How important is music to your poetry?
As a songwriter, the rhythm and syncopation of words has always been very important to me. I often map out the syllabic hits of the lyrics as I write a melody; this is something that has informed my poetic practice directly. In poetry, I find myself counting syllables and paying a lot of attention to those internal rhythms; when I get the right words to hit and stick, I am stoked.
What do you feel poetry can accomplish that other forms can’t?
Poetry has offered me an interesting freedom from the limitations of songwriting. For one thing, I don’t have to think about melodies and song structure, which takes some energy. Thematically, I feel much freer to explore absurd, humourous, and political themes in poetry – it’s this thematic freedom that has been really creatively reinvigorating.
Has your consideration of poetry changed since you began?
As a new poet, my perspective on poetry is changing all the time! I feel like I just climbed up into a high alpine valley and I am so excited that I want to run off in all directions, climb that summit, walk on that ridgeline, and then chill by that waterfall over there. All aspects of poetry are so fresh to me, I am really just enjoying the process and the journey of discovery.
How does your work first enter the world? Do you have a social group or writers group that you work ideas and poems with?
My good friend Jenn Johnson and I have been doing the poetry penpal thing, so she will send a batch of awesome poems in the mail, then I will write response poems and send them back. We’ve been doing this for about 2 years or so, and it has been really great challenge to take on new forms and topics. Every letter we send is addressed to a new imaginary organization like The League of Self-Important Poets or Association of Crokinole Poetry, so it’s always fun to see what wacky name is written on the envelope.
How did you first engage with poetry?
After finishing a decade-long music project called the Canadian Landscape Trilogy with woodland telegraph, I took a break from writing songs. I was walking in my hometown one night, and out of nowhere, I was struck with the inspiration to write a piece juxtaposing the suburban landscape with the places I visit when mountaineering. I was surprised by how much fun I had, so I haven’t stopped since.
