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books
Roy Anthony Shabla is an esteemed poet and writer with credits in both fiction and non-fiction on various subjects. His work is known for its humanity and its startling epiphanies on the reality of human nature, often with a humorous bent.
He is the author of several books, most notably, eating God and (PEACE) WORDS, each of which chronicles the progress of a spiritual person in the physical world. His newest book, libretti lumi, is a cycle of poems exploring the nature of love and communication.
Excerpts from eating God and libretti lumi have been used in several short art films, one of which is the poetic masterpiece, body of water. See roytube.com.
Roy Anthony Shabla is a longtime publisher and editor, book designer, and bookmaker specializing in small, limited edition, letterpress broadsides and chapbooks.
A performance of casa la reina received this review:
Roy Anthony Shabla read from his new chapbook, casa la reina. Shabla doles out spectral imagery in minimalist lines. His poetry is high impact and evokes a landscape where the supernatural and divine drift between what initially seems to be the ephemera of daily life.
Passages like "even a few lines/ can keep the/ wolf from the whore" are followed by "maybe a shadow/ passes but/ not the moon/ not the stars…" to craft a dreamlike mood that was perfect as the center of the reading. Shabla has an excellent reading voice and his poetry completely mesmerized an audience that was otherwise large and joyously rowdy.
More information on casa la reina.
Roy Anthony Shabla and John Brantingham co-curate a monthly poetry series in Downey, California. Follow Hair Club for Poets / Reading with Scissors on Facebook.
Spoken word / language poetry / sound poetry ~ with music. Listen for free or download.
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conversations
This chapbook of minimalist poetry shines a spotlight on the reality of modern interpersonal communication. A delicacy and subtlety unknown to Richard Brautigan permeates this work; a clean starkness visited only by Mishima; a clarity possessed only by the great haiku poets ~ this is conversations.
The first review: In his latest literary effort, conversations, Roy Anthony Shabla becomes the proverbial "fly on the wall". From this vantage point, he observes and light-heartedly describes the awkward social interactions inherent in the potential and ongoing relationships of others as well as his own. His inimitable poetic banter is both entertaining and biting and can even be, at times, poignant. A highly readable chapbook, conversations is a welcome addition to Shabla's growing ouvre.
$9.99 purchase book from publisher |
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i write therefore i am
The lovechild of Dr Seuss and Philip Glass is a Zen master named, i write therefore i am. Or, i am not. This chapbook is a hall of mirrors which reflects more reality than fantastic or fractured distortion. It is a writer’s handbook on why we write; two poems about the soul of poetry. It is music and psychoanalysis and a string of epiphanies knotted like a cat’s cradle. Hypnotic, dizzying… the book is a "must read" for any writer and any reader who considers literature an essential part of life.
blog about language poetry
$9.99 purchase book from publisher |
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libretti lumi
Lyrical and deeply resonant, this book of post-modernist poetry explores the dynamics of inter-personal relationships and communication. Built on classical forms, the work draws a direct line from the modern avant garde back through colonial and medieval literature to ancient Rome and Greece. In many ways, it is a summation of the long tradition of literature in the Western world.
But don’t let that intimidate you. libretti lumi is a simple and personal account of the effects of love. You will find yourself and your relationships in this book ~the title implies the epiphany you will have when reading it.
Non-narrative in format, libretti lumi is the cycles of poetry for two operas. Actually, it is one cantata (a pre-cursor form to opera) and one opera. It is also thoroughly modern and accessible. |
Toying with the game between science and spirituality, libretti lumi sheds light on the inner garden from which both science and spirituality spring. It is a book of emotions rationally explored.
The poetry itself is clean and spare, the style is straightforward. While referencing classical forms, there are no overt classical allusions in the work ~you do not need a PhD in literature to read this book. You just need a heart and soul.
review of libretti lumi
reading of libretti lumi
$11.99 purchase book from publisher
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(PEACE) WORDS
This is the most autobiographical book I have written thus far. It is a "portrait of the artist as a young vandal" complete with confessions of illegal international activities. It is also a moving story of finding one's artistic self in the world despite current trends and styles. The backdrop of the narrative is the peace, human rights, and ecology movements and it is a beautiful primer on the work of peace, protest, and public art. It is even more important and powerful during this time of lingering war.
$14.99 purchase book from publisher |
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eating God
This is the updated and expanded version of the highly acclaimed book of ecstatic poetry, eating God. It is a transcendent cycle of poems documenting the spiritual awakening of a simple man in the modern world. It will delight and refresh you with its reality and compassion. This is a book you will read and read again. And share with others. "If poets could be superstars, at least in this time and country, Roy Anthony Shabla would be the man to watch!" ~Spirit of the Valley
review of eating God
$14.99 purchase book from publisher |
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Feng Shui Every Day
This is a feng shui book anyone can use. Simple, clear ideas about architecture that will change your life. Includes secret information most masters will not reveal. Do not buy or remodel a house without it. This book is your most important purchase during difficult economic times. Highly praised by feng shui experts.
$12.99 purchase book from publisher |
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Child Harold at the Zoo
This is the coming-of-age story of a regular boy in an irregular world, the story of a divine boy in a mundane world. It is perfect reading for anyone trying to find a relationship with his own family or anyone trying to find a place for himself in society. Very quirky and funny, very real and enchanting. Gives you hope about being in this crazy world.
$9.99 purchase book from publisher |
foreign language books
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