How does a poem begin?
For me, a poem most often begins with an image that has expressed itself to me in language with a rhythmic shape. The image is inseparable from the form of its expression. I set this piece of language down on the page and follow it where it wants to go. The work is always wiser than we are.
How important is music to your poetry?
Music is tremendously important to me, but although I’m also a songwriter, I think of poetry and songwriting as very distinct forms of expression. While the lyrics of a song have the music against which to counterpoint, the words of a lyric poem have only themselves to create the rhythmic paradigms against which to counterpoint. Of course there were moments in history (and pre-history) when these forms were closer to one another, but they have emerged as two different disciplines, and I think that adds to the richness of our human creation.
What do you feel poetry can accomplish that other forms can’t?
Poetry is the pure word, the most distilled language that uses its rhythms and images to be the mystery rather than to convey it. As long as there is language, poetry cannot be replaced by any other medium, as it is the human voice stripped down to its essential, abiding song.
How do you know when a poem is finished?
When a poem is finished, it banishes its creator. For better or worse, there is no more the maker can do. I imagine in this way a poem is not unlike the world.
Photo credit: Laura Rinaldi
What are you working on?
I’m writing a “living poem” to my son and posting it on Twitter, a line at a time, as it happens. Parenthood can teach us about the beautiful messiness, the good cracks in the daily bread, the whole organic process of living. My hope is that this poem speaks to my son and to all who still keep a seed of childhood’s mysteries in them. It can be found on Twitter at @stars_poem.
