Richard Modiano's poem "Gaijin"
© 2022 Richard Modiano While a resident of New York City Richard Modiano became active in the literary community connected to the Poetry Project, where he came to know Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, William S. Burroughs and Ted Berrigan. From 2010 to 2019, he served as Executive Director of Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center. The Huffington Post named him as one of 200 people doing the most to promote poetry in the United States. Richard is a rank and file member of the Industrial Workers of the World. In 2019 he was elected Vice President of the California State Poetry Society. His collection The Forbidden Lunchbox will be released by Punk Hostage Press this summer. Gaijin (usually translated as foreigner, literally outside person; outsider) Hike into western foothills of Heian Kyo Leave the path A shortcut through the bamboo grove And out the other side, someone's farm Stop to rest, sit ...