Justin Hamm : part four

What do you find most difficult about writing poetry? 

There are a couple of aspects I find difficult. The first is getting started, especially as the world becomes more and more chaotic and worrisome. Under those circumstances it is hard to remember that poetry has value. It can even be guilt-inducing to think about poetry when there is sickness and war everywhere. Of course, that’s total nonsense--poetry is, among other things, a form of prayer. But it can be hard to remember that.  

Then there’s the matter of going to the heavy places it takes to write good poems, ones that are personal and full of truth. It can be overwhelming to dig through the psyche, like punching the time clock in hell every day.