Launch of Rene Livingston-DeTienne's Final Poetry Collection Scheduled for Sunday

According to Dannee, the collection chronicles the journey from life to death. Rene, who published under the name R.B. Simons, was involved in multiple fields, including peer support, harm reduction advocacy, and social justice. She also held the position of managing editor for Harper's Review. Dannee noted that Rene was a prolific writer, with approximately 50 published poems in various journals, and many awards for her work.

Rene began her serious poetry journey later in life, starting in 2018 at Madison College. After performing at a poetry slam, she gained encouragement from those around her to pursue publishing. Her performance led to her first successful publication, launching a career that included three books within five years: "The Good Truth" (2021), "Not Just the Fire" (2023), and now, "Bird, Bone, Blood."

The themes in Rene's poetry often revolved around identity, transformation, and the essence of personal experience. Dannee described her work as focusing on her authentic self and often illustrating the complexities of being mixed race, Black, queer, fat, disabled, and female in a society that often overlooks such identities. "Bird, Bone, Blood" is framed as both memoir and manifesto, exploring the reconciliation of one's multiple identities amidst daily struggles.

The title represents a journey of growth: the "bird" symbolizes infancy and exploration; "bone" signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood, marked by trauma and resilience; and "blood" embodies the acceptance of one's past and the development of a true sense of self. The collection also examines death, reflecting Rene's experiences with chronic illness from an early age and her awareness of life's fragility.

The collection opens with a prologue poem, "Augury," and features deeply personal reflections on mortality. After Rene's passing, Dannee took on the responsibility of finalizing the book, including writing its foreword, a task that took months to ensure it honored Rene's legacy.

The publisher, Milk & Cake Press, helped bring the collection to fruition after a lengthy process. Dannee expressed excitement about the upcoming launch event, which will not be a traditional reading. T.S. Banks, a collaborator of Rene's, will produce the event, transforming it into a celebratory production with 13 performers contributing. In addition to the book, prints of Rene's artwork will be available for purchase at the launch, highlighting her diverse artistic talents.