This series is hosted by Marissa Forbes and will feature four incredible poets: Ahja Fox–the Poet Laureate of Aurora and author of forthcoming “Dis/Articulate” on July 6. Tyler Hurula–the Events Coordinator and Editor of Beyond the Veil Press and author of “Love Me Louder” on July 13. Becca Downs–author of “Acid Rain Epithalamium” on July 20. Ralonda Simmons–author of “Conversations” on July 27. Poetry on the Porch includes an open mic for all poets, free snacks & water.

Come for the poetry and stay for the community!

About the Poets

July 6th | Ahja Fox

Ahja Fox is a mother, educator, and the Poet Laureate of Aurora, Colorado for a four-year term. She has editorial, hosting, and teaching experience and has published in various online and print journals, including some anthologies. Her current work involves running the Muse Mentorship, putting together a community-made writing exhibit, doing lectures and workshops at various grade schools and Aurora Public Libraries, all while also working on her debut poetry book, Dis/Articulate. Ahja was a CAAPP Book Prize Finalist in 2021 and a GASHER Press First Book Scholarship Finalist in 2022. Discover more at her website and follow her on any social media platform @aefoxx.

 July 13th | Tyler Hurula

Tyler Hurula (she/they) is the pinkest poet and explorer based in Denver, Colorado. She strives to be the most queer and polyamorous person they can be and much of her poetry reflects these themes. Author of chapbook Love Me Louder (Querencia Press). Their poems can be found in publications including Anti-Heroin Chic, South Broadway Press, Boats Against the Current, Gnashing Teeth Publishing, and more. They have been nominated for Best of the Net and Pushcart Prizes. She is the assistant editor and events coordinator with Beyond the Veil Press. You can find her on Instagram @theprettypinkpoet.

 July 20th | Becca Downs

Becca Downs (she/they) is a writer, editor, educator, and poet who earned her MFA from the Mile-High MFA program at Regis University. She’s the author of Acid Rain Epithalamium (forthcoming with Beyond the Veil Press), and her poem “Burning Age” has been nominated for the 2024 Pushcart Prize. They lead weekly creative writing workshops throughout Denver and read poetry submissions for The Rumpus. You can find them on Instagram at @beccad___.

 July 27th | Ralonda Simmons

Ralonda Simmons writes poems and takes care of business. She's written and performed her poems for over a decade, and she believes in the ever-renewing power of the written and spoken word. Ralonda has worked with Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Art from Ashes, and Poetry for Personal Power. She's also featured at various venues in Denver, including the Denver Center of Performing Arts, Freedom of Speech, House of Poetry, Punketry, The South Broadway Ghost Society, and Jazzetry. She has also opened up for hip-hop greats as a member of the Lady Wu-Tang. She currently serves as the teaching assistant for Denver’s CLI chapter. Her book, Conversations, is a collection of work and will be out soon. You can find her on Instagram at @ralondatheepoet, and on her Facebook page by searching Ralonda, a poet. If you manage to see her in the streets, say what's up.

Host | Marissa Forbes

Marissa Forbes (she/her) is an author, artist, and creative instructor. Her poetry books, Surviving Peter Pan (Beyond the Veil Press) and Brief & Bleeding Margins (World Stage Press) were published in 2023. Other published poems and short stories can be read on marissaforbes.com and on IG: @word_nerd_ris. She is the Managing Editor for Twenty Bellows and an art instructor at The Art Garage and teaches poetry for the Denver Chapter of Community Literature Initiative’s 10 month Poetry for Publication program. Forbes has resided all over the country but now lives a colorful life in Denver with her two children, father, dog, and cat where she hones her personal mission of amplifying art and community in Colorado.