John Allen Biography

My name is John Thomas Allen. I am 23 years old, from Albany, New York. I have lived here my entire life, apart from some travelling, and am currently a philosophy major in college. I work as one of three editors for 'Breath and Shadow', a publication geared toward disability culture. I work as a freelance tutor in poetry/literature for mentally ill/disabled students at the college I currently attend. These occupations are inspired not only because of financial concerns; if I had too much idle time (if that's possible?) , I'd probably drive myself bonzo reading experimental poetry 24/7. I have been writing poetry and short stories since the age of 14. My inspirations are poets like Cesar Vallejo, Franz Wright, and Jim Carroll.