Mark States founded Poetry Express in 2002. While held at various venues throughout Berkeley (and one time in Oakland), Poetry Express was (and aspires to be in the future) a staple of the Bay Area literary scene. The Poetry Express Vision: To be a place where more experienced poets mingle with local residents, inspiring them to take up pen & express themselves artistically. A place where the wanderer is free to share a personal story or political thought, a place to share without fear of argument or discouragement.