Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s CashApp account (ChristopherLuna9).
Amber Marie is a writer, maker, and performing artist who thrives at the intersection of these art forms. She both curates and designs original fashion and art for her traveling dark bohemian shop, The Beatnik Bazaar. She has designed and published books of poetry and short fiction, busked typewriter poetry for years, and continues to push the boundaries of performance art and written word. She seeks to get poetry “off the page” through experimentation and play.
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com or visit
to register to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
I was very moved by what Miranda Martin had to say about her experience at Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic, so I asked her to send it to me. Especially now. it is crucial for like-minded people to gather in a safe public space. We all need to be seen and heard. It is community members like Miranda who keep Ghost Town Poetry fun, relevant, essnetial. Here is what Miranda had to say:
“I first learned of Ghost Town because I happened to walk into Art at the Cave during Ghost Town Volume 3’s book launch. (It was only my second time into the Cave – what serendipitous timing). I had made a promise to myself to seek out more community events after finding myself in a really dark place post November 4 – as many of us did. So, when Chris told me there would be a milestone open mic – the 20th anniversary open mic – I decided to check it out.
As I sat in the audience, not knowing a soul, I felt wrapped in the love overflowing in that room. Observing this group of people loving each other fiercely and with such passion; accepting and encouraging one another as they were vulnerable and brave – I knew I would be back.
Hearing the beautiful words from others sparked something inside me, and I began writing poetry again. And that overwhelming sense of comfort and encouragement you all provide gave me the courage to read much sooner than I ever thought I would – not only once, but twice.
So thank you all for being exactly who you are, and for welcoming me with open arms.”
I also might appreciate this rough draft poem I wrote about this experience:
“The thought of putting these words into paper loomed over me
a dark, guilt-ridden shadow
The more I put the task off
the more the pressure built
The more the pressure built
the more I couldn’t bring myself to complete the task
$5 Suggested donation No one will be turned away for lack of funds
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s CashApp account (ChristopherLuna9).
Brian Stephen Ellis is the author of five collections of poetry and one collection of short fiction. His most recent collection of poems, Against Common Sense, is a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. He is also the recipient of the 2014 William Stafford War No More Award. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com or visit
to register to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s PayPal account (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
Morgan Paige is a poet, visual artist and entrepreneur living in the woods in so-called Washington State. Her recently self-published book of memoir poetry, Blue Morpho, details her journey to Costa Rica in 2018 to work with Ayahuasca to gain self knowledge while understanding how to transmute past trauma into acceptance and love.
In 2020, Paige joined Christopher Luna as co-host for Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic, happening every second Thursday at Art at the Cave in downtown Vancouver, WA. Ghost Town Poetry celebrated 20 years in November 2024.
Paige launched a retreat center in summer 2024 on the river in Kalama, WA centered around nature and creative community, hosting wellness retreats and family gatherings in spring/summer and an artist residency in the fall/winter months.
Follow her poetry @morganpaigepoetry and business @woodenbridgeretreats & Bridgekeepers.community
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com or visit
to register to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
UPDATED Statement on Healthy Spaces from Art at the Cave: We want to provide a healthy space to enjoy art. We have been practicing safety precautions such as regular cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing. As a result of the removal of the mask mandate effective March 12, 2022, we will no longer require the wearing of masks. We encourage you to continue to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable, and we will supply masks and hand sanitizer at the door. As social distancing has become a norm, please be mindful some will still need a bit of personal space while inside the gallery.
Here are some photos from the event:
Morgan shares poems from Blue Morpho
Robin Crocker
Robin Crocker reads his poetry
Ghost Town Poetry regular Matthew Eiford-Schroeder shares some cowboy poetry with the crowd
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s PayPal account (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
This month’s featured reader has been attending Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic since the series was founded by Christopher Luna in November 2004. According to Jim Martin, “I was born here, in downtown Vancouver, on September 8, 1938. I’ve traveled around the world in various ways, but have always known that Vancouver is, for me, Home.
“In my travels through school, home, Clark County, and the World’s Oceans, my original world view of people, acquired at age nine, has been constantly affirmed: In large measure, we are all People, just People. That helped me to not become distracted by wealth or image, and freed me to spend a good part of my life thinking about Life, especially Human Life vs. All Other Species’ Life. A long journey, but it is paying off, even today, when we are governed by people who have neither the skills, nor an appreciation for the Writers of the Constitution’s concern that we might not increase in our ability to think clearly. Today, around the World, there is a large volume of people who are, in their own ways, moving back to knowing their neighbors, working together with all who wish to build a better World.
“During my working years, when I wasn’t tracing the paths, dinners, and behaviors of animals like crabs and snails, I also worked many hours each week helping K-12 teachers to become comfortable with teaching science. During that time, I discovered some wonderful ‘Happy Places’ where students, on their own, would find exciting questions to follow up on in inquiries they designed themselves. And to drift into thoughts about the lives and activities they discovered in those places.”
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com or visit
to register to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
UPDATED Statement on Healthy Spaces from Art at the Cave: We want to provide a healthy space to enjoy art. We have been practicing safety precautions such as regular cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing. As a result of the removal of the mask mandate effective March 12, 2022, we will no longer require the wearing of masks. We encourage you to continue to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable, and we will supply masks and hand sanitizer at the door. As social distancing has become a norm, please be mindful some will still need a bit of personal space while inside the gallery.
In the interest of everyone’s safety, Art At The Cave, featured reader Victor Griggs, and I have decided to cancel tonight’s event. Stay tuned for information about when Victor’s reading will be rescheduled. My hope is to invite Victor to participate in a double feature with one of our upcoming featured readers. Double features are fun.
While we’re waiting, why not purchase a copy of Victor’s book Rolling Through Life
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s PayPal account (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
According to Victor Griggs, “I am from the Pacific Northwest. I always love writing but I really started taking seriously during The pandemic. Never give up on your dreams. For more information about me and my work please visit futurelegs.net.”
Book description from Victor’s website: Rolling Through Life chronicles Victor Griggs’ reflections from 2019-2021, set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the solitude of quarantine, intensified by his personal challenges with cerebral palsy, Victor immersed himself in the details, stories, and thoughts he lived with each day. This short collection of poetry and prose is a tribute to his resilience and introspection during those times of isolation.
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com. UPDATED Statement on Healthy Spaces from Art at the Cave: We want to provide a healthy space to enjoy art. We have been practicing safety precautions such as regular cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing. As a result of the removal of the mask mandate effective March 12, 2022, we will no longer require the wearing of masks. We encourage you to continue to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable, and we will supply masks and hand sanitizer at the door. As social distancing has become a norm, please be mindful some will still need a bit of personal space while inside the gallery.
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s PayPal account (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
Allie Marini is a Florida woman, cross-genre writer, visual artist, maker, and tarot reader. She runs Creepy Girl Trap PDX, where she dresses goths & slings cards. Find her online: @creepygirltrap.pdx / www.alliemarini.com / www.creepygirltrap.com
Brennan DeFrisco is a poet, teaching artist, voice actor, and arts coordinator from the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s been a National Poetry Slam finalist, a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee, and likes to spend time drinking coffee with Allie & their cat, Bitsy.
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
UPDATED Statement on Healthy Spaces from Art at the Cave: We want to provide a healthy space to enjoy art. We have been practicing safety precautions such as regular cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing. As a result of the removal of the mask mandate effective March 12, 2022, we will no longer require the wearing of masks. We encourage you to continue to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable, and we will supply masks and hand sanitizer at the door. As social distancing has become a norm, please be mindful some will still need a bit of personal space while inside the gallery.
$5 Suggested donation No one will be turned away for lack of funds
Donations can be made in person or through Christopher Luna’s PayPal account (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
Debra Elisa (Wöhrmann) was born in the Northwest and thanks the mountains and rivers, salmon and her backyard garden for their inspiration. Her collection, You Can Call It Beautiful, debuted last year, and she seeks a home for a coming-of-age novel-in-verse. She leads Poetry Play workshops and has worked with refugees as a Peace Corp Volunteer in the Philippines. She loves travel of all sorts. She believes stories save lives. She says we need poetry now as much as ever—and anyone can be a poet. www.debraelisa.com
“Debra Elisa’s poems in You Can Call It Beautiful show us that even in a time of existential threats to the ecosphere—of meaningless sound bites and islands of plastic—the poet’s job is to find words that refine our vision and thaw our fortified hearts.” Kathryn Hunt, author of Long Way Through Ruin and Seed Wheel
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
The Ghost Town Poetry community respectfully encourages you to support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, provided a home for the reading series from 2015-2020. Stop by their new location at 900 Washington, Suite 130 Vancouver, WA 98660: https://nichewinebar.com.
UPDATED Statement on Healthy Spaces from Art at the Cave: We want to provide a healthy space to enjoy art. We have been practicing safety precautions such as regular cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing. As a result of the removal of the mask mandate effective March 12, 2022, we will no longer require the wearing of masks. We encourage you to continue to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable, and we will supply masks and hand sanitizer at the door. As social distancing has become a norm, please be mindful some will still need a bit of personal space while inside the gallery.
My heart is full. I am deeply moved and grateful to everyone who attended our 20th Anniversary Reading. Thank you for all the love you showed me, Morgan Paige, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, and Art At The Cave. There is no way that a reading can remain fun, exciting, enriching, and a safe space for all without the participation of every reader, friend, and listener. I am very blessed.
Here are some photos from the event. If you took photos or video, please send them via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
Next I will be putting together packages for our contributors and Kickstarter supporters, having taken the reins from Morgan because she will soon be giving birth. At the reading, Morgan announced that she wants Toni and I to be the child’s Poetry Godmother and Godfather. We are honored to accept.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic emcee Morgan Paige by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Susan Dingle applauds by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Toni Lumbrazo Luna and Christopher Luna caught mid-gesture by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Ghos tTown Poetry Open Mic co-host (2007-2020) and Printed Matter Vancouver founder Toni Lumbrazo Luna: photograph by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle, Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic host Morgan Paige, and past featured reader Joann Renee Boswell: photograph by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Joe Poulton, Susan Dingle, Toni Lumbrazo Luna and Christopher Luna by Morgan Paige
Matthew Eiford-Schroeder by Morgan Paige
Moregan Paige, Christopher Luna, and Toni Lumbrazo Luna
Christopher and Toni kick things off by Morgan Paige
The opening moments of our four-hour anniversary reading captured by co-host Morgan Paige
Tom Kniffin by Morgan Paige
Al Haley by Morgan Paige
Alex Vigue by Morgan Paige
Armin Tolentino by Morgan Paige
Thanks to Morgan for picking up this cake!
Christopher Luna and Leah Jackson, whose Angst Gallery was Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic’s home from 2015-2020 Photo by Morgan Paige
Leah Jackson and Christopher Luna by Morgan Paige
Christopher Luna and Linda McCarty by Morgan Paige
Christopher Luna gestures at someone by Morgan Paige
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic founder Christopher Luna by Morgan Paige
Christopher Luna with clipboard by Morgan Paige
Eric Fair-Layman (aka Papasquatch) and Christopher Luna by Morgan Paige
Erin Iwata by Morgan Paige
Grace Valentine by Morgan Paige
Jim Martin and Christopher Luna by Morgan Paige
Jim Martin, who has attended Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic since our very first reading in November 2004 receives a warm introduction from Christopher Luna
Joann Renee Boswell by Morgan Paige
Joann Renee Boswell eads her poetry to the crowd by Morgan Paige
Kristin Bulger and Galen by Morgan Paige
Kyle David Congdon reads as Tony Blaine looks on by Morgan Paige
Lori Loranger by Morgan Paige
Lori Loranger by Morgan Paige
Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle shares her poetry
Toni and Christopher by Madilynn Klein
Jim Martin
Armin Tolentino reads a poem
Morgan introduces Christopher by Ian Caton
Joe Poulton, Susan Dingle, Toni and Christopher by Ian Caton
Christopher trying to keep it together as Morgan praises him by Ian Caton
Morgan gestures as Christopher, Linda McCarty, Colin Sandberg, and Laneta Johnson-Meeker look on by Ian Caton
Morgan, Christopher, and Linda by Ian Caton
Poets Laureate Selfie: Armin Tolentino, Christopher Luna, and Susan Dingle
Susan, Toni, and Christopher by Ian Caton
Toni and Christopher by Joann Renee Boswell
Toni and Christopher share a laugh with our Ghost Town Poetry family by Joann Renee Boswell
Christopher Luna founded Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic in November 2004. The reading began at Ice Cream Renaissance before moving to Cover to Cover Books, Angst Gallery, and Art At The Cave, where it has taken place since 2022.
On Friday, November 8, Art At The Cave will host a book launch party for Ghost Town Poetry Volume Three, featuring poetry from throughout the twenty-year history of the series. Join us at Art At The Cave from 4-7 to purchase a copy of the new book, edited by Christopher Luna, Morgan Paige, and Toni Lumbrazo Luna, who co-hosted the reading from 2007-2020. The book will cost $20. Commemorative T-shirts and stickers will also be available for sale.
Sticker design by Morgan Paige featuring self portrait by Christopher Luna
Christopher, Toni, and Morgan would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Kickstarter campaign as well as all the poets who submitted their work. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to Anne John for her generous donation to the campaign as well as for allowing us to hold the open mic in her space every month. We could not think of a more beautiful venue in which to foster community and hear great poetry. We are also grateful to Mel Sanders of Cover to Cover Books and Leah Jackson of Angst Gallery and Niche Wine Bar for making their spaces available to our community for so many years.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has attended Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic over the past two decades. We could not have enjoyed our raucous, three-hour, anti-racist, anti-fascist, pro-science, LGBTQ+ friendly, all ages, and uncensored poetry reading without your consistent embodiment of those principles and your willingness to hold the space for everyone who was brave enough to step to the mic.
Please return to Art At The Cave on November 14 for our 20th Anniversary reading featuring Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle:
Send an email to printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter featuring news and events for poets in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR and surrounding areas.
PRINTED MATTER VANCOUVER 