Author's Talk: In Conversation with Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe

periódicos de ayer is a lover’s archive. a series of poems documenting the art of loving, letting go, and tending to the heart. written over a span of four years, danyeli bares her wounds in pieces emerging from complete vulnerability, ache, and joy.  the ins and outs of romantic partnership have heavily influenced her writing and her story.    should these poems continue to be a testament that love is a choice we are entitled to make as often as we seem fit. and although we risk the possibility of hurt, loving openly is the most glorious gift we could ever offer ourselves.

About the Author:   Danyeli (pronounced Dan-Jelly) is a Bronx-raised, Afro-Dominican poet and spoken word performer, who uses her voice to raise awareness around issues of race, gender, and migration. She was one of four members of the first Bronx-based all latinx poetry slam team, project x, with whom she competed at Northeast Regional Slam Competition. Her poetry has traveled as far as Aruba's "Poetry is an Island" festival, and she has been featured by People En Espanol, Bronx Museum of Arts, and Crooked Media to name a few. Danyeli is also the co-host of loose accents, a latinx podcast that highlights the immigrant experiences of the East and West coast.  In addition to performing, Danyeli has been an avid advocate for immigrant rights, receiving the 2010 New York State Dream Activist Award from New York Mayor DiBlasio. Her dedication also led her to become a candidate of the Vera Fellowship for Social Justice, DREAM Fellowship, and Immigrant Justice Fellowship. After finishing her third fellowship in August 2018, she moved to South Los Angeles where she currently resides and works full-time as an immigration and family law paralegal.