Brently Johnson teaches literature and writing at Pacific University outside Portland, Oregon. His work has been published in Appalachian Journal, RiverTeeth, Ascent, Slow Trains Literary Journal, Grey’s Sporting Journal, and MidWestern Review. He lives in Hillsboro, Oregon, with his wife and their two sons.

In answer to our question of why he writes, Brently responded:

“Right now, what keeps me moving forward with my writing, ironically, is the very thing that holds me back from it the most: my family. Watching my son squat over a mass of tiny ants crawling in and out of a sidewalk crack continually reminds me of my obligation as a poet, as a human being, to pay attention. Writing is my best way of keeping up with the wonder of it all.”

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