Well, I write things. Mainly poetry these days. This link takes you to samples and reviews from my first collection, GRATITUDE DIARY, along with a way to order the book: https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/gratitude-diary-jessica-cohn/https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mqklldpgjc2eNext up for The Spoken Experience: Dean Young, Monday, 7/27 @Capitola library@noon. We enjoy the featured poet's work ("You want happy endings, read cookbooks") and the ensuing conversation. Hope to see you. (Meetups, facilitated by local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman and Jessica Cohn)13 Jul 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqklldpgjc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mns66mctpk2b6/22@noon, the Spoken Experience returns to Capitola Branch Library. This month, this community of readers takes up the poems--sounds and spirit--of translator, essayist, logger, fire lookout, crewman, carpenter, back-to-the-land Buddhist environmentalist Gary Snyder. Join us "Ah, to be alive."08 Jun 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mns66mctpk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mlqyd3e57k25Next up: the great “Nobody.” The Spoken Experience returns May 18th@noon@Capitola Branch Library (third Monday rather than the fourth because of Memorial Day). This community of readers meets up monthly for communal readings of a featured poet's work. For May, the focus is on Emily D. Join us!13 May 2026 18:58 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqyd3e57k25https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mk4am2lm3c2zThe Spoken Experience returns April 27 at noon to the Capitola Branch Library (CA). The words of Arthur Sze, U.S. poet laureate, will be in focus for National Poetry Month. You're invited. You're always invited. This month marks one year for this welcoming community of readers. Join us!22 Apr 2026 19:35 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4am2lm3c2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mihdwjuajc26Because evil has a huge platform these days, I just want to post this and wish the good humans of Artemis all the good there is. Godspeed.01 Apr 2026 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihdwjuajc26https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mhe5ffgcos2fMonday, March 23rd, the Spoken Experience returns to the Capitola (CA) library from noon to 1 p.m. This month, we'll read poems from Eavan Boland. There's nothing like meeting up with fellow poetry fans. Join us!18 Mar 2026 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhe5ffgcos2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mfexzjigas2uYou're invited to a gathering of poetry fans at the library in Capitola, CA. The Spoken Experience meets at noon on the fourth Monday each month for a communal reading of a featured poet's work. On 2.23, we're reading Billy Collins, who doesn't hold himself out as "too good" to be humorous. Join us!21 Feb 2026 15:50 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfexzjigas2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mcliibjgk22zJoin readers who gather at the library in Capitola, CA, for a communal reading of a featured poet's work. The Spoken Experience meets on the fourth Monday at noon. On January 26, the discussion centers on the healing poems of Joy Harjo, first Native to serve as poet laureate for the U.S. Join us!17 Jan 2026 01:45 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcliibjgk22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3mbhkzpfjq224Thanks to Beth Gordon, Narmadhaa, Jude Marr, and Amanda McLeod (and Anne Kazak's art): "The Ticket" found a home in FERAL. https://feralpoetry.net/issue-twenty-four/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPE8wtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlWXpSazhYT2ZNazZiYjlRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoNtliiyZaW_0wjhmc9eTj65wTiw_9pdJCK564tQaCCm1OME30_i_qy8PoPq_aem_v1rNsd30mRJGWO7_-Kk0-A02 Jan 2026 18:55 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbhkzpfjq224https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3ma2qt3lnqs2fHere's a nice way to start the week, and you're invited. You're always invited: Reading Poems Together: The Spoken Experience: Monday, December 22, noon to 1 p.m.@Capitola Branch Library. This month, we're going to take some time to share poems from Naomi Shihab Nye.15 Dec 2025 23:08 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma2qt3lnqs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m74nidf2i22kFor the archives. Big thanks to Sacramento Poetry Center. https://youtu.be/s0SPyTuzZIk?si=Wcpd0npcI9UpvxpO03 Dec 2025 23:49 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m74nidf2i22khttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m5enanjhfk2u11 Nov 2025 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5enanjhfk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m52ttoy34s2cReading Poems Together: The Spoken Experience Monday, November 24, noon to 1 pm, Capitola Branch Library The poems of Jane Kenyon take the focus this month. Discussions facilitated by a trio of Aptos poets. If you feel so moved, you're welcome to bring a poem of your own to read at the end.07 Nov 2025 19:47 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m52ttoy34s2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m45aqnxdv22dReading Poems Together: The Spoken Experience Monday 10.27 @ Capitola Branch Library, noon-1 We're going to share some Tony Hoagland. Join us. Before I went to work on this planet I signed a nondisclosure agreement with god . . . from "Disclosure Agreement" By T.H.27 Oct 2025 01:18 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m45aqnxdv22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m3nk22qrzc2lAs of Sunday, GRATITUDE DIARY: POEMS (Main Street Rag) is one year old. Still in the stroller.20 Oct 2025 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3nk22qrzc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m2n67rzvbs27"Systematically" now "up" in Indianapolis Review's response to censorship. Thanks to the staff & fellow contributors: thanks to you, too. Does a heart good to read you. We had the option to not be tagged, given scary stuff happening. Talk about living in interesting times theindianapolisreview.com https://theindianapolisreview.com/07 Oct 2025 22:25 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2n67rzvbs27https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m2l7rdohbc2iCongrats to poets launching books or marking book birthdays. It's not easy to promote yourself--especially now. So we'll share your news in community on November 6th. Join us and meet others who might collaborate to help make your book's journey more enjoyable. Sign up NOW at saltandpoetry@gmail.com07 Oct 2025 03:47 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2l7rdohbc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3m2f23xhork2yWrote a fan-girl letter to the James Webb. It's published now in a Verseve book about the stars. Simpler times. A former teacher posted this quote, and wow it spoke: What kind of times are these When to talk about trees is almost a crime Because it leaves so much atrocity unspoken —Bertolt Brecht04 Oct 2025 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2f23xhork2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3lz7l6sdlic22Reading Poems Together: The Spoken Experience 9.22 from noon to 1 p.m. @ Capitola (CA) Branch Library Join us. This month we read Li-Young Lee: The radio in the kitchen is stuck in the year I was born. The capitals of the world are burning. from "Changing Places in the Fire," by Li-Young Lee19 Sep 2025 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz7l6sdlic22https://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3lyob46hakk2c🫶 open mic12 Sep 2025 21:59 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyob46hakk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3lxkyrdkeis2shttps://montereypoetryreview.weebly.com/fall-2025-poems/jessica-cohn29 Aug 2025 21:26 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxkyrdkeis2shttps://bsky.app/profile/jescohn.bsky.social/post/3lu7ckpospc2xIf you told me five years ago this would be me on Tuesday night, I don't know. I likely would have grimaced and changed the subject. Seems you really can change up your life.18 Jul 2025 01:34 +0000at://did:plc:37rnioxplzvrtln4famn3whb/app.bsky.feed.post/3lu7ckpospc2x