5. How does a poem begin?
For me it begins with an image, a sound, a line or a
picture. I often come up with ideas for poems when I am stuck in traffic. Since
I live in LA and this happens almost every day on my way to work, having a
notebook and a pen is handy when inspiration strikes you. I’ve always said,
when inspiration calls, no matter where you are, you got to accept the charges.
So, when a line or an idea comes into my head, I write it down. Usually some of
the best poems come to life like this. One poem, “Book Like A Woman,” from my
poetry collection Flashes & Verses
was actually written in the parking lot of a famous bookstore in Pasadena. “Her
only Light in Vegas” was penned during a stay on the strip, passing the slot
machines, I spent all weekend crafting that one poem in our hotel room. “Living
Next to Henry Miller” was inspired by a Los
Angeles Magazine byline that I saw waiting in line at Sprouts while I was
buying groceries. I started jotting down a few lines and when I got home I
looked up the article and was disappointed on what I read. So, I wrote a poem
what I imagined what it would be like living next to Miller. For me a poem is
always just around the corner. I don’t ever want to miss the chance of
transcribing a poem that will change my life. Eddie
Vedder said it best. “I just try to remember where that initial spark came
from, and it’s like a pilot light, and I try to make sure that thing doesn’t go
out.” As a poet you don’t want to ever let that light go out. Follow any
inclination and let that poem begin to come to life on your age.
No comments:
Post a Comment