Born in Corvallis, Oregon Nov. 16 1937 of an actress mother (Estora Ricks) and a football scout dad (Hal W. Moe). Grew up mostly in Corvallis and Portland Oregon, Seattle and Oakland. Had dyslexia (balanced brain, language being always translated through the dream-side). Served in the U.S. Navy and attended school on Korean War benefits.
Studied poetry (with Theodore Roethke, Melvin La Follet, Philip Whalen, Herb Nelson, Bernard Malamud and others) as well as Philosophy and Science. Participated in demonstrations against compulsory ROTC. After a series of adventures and misadventures, wound up in Cuba shortly after the revolution, met cartoonist Bob Smith on The Isle of Pines (the model for R. L. Stevenson’s Treasure Island) and traveled with him to San Francisco.
While in San Francisco, met the visionary oil painter, Patricia Ross. Married Patricia and lived with her for 12 years in San Francisco, where his daughter, Katherine, was born. Published in Now Now, Smoking Mirror and many other magazines. In 1968 started Love Lights, The Erotic Poetry/Art Newspaper of San Francisco – at that time the largest poetry publication in the world – which he made and edited for 11 years. Curated two art galleries. Separated from Patricia in 1977.
Coordinated The San Francisco Poetry Festival in 1978. Met Frances T. Slack, editor of Beatitude Book Press, who published several books of Moe’s poetry, including “Ozone Allah,” “The Logic Of Snowflakes,” and “Quarks Heart.” Traveled in Southeast Asia for eight months, where “Immortal Amebas Jigsawpuzzle Electron Gambling Hong Kong – The Cup Lands On The Saucer” was published (in Bangkok) by the Thai Watana Ranch Press. Has had over 30 books of poetry published, including “Muse News,” published by City Lights in San Francisco in 1988.
Now lives in Berkeley, California. Serves as editor and publisher of Beatitude Press, Embassy Hall Press, and Deserted X Press; and as editor of the Berkeley Review of Books. Has recently published a book of philosophy (“How To Be God Now”) and two books of poetry (“Always Home” and “Birth To Birth”). Is working on a new book about a real and imaginary journey called “Royal Poetopia and The Wild Law Civilization.” Gives poetry readings in Berkeley and San Francisco, and philosophy lectures at the Fellowship of Humanity in Oakland, California. Hosts a philosophy group called “The Living Philosophers” at the North Berkeley Senior Center.
