The Root of Many Returns

Current Projects: VGP and VGP Books

2012-02-19T19:54:00.000-08:00

Good evening, I strive to write to you this entry, and thank you for your returns. Many activities have surrounded me as of late and have kept me equally busy. From Carcinogenic to our publishing schedule at Virgogray which will include four new collections and the new issue of Nothing. No One. Nowhere., to booking readings for the spring and early summer, I am quite busy. I was able to create some new web promotionals for the latest collections, the second generation of Virgogray Press publications. We'll soon be getting our online store up and running, though please note, not all of our titles are in print anymore. Most of the first generation chapbooks are now out of print, and the remaining are in limited quantities. You should check the publications list at Virgogray Press for full detail. In the meantime, I can say we do have these titles in stock for sure at Virgogray Books:

1. Vegas Implosions by Chris D'Errico
2. By the Banks of the Ajoy, Jaideb Vanishes into the Blue by Subhankar Das

3. Carcinogenic Poetry Anthology Vol. 1
4. This Reality of Man by Michael Aaron Casares
5. The Stark Electric Space: An International Anthology of Indie Writers

6. NO FEAR by Doctori Sadisco
7. Limbo by Michael Aaron Casares
8. Sad Height by Jacob Gray
9. Nothing. No One. Nowhere. No. 2

10. Nude Poetry Garage Sale by Peter Magliocco
11. Coiled & Swallowed by Sara Crawford
12. The Terrorist by Michael Aaron Casares
13. Dear Bela Poetry Anthology
14. VGP National Petry Month Anthology

15. Institutional Wallet by Suzi Kaplan Olmsted

16. Fresh Lotus Rehab by Marc Olmsted

We will soon have in stock:

1. In the Broken Things by Gillian Prew

2. War Hammer Piano Bar by David S. Pointer
4. Carcinogenic Poetry Anthology Vol. 2

Current Virgogray Press titles are always available at our printers lulu.com. This is what is in stock for Virgogray Books, an online and traveling bookshop for which I am currently compiling an inventory. If you see me in person or out at the poetry readings here in Austin and are interested in purchasing a copy do not be afraid to come up and ask. I will gladly be service as all monies go back into the press and shop and help me get more books to share. As you may or may not know, Virgogray is using new POD technology to publish and warehouse, so our first generation chapbooks will not be available once they are sold out. In the future we may re-release second editions of specific VGP titles, as in Vegas Implosions by Chris D'Errico. In the meantime, I am wrapping up Nothing. No One. Nowhere. No. 3 which shall feature an art spread and interview with artist Justin Jackley, as well as much great poetry other literary modes. Most enjoyable for me regarding a publication like NNN is its ability to go in any direction. Look for a jam packed issue.

As always, we are reading submissions for Carcinogenic Poetry, Nothing. No One. Nowhere. and The Occupy Poetry Project. The Occupy Poetry Project has begun to slow down, we shall see what comes of the project. I hope best writing and reading to all concerned. Take care.

Poem: "Corporation and State" from This Reality of Man

2012-01-23T00:39:00.001-08:00

A Reading at Ruta Maya Coffee House

2012-01-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Ruta Maya open mic hosts poets, Bill Shute and Michael Aaron Casares for a night of verse and open mic. Bill Shute, a poet and publisher from San Antonio, returns for his third annual reading, this time featuring his collection "Junk Sculpture From The New Gilded Age". Local poet, Michael Aaron Casares shares poetry from his new book, "This Reality of Man" and more! Open Mic precedes and follows! Free and open to the public!

I am very much looking forward to this reading. Bill Shute of Kendra Steiner Editions and I have met every winter during the new year to share our latest work and poetry with the people of Austin, as well as friends and other poetry enthusiasts. The previous two readings were held at the now defunct Hideout Monday night open mic in downtown Austin. That's not to say that the Hideout is now defunct. This year we take our reading to a familiar place: Ruta Maya International Headquarters, a venue that has supported the literary arts for longer than I can remember. I've read several times on the Ruta Maya stage. This will be the first time I will be performing as featured reader, so the occasion is momentous. Bill Shute will be presenting new work, and I will most likely read from my book This Reality of Man, though I am tempted to read some new work. There will also be an open mic for any interested in participating in the poetry revelry. There is also a full bar for those who desire to be truly revelrous.

Butterfly 2012

2012-01-01T11:25:00.001-08:00

There is no room for streets

and buildings and modern things
these conveniences are sure to
sate the wealthy upper living

or the old brutes who are in control
of a prehistoric world of an unev0lved man.

The vast pelt of existence is
littered with the junks of history,

a linear short story that expands
and collapses on itself like
any other preconceived idea defended
and protected by those vested financially.
There is no room for concern for poets

and artists willy-nilly distracted by
the triviality of our talents. The bold truths
rent, wreck, raze, resurrect the visions of
what mankind is proposed to be.
Entity on television cast divine rights
as violet flames transmute all energies to love,

spike Hill fast the charms of the discerning,
learn well the traits of those who don t speak,
they come to you in the mind like little

butterflies of inspiration, iridescent
with silver and gold.

Take Me to Atlantis

2011-12-23T13:41:00.000-08:00

Wonderful. I just picked a nice X-Mas gift for myself. :-) Generally speaking X-Mas was not something I celebrated in my life because we didn't celebrate Christmas. I do believe there are certain things in my life that happened as they did that lend to me my current way of thought. Kinda' Nature's way of saying, "Here ya go, I'll let ya pick up where ya left off and curve somethings for you. You need to see the bigger picture and all this traditional hoojoo juju will just cloud your vision; and by the way, here's what I thinks about sex..." At the same time, I'd like to wish all Merry X-Mas and Happy Holidays and New Year and etc. I do enjoy this time of year for all intents purposed, but that's just me. There is another tradition I have formed for myself with friends and family, but that is a tale for another time, in another way. This X-Mas, I just hope to be where I need to be. I am not worried about much else. That is not to say there isn't much to do, or much going on. This year has ended quickly, and I do not believe that people didn't notice how quick time is flying. I wonder how quickly 2012 will pass. It's as if we were almost down the drain, circling the rim. I postulated to one fine individual when I was in California that perhaps the other side of a black hole was a white hole that spit out life. So you may look at this expression positively when I say we are almost down the drain, as in time is quickening. But I am pleased that things are still as well as they are, as my family not only did not celebrate Christmas, they also believed they, as out-standing Christians, were to be persecuted. You may say I've always had to believe that the great day of Harmaggedon would come, but I've since out-grown that thought process. Trust me, this isn't a religious rant or condemnation. My family and their belief's are well-meaning, just skewed as any other. New traditions are nice.

I have just swooped up two Ayn Rand auctions on E-veryone's favorite auction website which shall remain nameless (cause you know what it is and they don't pay me to advertise). I won a copy of Atlas Shrugged

because I have not read this book. This was a book to read in High School for our advanced courses, but I never read it. Yes, it's true. I read Anthem. We all remember Anthem. But Atlas Shrugged about a train? Yes, I did see the movie, which was so easy to digest; I had to buy the book. I applaud the ideals of this movie and am interested in this "self-interest" philosophy but I believe this may have been something painted on her by her critics. I know she named all her beliefs, Objectivist and what not. Very interesting. I would call it "free markets" or "constitutional" it would seem so anyway, after all the movie exhibited societal symptoms of liberty and freedom verses collectivist, socialistic, fascist-like marriage of gov and big business. I was pissed there was a part two and I have to wait until Fall 2012 to watch, so I am getting the book and reading all 1200 pages of it instead. I can't imagine, but then again. Atlantis.... I also won a sheet of Ayn Rand stamps. I am very excited about this. I am by no means a stamp collector, but considering what Atlas Shrugged stands for, I thought this an interesting item to have. They were issued in 1999 and are 33 cent stamps. I have been aware of this writer and her work for many years, but never engaged it. In some ways I feel there are ideas expressed in these works that I may not have been ready for, may not have appreciated. I will enjoy engaging Ayn and her ideas more thoroughly. I also picked up Death and Fame and Orpheus Emerged. I'm really excited about these, as well.

The rest remains the same. When I have finished with a few manuscripts that need formatting for publication, I will see what new works I can share. I did have a few new publications in The Art:Mag #37. Very glad to be there. I've submitted some new work to other places, so we'll see how it goes. I am hoping to re-release Sad Height, a book I published myself in 2005 under the pen name Jacob Gray. The book had a very small print run and is now out of print. I've been toying with a re-release even to posting it on the Virgogray Press website. Sad Height features old poetry. The gist is a mix of personal and social poetry, symptomatic of our condition; the book's title literally meaning, a depression, or sadness, at the height or pinnacle of a culture or society. An idea hidden in the triviality of my work. Admittedly, when most of these poems were written, I had a very limited understanding of politics and other topics in that vein, but the feeling was there and what I experienced were symptoms of that time, something I needed to express without being able to fully explain. This was the art that was born. Never let it be said, a poet weren't somewhat empathic, even less an artist, either that or I was tapping into the subtle mass conscious tissue we are a part of and siphoning it onto paper. I will tell you as things progress. Or you can try to buy a copy, there are a handful of copies floating around out there somewhere.

There will be more updates, back-logging and writings forthcoming. Stay-tuned if you dare. Merry X-Mas everybody.

Occupy: Poetry

2011-12-05T21:47:00.001-08:00

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, scourers of the free Internet world. It may have come to the attention of some there has been an occupation of sorts taking place in cities around the United States and the world, now. The late, great news is the occupation-- the idea was to Occupy Wall Street, since it is Wall Street who seems to be benefiting from all the financial upheaval and hiccups which have noticeably occurred since 2008-- is still happening. There are many messages and demands and even a certain amount of uncertainty in the crowds. We've seen democrats and republicans duke it out, we've seen unions en masse, we've seen occupiers violate the 1st Ammendment by capping free speech, we've seen the police violate human rights and our right to gather peacefully. We've even seen big names like the Poetry Foundation support the OWS movement and encourage acts of poesy and literacy to abound. The latter getting my attention, I thought to start a poetry blog that could stand out for its forthrightness, as well for its literary quality.

The Occupy Poetry Project is intended to be a forum for people to voice their concerns to those whom we have allowed to govern us through poetry and art. To date we've had several poets, writers and people share their work with us and I am very happy for it. As activist poetry is something I align with, I thought it an exceptionable idea. With our publication America Remembered, and our upcoming, Sing Now, America, I thought a periodical and free website would be a nice way to round-off a theme that runs throughout my press' history. That in itself is how poetry connects us directly to the voice yearning inside us, whether personal or social. This is what causes one to speak. Be it eloquently or not, this is also a reason people are gathered in occupation; to make a point, that they will speak and they will be heard. I also think it a noble cause.

To be certain, what The Occupy Poetry Project represents is the voice of the people, and in so doing is A-political, taking only the side of what is better for humanity. Do not be mistaken, though, I do have my own ideas of what is better and what would help. The word "Constitutional," and the phrase "Bill of Rights" comes to mind, and I am sure big government quivers, but if one closely examined the various activities that are being reported on cable news, and funneled to the locals, it does seem that not much of our country's Constitution and Bill of Rights is left, but, I suppose it is there in name, and as long as tyranny isn't too conspicuous, the majority of us won't mind. Well, The Occupy Poetry Project is definitely a beacon for the literary world, trying to shed light to voices in the dark part of the literary, web-world.

If you are a writer and you are interested in sharing your voice, check out the website below, and spread the word...

http://www.occupypoetryproject.com/

Notes on Ajoy

2011-12-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

A few things linger on the horizon. Aside from my voyage to the pyramids in 6 days (which has me wondering why I hadn't began a personal blog sooner because 2011 was a very active year and I have no plans for next year), there is much to accomplish in the literary world. Subhankar Das' By the Banks of Ajoy Jaideb Vanishes into the Blue and the Carcinogenic Poetry 2nd annual print anthology are two publications that will soon see the light of day. The, as promised, return of Suzi Kaplan Olmsted and Justin Blackburn is in sight, as well as the third installment of Nothing. No One. Nowhere. which will also mark the final issue edited by Amelia Hoff. I will be taking the reigns on the fourth issue and may be looking for a future guest editor. 2012 will be a year I hope to open the press up a bit more, or perhaps partner and expand. Since the press' inception in 2004 and then its re-initiation in 2008, I've kept the doors closed to partnerships besides those I forged with the writers and artists I worked on projects with. Anyone who has been around the Internet literary scene probably understands there's so much to do. The difference for me, however, is Virgogray has never been intended to be limited to the Internet, and in fact, as a publisher of chapbooks and, now books, used the Internet more as a promotional tool than a means of fostering a community and neighborhood. A prime reason why it is easier to catch me at my e-mail address than Facebook or some other social cess. And so, you see I would like to have an editor for for NNN and someone who can run our Facebook account, etc. but there are no funds for that, so use the e-mail address if its really important.

But, I wanted to talk about By the Bank of the Ajoy... it is right around the corner and I am particularly excited because it will be our first bilingual release, in both English and Bangla (translated by Sedushna Majumdar). I am honored to share the work of Subhankar Das, publisher from India who runs an independent bookstore, Shilalipi, in addition to his own independent, lit press-- Graffiti Kolkata. Below is a preview page of the book. If you want to read it in English, you're just gonna have to wait.

I have been anticipating this project's completion for many months. I offer eternal apologies for the wait, but I'm sure all will be pleased with what lies in store. I was first introduced to Subhankar and his work via the Graffiti Kolkata Broadside, a periodical poetry publication with the latest, dynamic indie lit out there. Excited as I am, I shall release full details as they become available. Anyone interested in doing a blurb or review-- I'll gladly send an e-copy via e-mail. Just get in touch. Take care...

A Warm Welcome

2011-11-28T23:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my official website. I am a writer and novice publisher from Austin, TX. This website shall serve as a nexus for my work, projects, and whatever else I decide fit to publish. I am an independent artist attempting to make it on the virtue of what I create, and your support is appreciated; thank you for visiting. More and more information will become available as I grow the site, including a site store where you may purchase my books, paintings and other materials. While Virgogray Press and Lizard's Tale Press may both be referenced on my website, this website is dedicated solely to my own personal views and information. If you are interested in Virgogray or Lizard's Tale Press, I encourage you to visit the links panel to your left. Finally, if you are interested in hiring me as a book designer or editor for your work, please feel free to contact me.

There is much ado in the publishing world, by the way. After a forced vacation from the websites (which I shall commence updating and backdating and what not), the name of the game is Puchcart Prize nominees, Carcinogenic Poetry Anthology Vol. 2, the new Subhankar Das collection, as well as Olmsted, Blackburn and Marti. With the holidays, secular work has kept me busy, and with a trip to Mexico in less than two weeks, the end of this year may move quicker than the whole year itself. I've not been able to focus on my own poetry projects, as I've been neglecting to promote This Reality of Man as much as I might; I have been brainstorming a return to novel writing and hashing up projects I've kept on the back-burner. All of this in the name of growing the press and the literature I foster. I appreciate the great patience many have had in our work and look forward to future projects.

Appearing on "Voice of the People" Radio

2011-09-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Sept. 10, 2011

(8:00PM) - I will be speaking with host Gregory Miller on The Voice of the People Radio on the Exogeny Radio Network airing live on 105.3 UPRN New Orleans, LA. The broadcast will be simulcast online. 8PM Central / 9 PM Eastern. Visit ExogenyNetwork.com for more details. We will talk about my new book, This Reality of Man and publishing.

Letter to Lloyd Doggett: End the Fed

2011-04-27T23:43:00.000-07:00

It has recently come to my attention that a Bill to Audit the Federal Reserve, as well as a Bill to abolish the Federal Reserve, have been introduced into Congress by representative Ron Paul of Texas. HR 459 (The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011) and HR 1094 (The Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act) are two important Bills that would free the United States of America from the chains corporate banking and Central Banking practices have inflicted on the people and the sovereignty of our nation. The call to end the practice of central banking, indeed, having a corporation bank profit off a government and run a monetary policy (backed by thin air – yes, debt money) that weakens the country’s currency and therefore its purchasing power and therefore eventually its sovereignty, is tantamount to the protecting the very liberty and freedom gained by declaring independence from this parasitic business/government relationship in the first place. Having supported HR 1207, a bill to Audit the Federal Reserve, which was successful, but later gutted by Chris Dodd in the Senate, I recognized the importance of supporting these two new bills. I wrote to my representative, Lloyd Doggett, who supported HR 1207, but much to my dismay, has not signed on to HR 459.

Hello, how are you? I am writing as a concerned constituent. I would like to express to you my opinion and desire. To be sure, there are many issues that I could address in this letter, but I am going to focus on the Federal Reserve Central Bank of America and the new bill to Audit the Federal Reserve: HR 459. Heartened by the fine fight we put up just months ago against the privacy of the Federal Reserve and their records, as well as the previous HR 1207 passing in the House and some sort of an audit occurring, I was very pleased to find another bill to audit this diabolical creation of business, corporations and profits that feeds off the American people and has placed the sovereignty of this nation and its people in grave danger. I was disheartened to find you had not yet signed on. Almost half of all the Texas Representatives in the House of Congress signed on. In fact, when I looked at our map, our district is almost completely surrounded by supporters of HR 459. What is the hold out? I certainly hope not because The Federal Reserve, the Central Banks, the banking corporations behind this fraud is a clear and present danger to the sovereignty of the United States of America.

I encourage you to sign on to HR 459 and have some integrity on this issue. Please consider, too, signing on to HR 1094 to abolish the Federal Reserve. I’ve read the text of both bill’s and agree. The people of Austin, the people of Texas and the people of this great country HAVE NOT forgotten about this issue. I hope you have not either. Thank you for continuing to serve the will of the people and your constituents.

I hope to hear a reply soon.

Early Paintings

2010-07-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

Regret
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas
2000,
Michael Aaron Casares

Early Paintings

2010-06-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

Untitled
11 x 14
Oil on Canvas
2001
Michael Aaron Casares

Letter to NFSPS

2010-03-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Please Forward to Chapter Members

Good day. My name is Michael Aaron Casares and I am writing you today to discuss poetry and the role of the NFSPS and respective state Poetry Societies and Chapter Members. Poetry has been with me since I was younger. I enjoyed drawing and story-telling, and still do, and most of my poetry was formed in this fashion, but as I continued and progressed, as I advanced in schooling, my love for poetry and writing deepened. In later years, I understand the importance of poetry as an expressive genre for writers who are a specific kind. As with all forms of expression and creativity, as with man in general, the honesty and alertness of speaking from the soul is always a present possibility. Poetry is a genre of writing that does just that, but more than that was written with this purpose. It is only with poetry that an art is literally made out of the spoken articulation of the soul, and to that end is the exclusive genre protecting and defending the soul. That is the importance of poetry in all the moods and tones it sets us in. In my opinion, poetry should serve to protect man, for other than journal and news writing, what other form of writing is brave enough to speak up without the validation of peers, fear of public and social scrutiny, or the veneer of fiction or storytelling. Poetry should serve to enlighten man, and aid us in understanding our collective differences whether by amusing, frustrating, enlightening, humoring, depressing, et al; it is by these we realize our unity and shared equality of emotions, for what is a human who did not love humanity and, in such, desire to protect it. The importance of poetry as educational is paramount to its importance as a literary device, as an art form, because it is a tool that can be used to educate and teach the expressed truth of the human soul, and the truths important to the perpetuation of man; to alert man. I encourage all State Society Members, Chapter Members and The Board of The National Federation of State Poetry Societies to take the reigns of this remarkable vehicle you’ve been given charge of and to promote poetry as an educational vessel expressing the truths of the soul for the betterment of mankind. Thank you for your time and be well.