Jay Passer : coda

How does a poem begin?

With a word, of course. Or a number. Or a signal, sign, emblem, curse, re-nunciation, slap... sometimes even a kiss. Definitely not an emoji. There are limits!

Jay Passer : part five

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

I send my work out to sites that seem conducive to my style and content. I don't have any poet friends; the two I did have have both died. But as far as the process goes, I've always worked alone. On the other hand, I have many friends in the visual arts, because I also paint and sculpt and conceive of visions. 

Jay Passer : part four

Has your consideration of poetry changed since you began?

Yes. Less people should consider themselves poets. It's a slush avalanche of meaninglessness. Poetry is a trifle; it's "poets" that feel they must be important. It's self-serving and egocentric. Poetry is something you read when you sit on the toilet. Leave importance to shaman, and their little adjuncts, doctors. I remember in my youth submitting by post and waiting three months or more for any response. Spoiled kids, these days. And really, who gives a damn? In the long run, it just doesn't pay. Unless you're Shel Silver-stein. 

Jay Passer : part three

How do you know when a poem is finished?

I never know. I either lose steam, get bored, or something more important comes up, like a drink, or a woman, or an earthquake. But I save everything, so all that unfinished or abandoned stuff can always find new life. Much of what I consider my best work has been reconditioned from previous states where I initially thought all was lost.

Jay Passer : part two

How did you first engage with poetry?

I randomly found a book by e.e. cummings on the street when I was 14 years old. 100 poems. I was already a reader but this was a different species. e.e. didn't title his poems. e.e. ignored punctuation rules. e.e. played games with the universe. I was almost as fascinated with this new world as I was with girls. Almost.

Jay Passer : part one

Jay Passer's work has appeared in print and online since 1988. He is the author of 13 collections of poetry and prose; his first novel, Squirrel, was published by Alien Buddha Press in 2022. Passer lives and works in San Francisco, the city of his birth.

What are you working on?

A collection of poems scribbled over the last two years. Getting ready to publish. In two documents there's about 150 pieces. Half of these pieces have already seen the world in various online circumstances. Some tough work, some pathetic work, some sympathetic work, some ecstatic work.