portland poets

August 10, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “You Wanna a Date?” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, free verse, jazz imagery, justice, longing, political poetry, Portland, portland poets, social commentary, street poetry, urban life, urban night, vulnerability

A late‑night encounter in Portland turns into a free‑form jazz solo about justice, longing, and the dates we’re all still waiting for.

June 4, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Peace” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, music and poems, portland poets, Prince, war, When Doves Cry

Poet Derek Thiem braids fragments of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” into a meditation on how peace movements have transformed from the idealism of the 1960s to the fractured conflicts of today.

November 13, 2025

Poetry Spotlight: “I’m Not Waiting” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight, Politics contemporary poetry, derek thiem, I Am Not Waiting, portland poets, protest poetry, recovery poetry, social justice poetry, spoken word Portland, street poet Portland

Graphic with the heading "Poetry Spotlight" and the title “1993” by David Thiem, presented by Unencumbered Press. A faded image of a grunge-era musician playing guitar is visible in the background.

June 3, 2025

Poetry Spotlight: “1993” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Music, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight 1993 poem, 90s nostalgia, alternative music, derek thiem, grunge poetry, music and memory, nirvana, poetic reflection, poetry, political poetry, portland poets, recovery poetry, red hot chili peppers, tori amos

DEREK THIEM is a former English teacher and a street poet based in Portland, Oregon. His poetry and lyrics explore recovery, street life, and Portland’s ever-changing pulse. He occasionally dabbles in themes of astrophysics, metaphysics, and erotica, revealing the unexpected breadth of his creative mind. You can find him on Facebook and YouTube under his name, and hear his work set to music on Suno.com under the monikers VioletKeyboard944 and ExasperatingVocoder2004. 1993 Where are the […]

Graphic with the heading "Poetry Spotlight" and the title “Halcyon Days” by Derek Thiem, presented by Unencumbered Press. In the background, a concert crowd raises their hands under pink and purple stage lights.

June 2, 2025

Poetry Spotlight: “Halcyon Days” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Music, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight 90s music, club culture, dance poetry, derek thiem, electronic music, halcyon days poem, lyrical poetry, music and memory, music poem, narrative poetry, nostalgia, poetic tribute, poetry, portland oregon, portland poets, rave culture, street poetry, underground music, Unencumbered Press

Graphic with the heading "Poetry Spotlight" and the title “Ode to Old School” by David Thiem, presented by Unencumbered Press. A faint image of a vinyl record player is visible in the background.

June 1, 2025

Poetry Spotlight: “Ode to Old School” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Music, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight derek thiem, hip hop history, lyrical poetry, music and memory, music poem, narrative poetry, nostalgia, poetry, portland oregon, portland poets, street poetry