D.L. Lang

D.L. Lang (born June 26, 1983, Bad Hersfeld, Germany[2]) is an American poet. She has published twelve[8] full-length books of poetry,[3][9] and served as the Poet Laureate of Vallejo, California.[10][11][3]

D.L. Lang
Born
Diana Kettle [1][2]

(1983-06-26) June 26, 1983[2]
Bad Hersfeld, Germany[2][3]
Alma materUniversity of Oklahoma[2]
OccupationPoet
TitlePoet laureate of Vallejo, California
Term2017-2019[4]
PredecessorGenea Brice [4]
SuccessorJeremy Snyder [5]
Spouse(s)Timothy[1]
Writing career
Pen nameD.L. Lang [6]
Genrepoetry
Websitepoetryebook.com [7]

Early life

Diana L. Lang (née Kettle)[1][6][12] was born in Bad Hersfeld, Germany[2][3] on June 26, 1983[2] to William and Petra Kettle.[12][2] As a result of growing up in a military family as a child Lang lived in Texas, Louisiana, and Enid, Oklahoma.[12] Lang became a pacifist, leaning left politically, at age 12.[13] Lang graduated from Enid High School in 2001,[1][12] studied at Northern Oklahoma College,[14] and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from the University of Oklahoma.[1] After college she moved to California and married Timothy Lang in 2006,[13][3] living in San Rafael, California prior to moving to Vallejo.[15][13]

Film and television

While in college Lang worked as a video editor at television station KXOK-LD,[16] as webmaster for University of Oklahoma student radio station the Wire,[17] and as a band promoter for Grey from Enid, Oklahoma.[13][16] She also created documentary films and music videos, including Liquid Wind, a kiteboarding film by director Charles Maupin that features an interview with Mike Morgan,[18] which was broadcast on Oklahoma PBS affiliate OETA,[19] and The Hebrew Project,[2] a Hebrew language film that featured University of Oklahoma professors Ori Kritz and Norman Stillman, which was broadcast on The Jewish Channel.[20]

Poetry

Lang began writing poetry as a child, first attempting to write song lyrics.[13] She cites The Beatles,[13] Pete Seeger, Allen Ginsberg, Jim Morrison, and Bob Dylan as influences.[3] In addition to writing about her life,[13] Lang writes on themes of Judaism,[21] social justice,[13] political protest,[22] feminism,[22] anti-capitalism,[21] anti-racism[21] and pacifism.[21][22] Her poems have been published in the Benicia Herald,[23] The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles,[24] A Poet's Siddur: Friday Evening Liturgy Through the Eyes of Poets,[25] the Benicia First Tuesday Poets anthology Light & Shadow,[26] the Marin Poetry Center Anthology, Vol 21,[13] Colossus: Home,[27] and on ReformJudaism.org.[28]

D.L. Lang began performing her poetry in 2015.[13] She was appointed Poet Laureate of Vallejo, California in September 2017 and served through December 2019.[29][30] There she edited the poetry anthology Verses, Voices & Visions of Vallejo.[13] As poet laureate Lang performed 141 times in 18 different cities.[31] Lang gave the invocation[32] at the 2019 Vallejo Women's March.[33] During her tenure she also performed her poetry at many local events, including Vallejo Unites Against Hatred,[34] Unity Day,[35] International Peace Day [36] and Why Poetry Matters.[37] Lang also gave a presentation on Emma Lazarus and Alicia Ostriker for AAUW Voices of Change.[38] Lang also judged seven contests [31] including the county Poetry Out Loud high school recitation competition [39] and county library teen writing competition.[40] She performed regularly at Poetry by the Bay,[41] and like her predecessor,[42] she led the Poetry in Notion poetry circle,[41] and hosted annual events for National Poetry Month.[3] Lang was preceded as Vallejo's poet laureate by Genea Brice,[4] and succeeded by Jeremy Snyder, host of Poetry by the Bay.[43] In 2020 she was a featured act at the Solano County Virtual Fair.[44]

Awards
  • 3rd place in Poems of Political Protest contest, City Limits Publishing (2020)[45]

Works

Poetry Collections
  • Tea and Sprockets 2011. ISBN 9781467900379
  • Abundant Sparks and Personal Archeology 2013. ISBN 9781511726665
  • Look, Ma! No Hands! 2015. ISBN 9781511726504
  • Poet Loiterer 2016. ISBN 9781518713248
  • Id Biscuits 2016. ISBN 9781530453054
  • Barefoot in the Sanctuary 2016. ISBN 9781536820263
  • Armor Against the Dawn 2016. ISBN 9781540704993
  • Dragonfly Tomorrows and Dog-eared Yesterdays 2017. ISBN 9781548437725
  • Resting on my Laurels 2018. ISBN 9781983939778
  • The Cafe of Dreams 2018. ISBN 9781727159806
  • Midnight Strike 2019. ISBN 9781072096016 [8]
  • This Festival of Dreams 2020. ISBN 9798642242759

Spoken Word Albums
  • Happy Accidents 2015.[8]

Editor
  • Verses, Voices & Visions of Vallejo 2019. ISBN 9781724462633

Contributor
  • A Poet's Siddur: Friday Evening Liturgy Through the Eyes of Poets Ain't Got No Press. 2017. ISBN 9780982058480
  • Light & Shadow Benicia Literary Arts. 2018. ISBN 9780970373762
  • Marin Poetry Center Anthology, Vol. 21 Marin Poetry Center. 2018. ISBN 9780988969421
  • Verses, Voices & Visions of Vallejo 2019. ISBN 9781724462633
  • Colossus: Home: An Anthology of Lives in and out of Place Colossus Press. 2020. ISBN 9781735252643
  • Introspective BloodRedStar Publications. 2020. ISBN 9798687549165
  • The Alien Buddha Wears a Black Bandanna Alien Buddha Press. 2020. ISBN 9798693006782
  • Black Lives Matter: Poems for a New World Civic Leicester. 2020. ISBN 9781916459359
  • Happy Fukkadays 2 U from the Alien Buddha Alien Buddha Press. 2020. ISBN 9798696227269
  • Poems of Political Protest City Limits Publishing. 2020. ISBN 9781954403000
  • Musings During a Time of Pandemic: A World Anthology of Poems on COVID-19 Kistrech Theatre International. 2020. ISBN 9789966955951
  • Poetry: The Best of 2020 Inner Child Press. 2020. ISBN 9781952081378
  • From the Soil: A Hometown Anthology Exeter Publishing. 2020. ISBN 9798583850617
  • Birth Lifespan Vol. 1 Pure Slush Books. 2021. ISBN 9781922427205

Poetry Publications
  • Lang, D.L., "Prayer for Shomerim," Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, February 18, 2015[24]
  • Lang, D.L., “Sheltering in Places,” Benicia Herald, September 23, 2016[46]
  • Lang, D.L., “Worldly Windows,” Benicia Herald, November 4, 2016 [47]
  • Lang, D.L., “Stay,” Benicia Herald, December 3, 2016 [48]
  • Lang, D.L., “Train Whistle Polka,” Benicia Herald, December 15, 2017 [49]
  • Lang, D.L., “Benicia Bound,” Benicia Herald, January 5, 2018 [50]
  • Lang, D.L., “Love Poetry Capital Blockade,” Benicia Herald, February 23, 2018 [51]
  • Lang, D.L., “How to Swim through a Tornado,” Benicia Herald, June 15, 2018 [52]
  • Lang, D.L., “The Woodpecker’s Beat,” Benicia Herald, September 7, 2018 [53]
  • Lang, D.L., "Turning: A Poem for Yom Kippur," Reformjudaism.org, September 17, 2018[28]
  • Lang, D.L., "49 Lights," Vallejo Times Herald, pg. A9, March 19, 2019
  • Lang, D.L., "No Other Planet," Poetry Expressed Vol. 5, Spring 2020[54]
  • Lang, D.L., "One Thousand Per Day," Frost Meadow Review, April 1, 2020[55]
  • Lang, D.L., “What Remains is Love,” Benicia Herald, pg A9, April 24, 2020
  • Lang, D.L., “July 4th, 2020,” Benicia Herald, pg A3, July 26, 2020
  • Lang, D.L., “Pandemic Mismanagement,” Benicia Herald, pg A3, September 30, 2020

Articles & Essays
  • Lang, Diana L., "Enid's Ties to Railroad History," Enid News & Eagle, October 16, 2019[56]
  • "A Collective Experience to Learn" Global Pandemic Crisis: A Series of Literary Essays on Quarantine Transcendent Zero Press. 2020. ISBN 9781946460257

See also

References
  1. Enid Public School Foundation (2016). Enid High School Alumni Directory 2016. PCI. p. A213.
  2. "Diana Kettle". IMDb. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  3. "Feb 7 Arts and Entertainment: Poet Laureate enjoys first year". timesheraldonline.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  4. "Sept 5 Arts and Entertainment: Always something to Celebrate". timesheraldonline.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  5. "Jeremy Snyder is named Vallejo's 3rd Poet Laureate". Vallejo Times-Herald. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  6. "Diana Lang:Confused identity". timesheraldonline.com. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  7. "D.L. Lang: Poetry Time". Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  8. "Poets Laureate on Social Justice (Corte Madera Store)". Book Passage. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  9. "Celebrate National Poetry Month with local poets at reception". thereporter.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  10. "VAL-L-PoetBrice-0831". timesheraldonline.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  11. "The Week Ahead: Fairfield Reception to Mark National Poetry Month". dailyrepublic.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. "Going to the Extreme Documentary that involved Enid-area residents captures the spirit of Lake Hefner surfers". Enid News & Eagle. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004.
  13. Raskin-Zrihen, Rachel (October 20, 2019). "Vallejo's poet laureate joins social justice event". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  14. "Enid music video gets top award at film festival". Enid News & Eagle. May 3, 2003. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  15. Welte, Jim (September 5, 2009). "Jobless rate is lowest in state, but it may not tell the whole story". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  16. Barron, Robert (April 21, 2003). "Local band highlighted at film festival". Enid News & Eagle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  17. Ganus, Sara (April 8, 2004). "Wire Returns to Internet". Oklahoma Daily. Archived from the original on December 21, 2004. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  18. "Festival highlights OU students' films. Two filmmakers have captured windsurfing at Lake Hefner". OU Daily. Archived from the original on December 17, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  19. "Kite and Windsurfing Film to Air". The Oklahoman. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  20. "The Jewish Channel - The Hebrew Project". Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  21. "Poet Loiterer". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  22. "Midnight Strike by D.L. Lang". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  23. "D.L. Lang". beniciaheraldonline.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  24. "Prayer for Shomerim – Jewish Journal". jewishjournal.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  25. "poetrysuperhighway.com/agnp/a-poets-siddur-now-available/". poetrysuperhighway.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  26. "The A Cappella Handyman: Viggo & the New Anthology". beniciaheraldonline.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  27. "Colossus Home Contributors". Colossus Press. Colossus Press. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  28. "Turning: A Poem for Yom Kippur". reformjudaism.org. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  29. "Proclamation Honoring D.L. Lang for Her Service as Poet Laureate of Vallejo". City of Vallejo. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  30. "New poet laureate sought". Vallejo Times-Herald. September 17, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  31. Freedman, Richard (January 7, 2020). "New poet laureate puts heart into writing He's ready to start two-year term". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  32. "Vallejo to Celebrate Women's March on Saturday". Vallejo Times Herald. January 18, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  33. Raskin-Zrihen, Rachel (January 19, 2019). "Hundreds participate in Vallejo Women's March". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  34. Lees, Lucinda (November 6, 2018). "Vallejo Unites Against Hatred". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  35. "Vallejo's Unity Day Returns September 9". Vallejo Times Herald. August 21, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  36. Freedman, Richard (September 26, 2017). "Always Something to Celebrate". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  37. "Why Poetry Matters is theme of Solano foundation reception". Fairfield Daily Republic. April 20, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  38. Sestanovich, Nick (March 21, 2018). "3 poets laureate to celebrate 6 female poets in free library event". Benicia Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  39. Hicks, Bill (February 12, 2017). "Loud and Clear: Poetry event shows students at their lyrical best". Fairfield Daily Republic. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  40. Bell, Elizabeth (December 16, 2019). "Press Release: Solano County Library Teen Writing Contest Winners". Fairfield Daily Republic. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  41. "Fishbowl Poetry Open Mic Featuring D.L. Lang and Doreen Stock". Old Monterey. February 4, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  42. Sestanovich, Nick (April 8, 2016). "JFK Library in Vallejo will celebrate National Poetry Month". Benicia Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  43. "Vallejo choose 3rd poet laureate". Fairfield Daily Republic. December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  44. Freedman, Richard. "Solano County Fair Virtually ready". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  45. "Announcement of Winners: 1st CLP Writing Contest". City Limits Publishing. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  46. "Sheltering in Places". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  47. "Worldly Windows". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  48. "Stay". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  49. "Train Whistle Polka". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  50. "Benicia Bound". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  51. "Love Poetry Capital Blockade". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  52. "How to Swim Through a Tornado". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  53. "The Woodpecker's Beat". Benicia Herald online. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  54. "Poetry Expressed Vol 5". Poetry Expressed. Poetry Express. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  55. "Pandemic Poetry". Frost Meadow Review. Frost Meadow Review. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  56. Lang, Diana L. (October 16, 2019). "Enid's ties to railroad history". Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
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