The Poets

You can see this episode on video here.

Mahogany Imani, a slightly inappropriate slam poet for the past decade plus, is so excited that you’ve taken the time to read/listen to their work. What can be described as a “celebratory self-expose,” Imani’s poetry is a polished look into raw emotion and circumstances that will make you laugh, touch your spirit, and hopefully allow you to tap into empowerment you never knew was bubbling under the surface. Based out of Denver, CO, outside of poetry, Mahogany is also passionate about reaching their higher education goals, being the most present friend and partner they can be, and finding the best Cuban food in town (a noble pursuit). You can find Imani’s work on their Substack @manicprotagonist, or check out their poem, “Down the River,” in the Retrograde Review.

The Poets is now available on VIDEO. Check today's episode on the Coven Recording and Sound channel. Hope you enjoy.

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Sam Amabile returns to The Poets to discuss and promote Mercury Nights, his most recent EP. Get the album HERE.

Mercury Nights is a callback to the lost Friday nights which once took place at 2199 California Street. For decades, Friday night open mics saw poets from all walks take the stage in the Jungle Room to speak their art to a room of waiting friends and strangers. All the while next door in the Rose Room, Sam Amabile laid a soundtrack for the evening. Once a consistent Friday night presence on the piano in the back corner, Sam Amabile now gives us Mercury Nights, a showcase of his unique playing style and talent.

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I met Marilyn back in 2016. I was playing with the David Booker band upstairs in the ballroom at the Mercury for swing night. We were playing Chuck Berry and Big Joe Turner, which probably annoyed the dancers but Marilyn liked it. After the show she asked me to write my name down in her book of musicians and soon after she booked me to play in the Rose Room. I played nearly every week from then until it became the Pearl.

In the early days of the mercury there was a man named George “Boogie Woogie” Daniels who was a regular fixture that Marilyn told me about. Im grateful I could bring back some Boogie Woogie for the final years.

Oh and i should say R.I.P. to David Booker

Sam

Westin Isaiah Koa Hess depends on an active internal life for their creative works, and hopes to continually bring people back into their bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits through artwork.

Mxxx. J (xe, xem, xer(s) singular pronouns) is a full-time multidisciplinary artist who has been writing poetry since 2013 and performing since 2020. Xe is passionate about community and is involved with art events daily, including hosting a variety open mic at SAME Café every 3rd wednesday 6-9pm called So All May Express, and an interactive writing workshop with Sacred Voices Denver (in which xe is a board member as well) called Sacred Voices WRITE!, which is every 3rd saturday currently at Lighthouse Writers Workshop from 2-4pm. Follow xem at @m.x.x.x.j on Instagram and Eider Luda on Facebook to get and stay in touch if you aren't already! Xe is also primarily a maker and vendor (@sickeningcreations), as well as a drag performer, dancer, and drummer. Also, enjoy the T this episode includes, which Mxxx. J always has.

Heads up - we talk about events in the episode that may no longer be upcoming, as this was recorded several months ago. Definitely check out Mxxx. J on socials or reach out to get info on the most up to date events and happenings.

Recorded on April 14th, 2026

J Diego Frey is the preposterous nom de plume for a human poet raised in the southeast corner of Denver, Colorado, from a time at least a few years before anybody’s hiking boots scuffed up the Moon.

J Diego has published two collections of poetry, Umbrellas or Else and The Year the Eggs Cracked, both of which are considered essential reading in several very hip bathrooms. The books can be purchased from the publisher, Conundrum Press, an imprint of Bower House Books (bowerhousebooks.com), for less than you would spend on overpriced coffee and prune danish over the course of a very jittery Monday. The books offer a unique aggregation of both formal and decidedly informal verse that comment on and rhyme with a cross-section of mundanity in modern (read, the last 40 years or so) American life.

Joshua C. Robinson (Xe/Xem/Xer) is an intersex, non-binary, poet and performer. Xe received degrees in Playwriting and Poetry from the University of Missouri; xe hold a Master’s of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. Xe are the founder of the Screaming at America anthologies, which is in its third iteration. 

Xer work is featured in a multitude of journals and stages, New City, The Maneater, Writer's Block Zine, The GuloGulo Anthology, Exposed and more. Xe survived a year and a half of nonconsecutive homelessness. Xer memoir “Homeless With God,” has yet to win any awards, but there's still time. Xe would like to take themselves less seriously someday. Xe would also like to take a nap. Xe love you, and xe mean it.

Follow Joshua on IG @artbeforemoney

Screaming at America Anthology

Megan's collection Sike Ward is out now and available through South Broadway Press.

Note - This episode contains a discussion about mental health topics including hospitalization and suicidal ideation.

Megan Foley—aka: Cool Boots—is a queer poet, author, and artist who specializes in crying & trying. They write sad poems, they make unhinged art, and they spend 60% of their time on Thesaurus.com trying to find the exact word they want. Megan is a professional weirdo, a career cryptid, and the leading expert on how to make the world a weirder place. Instagram: @megan_jean_foley

Clarence's audiobook, Lessons and Libations, is available for free, along with other of his works here.

Clarence Barbee is a multi-talented individual known for his literary achievements. As the author of multiple distinct works, “Chicken Soup and a Shot of Jack” and his debut poetry book “Fire Molten and Ash,” he showcases his versatility and creativity. Now, with the release of Lessons and Libations, Clarence continues to display a wit and keenness in his written (and spoken) works.

With a background as a spoken word artist, he has mastered the art of weaving words into evocative pieces that resonate with emotions. He was known for traveling the southeastern US under the stage name Nabraska. Currently serving as an educator in the Denver area, Clarence continues to inspire and shape young and old minds. He’s also a pretty great girl Dad!

His passion for writing remains unwavering as he diligently works on new ventures, including upcoming books, short stories, and poetry collections, further solidifying his place in the literary world.

Follow Clarence on IG ⁠@authorclarencebarbee⁠ and ⁠@poet402⁠

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Julian Thomas is an actor born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is best known for appearing in Jordan Peele’s “Hunters” (2020), ABC’s “For Life” (2020), and “Day of the Dead II: Contagium” (2005). He has also appeared in numerous comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Julian Thomas graduated from the notable theatre program at Northwestern University. Most recently Julian has narrated a number of audio books in fiction and non-fiction, including “We Matter; Athletes and Activism”, a collection of essays and interviews with high profile journalists, political activists and professional athletes, in which they explore the social justice landscape of today. It is available on Audible and Itunes.

Follow Julian on IG @thomas_artandlife

⁠Julian's IMDB page

David Latiff features to discuss their poetry collection THE CHAIR: A cluttered pile of neuroqueer poetry and themes of neurodivergence, executive dysfunction, battle bots, queerness, mental health, and getting your work out there as a poet and artist.

Follow the link purchase David's collection THE CHAIR: A cluttered pile of neuroqueer poetry

You can read more from David at their Substack

Eve Addams is a performance poet whose work mixes storytelling with elements of magical realism to explore memory, religion, trauma, and love. She was a member of the 2025 Mercury Slam Poetry Team and is a 2x Moth StorySlam winner.

Connect with her on Instagram @eveaddamspoet