Creative Writing
My obsession with art has always been expansive — I wanted to consume and create literature, music, film, theater, anything that felt like a human expression. I wanted to have my hands in every jar, thirsty for new ways to learn and think about life, politics, love, etc. In high school, I was mesmerized by spoken word poetry and wanted — so desperately — to be part of that world. I started going to open mics and poetry slams, began hosting my own events and found community in Chicago’s literary scene. I was also already running Hooligan Mag, so I was taking any chance I could get to review shows and gallery openings, while interviewing the artists, musicians and writers themselves. I carved my own way to do what I loved best: have meaningful conversations (and ask lots of questions). Writing, to me, has always been a way to explore unknown territory, whether it was through my philosophical, self-reflective poetry + prose or my narrative journalism.
Published poetry + creative essays
Some of my selected work has been featured here:
Open Door Series: Rivka Yeker & Chris Green - poet (2019)
I was asked by the Poetry Foundation to read at this event, despite me not being a professor. I had been very active in the Chicago poetry + open mic scene, hosting a lot of my own events and being connected with the community — they thought this was an influential enough role for me to take part in this series. I asked my best friend and poet Lora Mathis to fly in from San Diego and read alongside me.
Event Description:
The Open Door series presents work from Chicago’s new and emerging poets and highlights the area’s outstanding writing programs. Each hour-long event features readings by two Chicagoland writing program instructors and two of their current or recent students. This month’s reading features Rivka Yeker and their student Lora Mathis, and Chris Green and his student Christopher Watkins.
