Miriam Stanley

"These poems enter (sometimes gently, sometimes brutally), the quiet sanctuary of fiction we live in daily but choose to ignore. Miriam's keen observation of the fictions takes us on a journey to understanding the complexities of self and day-to-day survival in this irrational world created by the human mind." - EJ Antonio "Driving the Celexa offers an empathic mix of poems with the overarching theme of surviving with one's sanity intact. Miriam Stanley is at her best when she's closely observing the daily routines of her fellow New Yorkers. Her work gives us a glimpse of the future while understanding one can't escape the baleful grip of history: Lessons well worth remembering in these perilous times. Read these poems with an open heart, you will be rewarded." - Danny Shot "Miriam Stanley's work evokes truth. We live in a society where the basic fundamentals is to tell the truth. If you are interested in the truth read this work. Miriam is rhythmic and lyrical but not overbearing." - Robert Gibbons

This anthology is a project celebrating The Alternative New Year's Day Spoken Word / Performance Extravaganza - the 2014 event marking the 20th Anniversary of this uniquely New York tradition. The collection features the diverse work of many of the participants in what is recognizably a very verbose affair; from the seasoned wordsmith, to the literarily licentious, to the cerebrally provocative. A.N.Y.D.S.W.P.E. takes place every year in New York City's historic East Village. Hundreds of people funnel into the venue during an eight hour marathon reading on January 1st. To make the 20th anniversary extra-special, this year it was held at the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Caf . Why does such an event exist? Well, if you are going to write poetry, you might as well read it aloud. And if you are going to read it aloud, people might as well come and listen. And if people are going to come and listen, you might as well make a party of it. And if you are going to make a party of it, it might as well be one of the biggest parties of the year, and if it's going to be one of the biggest parties of the year, you might as well invite some of the best artists, writers, and performers to come and entertain the masses. You can also get drunk and fall in love while you're at it. In the event that you cannot make the party, we've put together this convenient little volume so you can sample the wonder, wisdom, brilliance, and madness without having to go outside. And if you did come to the party, well this book was a sure-fire way to take a poet home with you at the end of the night. No need to thank us. Your happiness is the only reward we require. ...That and the price for the copy. Enjoy.