This is the official blog of Northern Arizona slam poet Christopher Fox Graham. Begun in 2002, and transferred to blogspot in 2006, FoxTheBlog has recorded more than 670,000 hits since 2009. This blog cover's Graham's poetry, the Arizona poetry slam community and offers tips for slam poets from sources around the Internet. Read CFG's full biography here. Looking for just that one poem? You know the one ... click here to find it.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Pleasure Haiku

Press your skin to mine,
hold me forever, my love,
your pleasure is mine

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

My Grandma Rocks Haiku

(This above photo isn't my grandma, but the below photo is )

Grandma Redfield Haiku
My grandma kicks ass ...
... Wasn't born a punk rock chick
but could have been one
Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Horse Haiku

After oil peaks
we'll resume riding horses.
I'll call mine "Padmè."

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Dr. Zoidberg Haiku

Just saw "District 9"
Surprised that Dr. Zoidberg
had such a small part

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Flower Tattoo Haiku


Tracing her tattoo
first with fingertips, then lips,
flowers seemed to bloom

Image by Lorelix04

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Her Back Tattoo Haiku

Tattoo stretched down back
making love to a canvas
in midnight's embrace

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Venice Haiku

Woken by the waves,
we make love all morning long,
until tide comes in.

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Two Lovers Haiku


I loved them both once,
best friends who became lovers,
three was a ... fun crowd.
Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Found deviantART Haiku, for Wintermute

Photo by Hannah Havoc
When you come back,
love her like you used to... it's OK...
...and she deserves it.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Apple Piercing Haiku

I pierced an apple
and recalled her nipple rings
gliding over tongue
Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Ant Haiku

The world seems heavy
and look at the ants. Then get
magnifying glass.


Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Four Horsemen Haiku

Are the Four Horsemen
that awful? Guys who like horses
can't be all bad

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Hippie on a Rampage Haiku

Hippie rampages.
Patchouli, fire and brimstone.
You stole his last smoke

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Frozen in Carbonite Haiku

Let's freeze George Lucas
until film technology
can erase Jar-Jar
Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Modern-Day Jesus Haiku

"And you shall know him ..."
But would Christ be a pothead
talking about love?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

World War II Anniversary Haiku #4

On Gdańsk, Lvov,
Kazanów, Kielce and Warsaw streets
Poles stood armed, waiting
Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

World War II Anniversary Haiku #3

Did the boys my age
fathom what would soon befall
the whole of Europe?

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

World War II Anniversary Haiku #2

As the war began,
my still-teenage grandparents
watched dominos fall

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

World War II Anniversary Haiku #1

Seventy years ago,
Poland resisted Hitler
and the world trembled

Haiku Death Match at Sedona's GumptionFest IV on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Poets Schedule at GumptionFest 4

GumptionFest 4 Poets Schedule

All times are subject to change but probably won't. Be sure to pick up a schedule the day of the performances for any updates. Musicians: Please e-mail gumptionfest@gmail.com if you have any changes or questions about scheduling.

Poets:
  • Sign up with Christopher Fox Graham when you arrive (My hubs will be GFHQ/Art Gallery or the Cabaret Stage). If you don't know what I look like by now, I'm the dude to the right.
  • I won't assign anyone in advance for Saturday or Sunday except GF staff. This is to ensure I have poets present. Find me as soon as you arrive and you want your slot.
  • Poets will fill the space between bands. The timing is based on the bands' schedule. Poet times are approximate.
  • Once you have your slot assignment(s) get to the venue at least 20 minutes before, as some bands may run short or go long.
  • Contact the stage MC when you arrive so he or she knows who you are and that you're present.
  • As soon as the band finishes, the host will announce you. Get up there quick. Plug your events or merchandise.
  • You can preview your poem, banter with the crowd, etc., but just remember that you have limited time.
  • Start performing. The previous band will be breaking down behind you and the next band will be setting up.
  • You are the distraction for the audience, and your mission is to ensure there is no break in the artistic performance, so ignore the distraction and own the stage. When the band is ready, finish your last poem and get off the stage quickly.
  • If you read your three poems and the band is still setting up, you're still the act. Read another. Entertain the crowd until the band is ready.
  • The whole audience may not be paying attention. There's no need to be a jerk about that, but keep in mind that someone in the audience is always listening, so keep going. The audience would rather hear you than watch techs anyway.
  • I will try to match poets with bands to ensure the biggest crowd for you, i.e., introspective poets get solo guitarists or tamer acts while shock-and-awe slam poets will get rowdy crowds.
  • The poetry is uncensored, but the festival is all ages. There is no need to censor yourself, just be aware. You have to deal with angry parents.
  • If you have raunchy poetry with strong language, let me know and I'll book you in a more adult-orientated slot.
  • Merchandise: Sell whatever you can or want but you're responsible. If you want to set up a booth, contact Dave Harvey and Melinda at Creative Flooring, 928-204-5542. A booth is $50.
  • Greenroom at the GumptionFest HQ and Gallery at 2020 Contractors road is open to performers and poets. You can leave your gear here. Donated coffee, food is available for poets and performers in the Greenroom.
  • Open Mic: The open mic is available whenever. Take advantage.

Friday, September 4,

GumptionFest Kick-Off Party at Ken’s Creekside

Band

Poet (Rough. I may see about multiple poets)



~5:50

Maple Dewleaf

6:00

Jay Fout & Keith Martini

~6:50

Maple

7:00

Jake Payne

~7:50

Nika Levikov

8:00

Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott

~8:50

Jessica Laurel Reese

9:00

Busker Eaton

~9:50

Mikel Weisser

10:00

Decker & The Doppelgangers

~10:50

Christopher Fox Graham & Nancy MacDonald

11:00

Deepa (Flagstaff)




Saturday, September 5,

GumptionFest 4, Day One

Oak Creek Brewery

MC: Jessica Laurel Reese, Jen Valencia

Band

Poet



~11:50


12:00

Moonstone (Chicky & Tommy)

~1:20


1:30

Decker & The Doppelgangers

~2:50


3:00

Busker Eaton

~4:20

Jen Valencia

4:30

Deepa (Flagstaff)

~5:50


6:00

Clover (Flagstaff)

~7:20


7:30

OptimistiChaos

~8:50


9:00

Yin Yang & Zen Some

~10:20

MC Antranormus and The Canyon Animals

10:30

What Laura Says Thinks & Feels (Tempe)

~11:50

MC Antranormus and The Canyon Animals

12:00

Dry River Yacht Club (Tempe)



GumptionFest Cabaret Tent

MC: Christopher Fox Graham

Band

Poet



~10:50


11:00

Mikel Weisser

~12:20


12:30

Ryan Biter (Flagstaff)

~1:50


2:00

Eric Miller

~3:20


3:30

Jazz Bedouins

~4:50


5:00

Haiku Death Match

6:15

Carrie Kohnya (6:15)

~6:25


6:30

Radio Dogma

~7:50


8:00

Professor Big Swinger



Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage

MC: Walker Marchal

Band

Poet



~12:20


12:30

Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott

~1:50


2:00

Jake Allen (San Diego)

~3:20


3:30

Lindsay Dragan (Flagstaff)

~4:50


5:00

Courtney Nicole (San Francisco)

~6:20


6:30

Jake Payne

~7:50


8:00

Skin Deep



Studio Live

MC: Jennifer Reddington, Suzy Schomaker, April Payne

Workshop/Band

Poet

10:00

Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class

10:30

Performance Poetry Workshop w/ Mikel Weisser

12:00

Bellydance Workshop w/Habib

1:00

Technical Vocal Workshop w/ Susannah Martin

2:00

Blues Dawg

~3:20


3:30

Summer Cygal

~4:50


5:00

Ralf Illenberger

~8:40


9:00

Concert w/ Freedom, Jake Allen and Näthan $15 Door

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent

MC:

12:00

AZ Dunan Ensemble

4:00

Open Mic (Sign Up) Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform.




Saturday, September 6,

GumptionFest 4, Day Two

Oak Creek Brewery

MC: Jessica Laurel Reese

Band



Poet





~12:20


12:30

Luminaria (Flagstaff)



~1:50


2:00

Ray Reeves Band (PHX)



~3:20


3:30

Damn Close (Flagstaff)



~4:50


5:00

MOS Funnel (Chicago



~6:20


6:30

The Ominators



~7:50


8:00

GumptionFest Afterparty

Dirty Water Jump Band,

The Devil Whale (Salt Lake City)

David Williams & Glade (Salt Lake City)

Jake Payne



Poets as needed









GumptionFest Cabaret Tent

MC: Christopher Fox Graham, Kathy Perry

Band

Poet



~11:50


12:00

Linda Ayers (30min.)

~12:30


12:45

Mikel Wiesser (30min.)

~1:15


1:30

Kelly Cole w/Kayt Perlman

~2:30


2:45

Habib (2:45)

~2:50


3:00

William Hoshal Quartet

~4:20


4:30

Jason Vargo w/ Eva George

~5:20


5:30

Women Divine, a capella and rhyme,

~5:50


6:00

Sam Cavanaugh

~7:20


7:30

Kenzo



Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage

MC: Walker Marchal

Band

Poet



~11:20


11:30

Stephen Sokola

~12:50


1:00

Two Suns

~2:20


2:30

The Sirens

~3:50


4:00

Larry 4 Life

~5:20


5:30

The Time Bandits (Tucson)

~6:50


7:00

Dave Harvey & Friends

~8:20


8:30

Freedom



Studio Live

MC: Jennifer Reddington, Suzy Schomaker, April Payne

Workshop/Band

Poet

10:00

Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class

10:30

A capella Singing Workshop w/ Wendy Davis

12:00

Writing our way to Happiness” Writing Workshop w/ Martha Entin

1:00

Intro to Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop w/Rick Cyge

2:00

Hank Levine

~3:20


3:30

Connie Fisher

~4:50


5:00

Third Point

~6:20


6:30

Baba Shibambo

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent

MC:

12:00-6:00

Open Mic (Sign Up) Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform.