Primarily a poet and performance poet, I coined the term, "Bluetry" to define my art. Bluetry grew out of people approaching me after readings to either compliment me or complain my poems were too sad. I also write, paint, crochet, draw and make jewelry. My drive to write, create and share, defines my art. I write because I have no choice. My performances are an extension of my art, evolving like a child develops in the womb and his mother gives birth to him. Always on the edge, back in the early 90's, I performed narrative poetry and was often chastised by other poets who claimed my work was not poetry. Now, many spout narrative rhyme, and some stick to form and write about nature and God. I'm off to something different, performing poetry to blues music. Taking artistic risks defines me!

Product Description Joy Leftow’s poems are about life, flowing easily from her astute observations of her somewhat non-traditional experiences. Being a social worker, a single parent, and a natural at reading people all prepared her to pursue her passion for writing. Her work is refreshingly unique in that Joy doesn’t write traditional rhyme and meter. Her poetry is lyrical narrative, and each poem is a separate story. Joy’s writing voice is powerful. Her provocative style may shock you, amaze you, or enthrall you, but it certainly won't bore you. Joy does what few poets can accomplish. She evokes strong feelings with her penetrating insights into the human condition. Joy has been compared to post-modernists Ginsberg and Sylvia Plath and more recently Hemingway. Review If you can handle the depth of soul-transforming emotions then this hard, sensitive book is for you. ---- willard gellis, author & professor Awesome words and imagery; I could feel and taste each poem. ---- Rain Pryor, “Fried Chicken & Latkes A One Woman Experience” In graceful verse, Joy Leftow recalls eye-opening situations & times that altered lives, then forward to new understanding. ---- THADDEUS RUTKOWSKI, author, “Tetched” About the Author I write about people, who they are, and their lifestyles ... then I share my observations. I tell it like it is. My style is - in your face reality combined with a unique perspective due to my background. I’m white Jewish and grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan. I come from extremely humble beginnings combined with a hard lifestyle. Later, striving for survival, I managed to get into Columbia under the Higher Education Opportunity Program, got my BA there, and later my Masters in social work. This solidified my already instinctual propensity to understand what motivated people. In the early nineties, when I hit the NYC poetry scene, some folk accused me of being post modernist, some thanked me for my heartfelt style, and others mimicked me at open venues. When I applied for the graduate writing program, I had to use prose because my poetry was criticized for its lack of form so during my grad-studies I took the opportunity to study writing poetry in form. And about being post-modernist, I only began to read other post-modernists after I’d been accused of being one. Others say my prose is just on the harder and sharper sides of life. Writing has always been a profound experience for me. Since childhood, writing has imprinted itself on my soul. My writing ability is a mitzvah. I am the instrument, writing is my love, and the finished products are my offspring.