I’m proud to share publication news for this tough little piece, a prose poem for the girl next door who was not ok. "I Remember It Was Called an Ash, the Baby Tree That Was" is part of a gorgeous collection featuring dozens of poets, ranging from exciting new voices to multiple major prize winners, prestigious grant and fellowship recipients, Poet Laureates, and well-known names. Bite More, Smash More: Red Ogre Review's 2024-2025 Anthology is the fourth book in the series from Red Ogre Review. It was released on November 30 and is available now on Amazon.

I am proud to share that my poem, "Wanderstar," is forthcoming in the 40 West Arts District anthology Progress, not Perfection. "Wanderstar" honors Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson, who died of cancer last summer. The anthology includes a special subsection of poetry dedicated to Gibson, each one written after a different poem of theirs. "Wanderstar" is written after Andrea Gibson's Orbit. I learned about the unique poetry writing prompt and opportunity in a workshop facilitated by 40 West Arts District Poet Laureate Marissa Forbes at the Castle Rock Writers' Conference…

The bravest poems are magic. When spoken aloud, they make our armor disappear in thin air. They open our eyes and hearts. Then the next heart finds a voice, and the next. Queer Lit Night, at the PPSC Learning Commons last month, was that kind of magical poetry reading. The evening included poetry from visiting authors Ashley Cornelius and Nico Wilkinson, faculty members Kenny Idleman and me, and students and community members who shared on the queer open mic. It was an experience of beauty, art, and community I'll never forget.

I'm happy to share that Queer Lit Night has been rescheduled for Wed, Nov 12 from 5-7 pm at the Pikes Peak State College Downtown Learning Commons, 100 W. Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs. The evening will feature readings and performances from two amazing queer writers, Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and Nico Wilkinson. I'm the host/organizer/MC, and I'll read my work as well. Next, we’ll open up the mic to all LGBTQIA+ voices from PPSC and the larger Colorado Springs community (3-5 min. each- sign up at 4:45 pm). Book signings & sales to follow- meet the authors and learn about student clubs.

Queer Lit Night is coming on Thursday, Sept 25, from 5:00-7:30 pm, at the Black Box Theater at Studio West, 22 N. Sierra Madre St., Colorado Springs, 80903 (Pikes Peak State College Downtown campus). Save the date and spread the word! On this fantabulous night, the PPSC English Department is proud to present three award-winning queer writers: Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius, national slam poetry champion Nico Wilkinson, and novelist Raki Kopernik, whose work has been nominated for the Pen Faulkner Award in Fiction, the Minnesota Book Award, and the Pushcart Prize.

I'm so proud to share that my prose poem, "The Master," from Only Flying, has been published in Osho News! This piece is about the most beautiful dream I ever had, a dream whose essence lingered over my waking life for weeks, a fragrance of roses drifting in from the windows of the beyond. Read it here: "The Master"

I reveled in much-needed inspiration and community at the Castle Rock Writers’ Conference on Saturday! I went with  M.R. Hyde, Maddie Van Batum, and Lisa Macedo from my amazing writers' group, the Nearby Universe. Poetry track presenters included brice maiurro (ecopoetics) and Poet Laureate Marissa Forbes (historical poetry), who were both fantastic. The icing on the cake was a book swap: Only Flying and Pen and Pulse for Marissa’s exquisite, eye-opening collections, Surviving Peter Pan and Brief and Bleeding Margins. Score! I also walked out with two new poems in my pocket, and my fingers crossed for getting a cool indie bookstore to carry…

"Collarbone Jones," clay, Brook Bhagat "Cracking Collarbone Jones," previously published in the Unsolicited Press anthology Pen and Pulse: Essays on Writing, Craft, and the Writer’s Journey, is the true story of why I went to India almost 25 years ago. It's the story of falling in love with a dream, and a piece of clay, and a man. It's the story of how art winds through us, and through life, an echo of the heart at times. Other times, a guide. I am so grateful to share that this intimate creative nonfiction piece is featured this month in…

With Ullas at my sanyas celebration, Nainital, 2002 I'm thrilled to share that "Ghazal for Osho" has been published in Osho News. Some poems are tough; this love poem for Osho nearly wrote itself. It's such a joy to see it find a home where my fellow sanyasins will find it. Ghazal for Osho

A poem by Anand Mayuri (Brook Bhagat)

For the lover of Only Flying who wishes they could wear my beautiful book after reading it, I'm stoked to share that the fabulous Unsolicited Press has created an author store just for me! T-shirts, a tank, a holographic sticker and a few NSFW shirts too (I'm gonna have to start doing "Jump Magic Pants" at readings again). Thank you Unsolicited Press! Everybody, check out these and lots of other Only Flying swag HERE.

A lovely time was had by all at the literary reading and grand opening of the Pikes Peak State College Authors Collection, a special collection in the college library of books by PPSC students, staff, and faculty. I was honored to read alongside Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre and PPSC authors Michelle Harris, M.R. Hyde, and Jason Dias. Special thanks to artist Connor Dias and librarian Larissa Powers, who made this unique collection and memorable event possible!

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The first phoenix is the PPSC Authors Collection, a sparkly brainchild that came to me seven years ago in the stellar nursery of the Nearby Universe, the employee writers’ group I had just cr…

The first phoenix is the PPSC Authors Collection, a sparkly brainchild that came to me seven years ago in the stellar nursery of the Nearby Universe, the employee writers' group I had just created at Pikes Peak State College. The collection would feature not only faculty writers, like other universities, but also staff, making it uniquely inclusive, like our group. We could even include student authors in the collection. We'd brainstorm famous writers from PPSC's past, like Ron Stallworth, the author of Black Klansman. It would offer our students a different way to connect with each other and their instructors--nothing makes psychology class more engaging than reading…

I began this 100-word prose poem on a sticky note. I revised it, used it in a Nearby Universe email invitation, and revised it again before sending it out. Then I practiced it to read at the Spring…

I began this 100-word prose poem on a sticky note. I revised it, used it in a Nearby Universe email invitation, and revised it again before sending it out. Then I practiced it to read at the Spring Reading, planning a palm-to-podium for the boom boom boom. Yesterday, A Story in 100 Words got back to me with a yes. Check it out here.

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Creation and empathy are intertwined, two branches on the same tree. Poets and artists have always been at the forefront of movements for justice and social change. Now more than ever, creatives are speaking up and speaking out. As the organizer and MC of the Pikes Peak State College Spring Student/Faculty/Nearby Universe Reading and Visiting Writers' Series Event, I am honored to amplify their voices. The Creative Writing Program and Latino Alliance are thrilled to welcome Colorado Poet Laureate Emeritus Bobby LeFebre on Thursday, March 20, at the Downtown Campus’s 

YouTube video by Unsolicited Press