In 1985 poet Ross Talarico began a grassroots program in creative expression in Rochester, New York. As the program came together, so did the community--young and old, poor and privileged, even those who could not read or write but wanted to tell their stories. This book is a testimony to the poetry that experience produced. An exhilarating account of a successful experiment in promoting community self-expression, "Spreading the Word" interweaves the participants' stories with Talarico's own life, his struggle as a poet, and the drama of his workshops. The book will be both a resource and an...

Poetry. Ross Talarico's THE REPITLIAN INTERLUDES attempts to ask the sort of questions Milton and Dante posed, but replaces their gods with the gods of science and technology. Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going as a species? In one long poem, Talarico takes a look at the species as we "evolve scientifically and devolve humanistically" calling to question] the design between science and art"-Richard Anderson. Talarico "writes like a latter-day Wordworth, postulating in his prose a re-vision of poetry's purpose, and offering in this book] his prelude"-H.L. Hix. Recipient of the...

Fiction. In this modern-day Robin Hood tale, a teenager is chosen to be a part of the annual Christmas tradition of thievery and charity by the young mafioso of the local neighborhood. Thus begins the sorting out of friendships, the pursuit of American dreams, and the deep understanding of a father's sorrow and love.