Mike Sonksen

Mike Sonksen aka Mike the PoeT was born in Long Beach and is a 3rd-generation Southern California native. Poet, professor, journalist, historian and tour-guide, his latest book Letters to My City was just published by Writ Large Press. His poetry’s been featured on Public Radio Stations KCRW, KPCC & KPFK & TV programs like Spectrum News. His mission is to uplift the next generation of voices and build bridges across varying segments of society.

Literary Arts, Performing Arts

Genres

Journalism/Media, Literature, Non-fiction, Poetry
Spoken Word

Contact Information

Mike Sonksen
mikethepoetLA@gmail.com

Artist Links

Artist Work

The 562 (Audio Poem) (2013)
My audio poem "The 562" is my tribute to Long Beach and a companion piece to the essay I wrote about the San Gabriel River in early May Read that piece for more history The poem is my ode to not only Long Beach but the entire 562.

Beats And Rhymes: The 562
The poem is my ode to not only Long Beach but the entire Southeastern quadrant of Los Angeles County, better known as a region by its area code, 562.

I Am Alive in Los Angeles! (2015)
My poem on the Academy of American Poets website..

Link to I Am Alive in Los Angeles!

The Spirit of Southern California Poetry (2019)
I am interviewed here on KCRW..

Link to The Spirit of Southern California Poetry

Essay on LAtino Urbanism (2019)
James Rojas is an urban planner from East Los Angeles that humanizes public space by trumpeting a soulful philosophy he calls Latino Urbanism. He encourages us to be more mindful of how we move through the city.

Link to Essay on LAtino Urbanism