About me… I grew up in Central Oregon, Redmond, a town of 4000 with my four siblings. Dad was the music/band teacher from gradeschool through high school. Mom was Mom. It was the ’50’s, the 60’s. We rode our bikes everywhere, no one locked their doors. I learned to do the cha-cha and swing in 5th grade.

First Grade Pic

Tea with my sister Pam

After graduating I roamed about, spent some time in school, met a guy, fell in love, got married, (and still am married to that guy), had a baby boy who is now 31 and lives in NoCal. I started doing kundalini yoga in ‘72 and have never looked back. I am a Sikh and practice this dharma because it allows me freedom within the discipline of a spiritual path and keeps me growing and giving in ways I never expected.

Cutting the carob wedding cake

Two days into being a mom.

As for poetry, it’s been in the picture for a long time, just piddling around mostly until five years ago when I started writing…you know, going to workshops, pouring my guts out on the page, reading it to others who were doing the same. In 2003 I went back to school, finished up my B.A. and graduated in November, 2005 with a major in Creative Writing.

Graduation with husband, Hari Bhajan Singh & son, Sat Sangeet

I continue to go to workshops, study with a fantastic mentor here in L.A. (Sarah Maclay!!) and enjoy all forms of poetry community from a buddy in Boston to a group of four women who meet once a month, to my weekly poetry group with Sarah, to heading out to the Dodge Poetry Festival every two years and the 10,000 folks who show up there.

with Lucille Clifton at Squaw Valley in 2003

I am every grateful to those who have guided me and encouraged me to follow my passion–first and foremost my spiritual teacher, Yogi Bhajan, who has passed on, but not out of my life. Secondly to my husband for always taking my hand and thirdly to my fellow travelers on the path of the peaceful heart. And finally to the spirit of Sat Nam (truth is our identity) that brings us all together as one global family.