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Live. Love. Leo.
"Live. Love. Leo." is a semi-biographical collection of 55 poems following a long journey of self-discovery and self-expression. These poems reflect thoughts, ideas, and observations on the ever-elusive pursuits of happiness; family; life; social (in)justices; political impacts; LGBTQAI2s+; and racism. The poetry is personal, playful, funny, painfully expressive, visually descriptive, and emotionally haunting. "Live. Love. Leo." honors Black people and anyone who may identify as LGBTQAI2s+. The book also contains original, custom artwork by local Portland artist Chris McMurry.
144 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2023
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 24, 2023
Judge Kemp, Live. Love. Leo., Words from Modern Times, Poems by Judge Kemp, 2023.
The joke is that an audience member at a poetry reading asked the poet: “Is that a real poem or did you just make that up?” Well, Judge Kemp’s are real poems that arose from his experience during the height of the COVID crisis. These are heartfelt verses that range from the depths of despair to the peak of joy and love, from the political to the deeply personal. Such lines as “There is no future when we ignore the past” and “Disruption corrupts silence” stick in the mind. Others like “silence loudly” or “lofty abyss” call up questions.
But this is much more than a book of poetry. While the writing is the heart of it, the spectacular full color imagery and graphic design that accompany the words is as much a part of the whole. Here is a work that is to be treasured both as a snapshot in time and an appeal to universal resilience.
The joke is that an audience member at a poetry reading asked the poet: “Is that a real poem or did you just make that up?” Well, Judge Kemp’s are real poems that arose from his experience during the height of the COVID crisis. These are heartfelt verses that range from the depths of despair to the peak of joy and love, from the political to the deeply personal. Such lines as “There is no future when we ignore the past” and “Disruption corrupts silence” stick in the mind. Others like “silence loudly” or “lofty abyss” call up questions.
But this is much more than a book of poetry. While the writing is the heart of it, the spectacular full color imagery and graphic design that accompany the words is as much a part of the whole. Here is a work that is to be treasured both as a snapshot in time and an appeal to universal resilience.
July 25, 2025
This collection completely took me by surprise. Live. Love. Leo. is not just a book of poetry, it is a personal reckoning, a celebration, and a call for understanding. Judge Kemp’s voice is powerful, grounded, and deeply human. There is something courageous about the way he writes — not to impress, but to reveal, to connect, and to heal.
The poems are rich with emotion and truth. Some felt like quiet whispers, others like a shout from the heart. Each one left a mark. The themes of identity, community, memory, and resilience are explored with grace and intensity. As a reader, I felt invited into a space that was both sacred and real.
The artwork by Chris McMurry adds so much depth to the experience. It gives the words more shape, more life. This book is beautiful on every level. I will be thinking about it for a long time. If you are searching for poetry that speaks with purpose and soul, this is it.
The poems are rich with emotion and truth. Some felt like quiet whispers, others like a shout from the heart. Each one left a mark. The themes of identity, community, memory, and resilience are explored with grace and intensity. As a reader, I felt invited into a space that was both sacred and real.
The artwork by Chris McMurry adds so much depth to the experience. It gives the words more shape, more life. This book is beautiful on every level. I will be thinking about it for a long time. If you are searching for poetry that speaks with purpose and soul, this is it.
July 25, 2025
Reading Live. Love. Leo. felt like sitting down with someone who has lived deeply, loved fiercely, and refused to stay silent. Judge Kemp’s poetry speaks with such clarity and purpose. Every line feels intentional and charged with emotion. It is impossible to read this collection without being moved.
The poems are filled with sharp imagery and lyrical honesty, painting a vivid picture of a life shaped by identity, loss, joy, and resistance. What really stands out is how Kemp brings both his personal story and broader cultural truths together in a way that is both intimate and universal. There is grief in these pages, but also healing and pride.
I also appreciated the inclusion of artwork. It gave the book an extra layer of depth and made the experience feel even more immersive. For anyone who values powerful storytelling, honest reflection, and the strength that comes from embracing who you are, this book is something special. I am grateful to have read it.
The poems are filled with sharp imagery and lyrical honesty, painting a vivid picture of a life shaped by identity, loss, joy, and resistance. What really stands out is how Kemp brings both his personal story and broader cultural truths together in a way that is both intimate and universal. There is grief in these pages, but also healing and pride.
I also appreciated the inclusion of artwork. It gave the book an extra layer of depth and made the experience feel even more immersive. For anyone who values powerful storytelling, honest reflection, and the strength that comes from embracing who you are, this book is something special. I am grateful to have read it.
July 25, 2025
Reading Live. Love. Leo. felt like sitting down with someone who has lived deeply, loved fiercely, and refused to stay silent. Judge Kemp’s poetry speaks with such clarity and purpose. Every line feels intentional and charged with emotion. It is impossible to read this collection without being moved.
The poems are filled with sharp imagery and lyrical honesty, painting a vivid picture of a life shaped by identity, loss, joy, and resistance. What really stands out is how Kemp brings both his personal story and broader cultural truths together in a way that is both intimate and universal. There is grief in these pages, but also healing and pride.
I also appreciated the inclusion of artwork. It gave the book an extra layer of depth and made the experience feel even more immersive. For anyone who values powerful storytelling, honest reflection, and the strength that comes from embracing who you are, this book is something special. I am grateful to have read it.
The poems are filled with sharp imagery and lyrical honesty, painting a vivid picture of a life shaped by identity, loss, joy, and resistance. What really stands out is how Kemp brings both his personal story and broader cultural truths together in a way that is both intimate and universal. There is grief in these pages, but also healing and pride.
I also appreciated the inclusion of artwork. It gave the book an extra layer of depth and made the experience feel even more immersive. For anyone who values powerful storytelling, honest reflection, and the strength that comes from embracing who you are, this book is something special. I am grateful to have read it.
July 25, 2025
Live. Love. Leo. is more than just a poetry collection. It is an emotional journey through love, identity, grief, and hope. Judge Kemp writes with raw, unflinching honesty that made me stop more than once just to breathe in the weight of his words. Each poem feels like a doorway into his life, capturing the depth and complexity of being a Black gay man in a world that often refuses to understand.
What moved me most was the way he balances pain with power. There is no hiding from the reality of injustice, but there is also so much light. Kemp lifts up his community, honors his truth, and invites the reader into moments that are both personal and universal. The artwork by Chris McMurry brings another layer of meaning and emotion, making the experience even more powerful.
This book left me feeling seen, inspired, and reflective. It speaks to those who know what it means to struggle and to those who are learning how to understand. It is honest, bold, and beautiful. A must-read for anyone who values truth, resilience, and the transformative power of poetry.
What moved me most was the way he balances pain with power. There is no hiding from the reality of injustice, but there is also so much light. Kemp lifts up his community, honors his truth, and invites the reader into moments that are both personal and universal. The artwork by Chris McMurry brings another layer of meaning and emotion, making the experience even more powerful.
This book left me feeling seen, inspired, and reflective. It speaks to those who know what it means to struggle and to those who are learning how to understand. It is honest, bold, and beautiful. A must-read for anyone who values truth, resilience, and the transformative power of poetry.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews