Join us on episode 75 of The Poets for a conversation between friends. Talented poets and lovely humans all, Ezra Bram, Faith Diaz, and Racine Frank return to the show to discuss nature, community, art in capitalism, inner knowing, and more.

Racine Frank began writing poetry in December 2019 during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia. She started by writing haikus and then branched into free verse poetry incorporating rhyming schemes. From an early age, she traveled to and lived in multiple countries with Ethiopia being a time of tremendous growth and transformation. Her writing surrounds the power of love – not only for others, but for oneself. With love being the core of her creative writing, Racine explores other aspects of life that aid in the self-discovery and evolution of individuals. She recently shared with the world her first ever self-published poetry chapbook titled Conversations with Self. She is enthusiastic about creativity, whether that be in the form of dancing, singing, writing, or inspiring others to live life to the fullest.

Follow the link to purchase Racine’s book, Conversations with Self.

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Faith Diaz; event host, performer, story teller & writer, originally born in Bronx, NY, has spent most of her life moving from place to place. Her hope is to continue sharing the stories that matter, from people who do even more so. When she is not petting her Corgi, Sunny, she can be found lying in the sunlight, attempting the continued discovery of self, or just eating Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. 

Find Faith on IG @withinlovebloomed2

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Hello dear person! My name is Ezra. I’m an old soul born in Bailey, Colorado where I grew up with one older brother and a single mom. 

I was first introduced to poetry through my mother’s brother, Andrew Medan Karp. After Andrew took his own life in 1977, my grandmother consolidated his journals of writing into a poetry book entitled Winds of Silent Mystery. I read it cover to cover many times when I began entering my own escapade of depression & anxiety. I still find comfort & understanding in Andrew’s words, even though I’ve never met him.

Up until the pandemic, I didn’t realize how deeply generational trauma had impacted my life. When I was forced into solitude, I began confronting the deep shame and confusion I felt about my anxiety and depression. I processed much of my pain through daily walks with my film camera and the guidance of Andrew’s writing. This season morphed into my book, entitled Walking from Home, that combines my photos and Andrew’s poetry. This time also inspired the creation of what I call “Therapeutic Portraits” where I aim to provide a safe contemplative space for people to see more of themselves with grace, dignity, and love. You can read more about both these projects on my website. 

My interest in mental health has now lead me to graduate school where I am currently studying to become a licensed clinical counselor. I am passionate about destigmatizing conversations around mental health, suicide, and depression, because no one deserves to suffer alone. 

Funneling my experiences into words has helped me to process how paralyzing pain can be and how miraculously love can heal. My hope is that my photography and my writing can offer some comfort as you navigate your own journey of life, from pain to wonder. Remember dear person, you are not alone and you are loved, always and again. 

Mad love, 

Ezra  

Find more about Ezra and his work at his website, whathappenedezra.com and also on IG @what_happened_ezra

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Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email [email protected]