Serious Longing: A Review of Poet Jessica M. Wilson

I’ve been seriously longing to see poet, Jessica Wilson, do a feature reading from her first collection of poetry, Serious Longing, published by Éditions du Cygne (Swan World Press) in 2015.  There’s something about this lady—who claims she’s third generation Beatnik—something about her vivid poetry, her rich voice, her engaging performances.

Following Jessica for a while now, catching a poem or two here and there at Los Angeles open mics, I’m trying to figure out just why she captivates me.  I’ve read her book, Serious Longing.  The 36 poems range from the ekphrastic to the erotic, journey through natural and surreal worlds, and breathe feminine and cultural themes.  

I like some of her poetry, love much of it. But I have this feeling when she recites–whether I am wowed by the poem, or just observant–there’s something…like the wind is her best friend, words their secret language, and she’s inviting me to play.

Jessica is on the LA circuit with her Serious Longing Book Tour. So on a fresh Saturday afternoon, I head down to Book Show in Highland Park where she’s featuring.  The independent bookstore’s sideshow decor is an apt backdrop to the wildly authentic poet, an off one shoulder leopard print blouse featuring a quill permanently tattooed above her heart.

She begins with a shaker and her siren song, “Navajo Sand.”  Her voice is a beautiful blend of sweet and husky. I’ve heard the piece more than once before, but I never tire of it.  One of my favorite lines:  I created sad.

The mood is set, and she continues with “The Marriage of Day and Night,” a creation story about Sam who had two wives, Nocturna and Dia.  The narrative is filled with elegant phrases that explain why day and night cannot be in the same place at the same time, but are forever bonded as sisters in the sky.

A self-acclaimed fan of the American rock band, The Doors, Jessica breaks into “Ode to Jim Morrison,” the opening poem of Serious Longing.  It reads like a love poem. 

…We all can be yours;
concubines of the wayward spirit,
fanatic jealousy will release us into your arms.

Despite an obvious pride in her indigenous heritage (Jessica is Navajo Indian), she reads the poem “Origins,” which explores our preoccupation with skin and provokes thoughtful questions.

It begins with:
Why are we concerned with origins
when there is nothing we can do about where we come
from
because we already exist?

And ends with:
Excrete to eternity
a certainty more than death,
break for life, the first breath
the infant holds, recycled dust
from a fallen star

Jessica’s voice, which ranges from honeyed to hilarious as she tells stories and recites poetry, captivates the audience in “Healing Harmonies,” a surreal exploration of music.

…Roll, roll, roll the embryo
between calloused fingertips,
fades into vibrating strings
that echo beyond vision;
the purity of transparency.

She introduces “Rabid Hole” as an example of erotica, but marries it to Cormac McCarthy’s apocalyptic novel, The Road.

Wandering girls
frolic limitless in empty streets.

“Being Human” is delivered memorized, a powerful commentary on the value of humanity.

…since when did paper interject itself into veins?
do needles blend it into the stream
of blood
plasma
capillaries
dust?

there is no green in my blood.
i am not rich.
i am not paper.
i’m human.

Poet, Carmen Vega, and Jessica

Jessica isn’t just a vibrant poet, she’s a great host and performer, who founded the Los Angeles Poet Society in 2009.  She honors and hosts numerous poets with a string of literary events and open mics such as: SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Noches de Canto y Poesia, LAPS presents on Full Spectrum.  In the past she’s also supported the following events:  Writers’ Row: The DTLA Artwalk’s Showcase of the Written Art, SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Salon @ NoHo, and Gallery 19. She teaches poetry with California Poets in the Schools, the oldest non-profit dedicated to the empowerment of our youth in CA.

Her performance is interspersed with stories about writing poetry, a rendition of a cousin’s poem, and invitations for other poets to come to the mic.  A consummate advocate of LA poets, she also mentions the new anthology, Coiled Serpent: Poets Arising from the Cultural Quakes and Shifts of Los Angeles, in which her poem “Being Human” is featured.  (I’ve also got 2 poems in this anthology.)

I’m not exactly sure why I want to codify Jessica.  Is it her Beat Poet style?  Her elegance and sensuality?  That voice that just sings like a cool wind on the desert trail of life? 

I appreciate the unapologetic wisdom she displays in “The Children.”

We are all the sons and daughters of indigenous
Oh, you didn’t know?

I marvel at the perfection of a newly penned poem she shared about dancing amid a hurricane of books.  Her love of literacy overflows her journal, drawing us all into the dance.

Jessica is an ancient soul I want to photograph and capture in kinship.  Her poem, “Speech Therapy,” has an echo in my own heart.

I want to help;
become a bridge to each side,
tell tales of:
One Land
One People.

BookShow owner, Jen Hitchcock, Jessica, and Carmen Vega 

The performance wraps up, and the small audience drifts like feathers through Book Show.  We talk in pairs, peruse Jessica’s table of poetry, explore the eclectic shelves of Book Show—old collectible books, graphic novels, and a wall of Los Angeles authors make up some of its treasures—take some photos, and generally wander, energized by poetry.

Jessica is a literary catalyst, and I realize what I’ve been seriously longing for:  Communion; where writing is the air we breathe, poetry the food we eat, and words our very bones.

Jessica and I

You can learn more about Jessica, follow her Serious Longing Book Tour, and connect to her at:  jessicamwilson.com

BookShow is a novel independent bookstore where owner, Jen Hitchcock, shares her eclectic book collection, features numerous LA authors, and offers classes and workshops on a variety of topics to include magic and jewelry making.

Learn more about Coiled Serpent by Tia Chucha’s Press:  KCET Coiled Serpent Article.  

See Jessica host and read at the April 30th Book Launch Party for Coiled Serpent.

Doren Damico is a lyricist and poet with a passion for the art of being human.  For more poems and poetic commentary check out her blog archive, Poetry, at: dorendamico.com