Born in Hoboken, N.J. in the fall of 1980, after my parents separated, my mother took my sister and I across the country. We have lived in New York City (all the boroughs except Staten Island), Philadelphia, PA, Tampa, FL, Seattle, WA, and Minneapolis, MN. I grew up on public assistance up until I entered college. I have always been interested in writing, though I could not find a proper outlet nor any support during my youth. During my senior year at the University at Buffalo, I joined the group name and published some of my early work along with other group members (http://www.looktouch.com/poetry/). My writing had suffered a great deal of stagnance until I joined the Seoul Writiers' Workshop, located in South Korea. At the moment, the next publication is in the process of being constructed and I hope to be included in the book.

There is so much to say about me and so much I keep to myself and share with my closest and dearest friends. I can say honestly that I believe in the great strength and power of love, understanding, and forgiveness. There are those who I would give my life for in a heartbeat. There are those who love me and those I love eternally. I am a man with many titles, designations, feelings, fears, and dreams. I listen to the music of Leonard Cohen and revel. I watch Wong Kar-Wai films and envision my romantic side. I read children's books and wish to share them with those they are meant for. I look at my hands (feet) and wonder about all the activities they have undergone so far this short life.

I suppose if there were things that could give anyone an idea of what kind of person I am, look up the following:

Watch - Chungking Express and In The Mood For Love by Wong Kar-Wai ("If my memory of her has an expiration date, let it be 10,000 years..."). I'm a hopeless romantic, suppose it's my main weakness.

Listen - Most any song by Leonard Cohen, but especially: "Hallelujah" and "Lover, Lover, Lover." The Smiths' "I Know It's Over." I have quite the long eclectic list of songs depending on my mood. Any song by Utada Hikaru and most by Royksopp keep me upbeat.

Look - The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Read - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Joyas Voladoras by Brian Doyle. Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih. Most anything by Pedro Pietri. Spiks by Pedro Juan Soto. The list goes on and continues to grow, but the basics are here.

Smell - A rose. A baby's freshly bathed skin. Your lover's neck. Roasted coffee beans.

Touch - Your child's smiling face. Your lover's head as they sleep.

Taste - Strong black coffee or chai tea. Indian and Thai food.

Of course, as time passes things on this list would change or be added upon. One great thing about people is we evolve if given the chance.

I believe in the power of visions. Though it may seem a fad, the concept of creating a vision board appealed to me. I have one with photos of my dearest loved ones, my wishes for my future, my goals, my dreams, and words of inspiration to help me get through the tough times and the battles I am to face in life. I have recently been considering the power of forgiveness. I was told by a beloved one about its power and I feel lately I must forgive in order to move on. I think everyone should consider it, seek it, try to understand it, and wish it.

Aside from the basics, perhaps you, reader, can understand part of me as you read my poems, my memories (memoirs), and short stories. No matter what you believe in, we humans are all connected, we share a vast universe, and we all churn inside.

Here is my current resume for any interested in knowing my work experience: Resume

Joel - June 29, 2009