Amritpal Singh Arora : part five

How does a poem begin?

For me, a poem typically begins with an idea, a memory, a simple observation or certain tension. Often these present themselves as an opening line or refrain. I typically allow myself to mull this over for a few days and before I put pen to paper. My aim, then, is to capture the feeling this initial idea has elicited in me and try to put this into words.

Amritpal Singh Arora : part four

What other poetry books have you been reading lately?

I’m currently reading a few great books by some wonderful Canadian poets. They include Heft by Doyali Islam, Port of being by Shazia Hafiz Ramji,  Ceremony of Touching by Karen Shklanka and a great debut by Jasmin Kaur titled When you ask me where I’m going. 

Amritpal Singh Arora : part three

How does your work first enter the world? Do you have a social group or writers group that you work ideas and poems with?

Although I started on my own, I have made a conscious effort to try to become part of the local community. It’s helpful that most writers are extremely welcoming and encouraging. I have made an effort to attend workshops, readings etc. I typically try out new material at open mics or will post snippets of poems on social media. 

Amritpal Singh Arora : part one

Amritpal Singh Arora is a poet and writer of medical nonfiction, working on his first poetry collection. He is a family physician in Burnaby, British Columbia. His work has previously appeared in the Canadian Family Physician and Train: a poetry journal blog.

Photo credit - Pardeep Singh Photography

What are you working on?

I’m currently working on my first collection of poetry. The poems in this collection deal with the intersection of themes of grief, domestic violence, medicine and navigating the world as a racialized person. I’m hoping to begin querying within the next year.