“Poetry is an escape a way out.” Blue notes. Born and raised in the United States He notes the peculiar place he has in this country. As many people may bash and speak ill of this country he has no qualms about the possibilities that can come in the free enterprise society.

Actually he likes it. Yet even in liking it Blue notes many things he doesn’t like about it. Ever critical, Blue has many things to say and even poets may not like it. “Rap is poetry. Poetry is rap,” Blue started, “In a sense it seems like rap left me behind. I don’t like the culture.” Blue doesn’t see where rappers are going to continue rapping in their mid century years. Poetry is different. Knowing that The Last poets still do poetry Blue sees longevity in this form of art rather vocation because Blue lives of his art. There is no day job other than sales, marketing and promotions of his book,”Corner Stores in the Middle of the Block.” And now “Don’t Beat Your Children Or They’ll Turn Out Like Me.” Not that poetry has been a lifelong dream of his, Blue has done many things from graphic design to boxing to anything other than the widespread classical nine to five job. In 1998 he realized his passion for poetry and moved on it. He saved up some money and printed up his own selection of verses and views and wrapped it black with his image on the cover. Sort of like money is with dead presidents he puts it out and it moves from had to hand and people are buying. The reasoning for his success blue states, “A lot of times (the public) they’re thinking the same thing I’m thinking except they don’t put it on paper. I think I speak for the masses.” Subway cars are filled with all walks of life and Blue with his vocalized observations has mass appeal. The numbers don’t lie. When RO caught up with him, he was fresh out of his first batch of books and waiting on the next shipment. “There’s a Market for poetry,” Blue began, “It has to be thought provoking, it has to be enlightening and has to be comedy also.” Now don’t expect to find him at the local poetry spot. Blue has found there is not much profit in being there. Expressing a bit of disdain Blue notes that poetry has gone mainstream with a “2 drink minimum” and “people at the bar that don’t respect what the poets got to say and can’t be quiet.” In other words they kill the art. Corner stores in the middle of the block is just that. Blue’s words take you through life as anyone who lives in New York City knows it. From the fifty cent cost for 34 cents stamp to that lady on the train you saw that looked so good you had to tell somebody, to staring at the tourists while they watch you from the bus in Harlem or not noticing the tourist staring because you have to watch the ground so not to step into something the dog dropped.. He has observed it, lived it fantasized about it and is writing about it. Funny thing is that you have probably done all the same things with the exception of either saying it or writing it. If you haven’t, maybe you should. He can be found on the bus, train, park, street or block near you or you an email him at www.Poetryisalive.com www.myspace.com/poetryisalive www.myspace.com/bradbathgate Truly a people’s poet, Blue states, “The reality is all to clear and present and is easily placed as beauty sitting on the train to the bad comedy that most brothers use to relate to each other. It is at the same time sad like wanting and not having but realizing someone else has and doesn’t want. Sweet like loving someone and realizing it. Sour like loving someone and realizing it. With “Corner Stores in the Middle of the Block” Blue gets to expound on the everyday in a way that most only think of but never actually go, to tell on the mountain.