About Roberto Ascalon
NYC-born Roberto Ascalon is a poet, writer, arts educator, and spoken-word performance artist who lives in the historic Youngstown/Cooper School in West Seattle. Roberto uses his love for the craft of poetry to transform the world that surrounds him. He connects with audiences via universal narratives that encompass topics like racism, first kisses, love, family, and Spam. He has taught at Nova High School and participated in Seattle Arts and Lectures Writers-in-the Schools program. Roberto currently works as a teaching artist and mentor for Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, and the Service Board.
Nominated by Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
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Located in the Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle, the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center offers creative resources to the community including a recording studio, media lab, theater, movement studio, workshop, gallery, and classrooms. Cooper Artist Housing at the Youngstown provides 36 affordable live/work studios for rent to artists of all disciplines on the top two floors and in the converted attic of the building.
CRADLE
by Roberto Ascalon
When I donate blood
I always ask the technician if I
can hold the bag afterwards.
What does
one quart of me
feel like?
I want to know.
They never let me.
It is against regulations
to hold yourself
in that way.