery, Defiance, and the Poetics of Modern Reality

In this conversation, poet Dee Allen brings a powerful blend of honesty, presence, and emotional depth to the mic, exploring how poetry becomes a space for healing, clarity, and self‑expression. His voice carries both strength and vulnerability, inviting listeners into the lived experiences and inner truths that shape his work across various communities. Bio: African-Italian performance poet based in Oakland, California. Active on creative writing & Spoken Word since the early 1990s. Author of 9 books--Boneyard, Unwritten Law, Stormwater, Skeletal Black [all from POOR Press], Elohi Unitsi [Conviction 2 Change Publishing], Rusty Gallows: Passages Against Hate [Vagabond Books], Plans [originally Nomadic Press, now re-issued from Black Lawrence Press], Crimson Stain [ EYEPUBLISHEWE] and his newest, Discovery [ Southern Arizona Press] -- and 73 anthology appearances under his figurative belt so far. Episode Summary: As the episode unfolds, Dee's definition of poetry is explored, as well as his views on the insane nature of modern reality, and the political and environmental issues that motivate his work. Throughout the episode Dee shares personal anecdotes, including his first live performance experience, and reads poems from his latest book, 'Discovery.' The conversation also touches on his influences, such as Langston Hughes, Robert Hayden and Sonia Sanchez. It also examines his thoughts on the poet's role in society, the editing process, and the ways in which his remarkably authentic, powerful and distinctive work contributes to the development of empathy and understanding between groups of different sociocultural and ethnic origins. Book: Discovery https:/www.amazon.com/dp/1960038540Keywords: African‑Italian poetOakland spoken wordDiscovery bookpolitical poetryenvironmental poetrycontemporary poetryspoken word since the 1990sLangston Hughes influenceRobert Hayden influenceSonia Sanchez influencepoetry and empathysociocultural understandingPoetry Beyond BordersNational Poetry MonthQuintessential Poetry Podcast