Who or what have been the biggest influences on your life choices? Who have been your mentors (living, dead, fictional, etc)?
I had a European History teacher in high school who taught me how to read Eliot’s The Wasteland. He was one. My wife, Rachel, has had a profound and poignant impact on my life and writing. Bob Dylan gave me the juice, but he probably gave that juice to a lot of people. Led Zeppelin, too. The Bible. Tony Hoagland and Gerald Stern and my good and dear friend, Michael Morse, a deeply talented poet himself. Matthew Dickman, another poet friend and Jen Woods, the visionary publisher of my next book. There are a lot more, I’m sure, but I’ll end with my kids — Natalie and Eliana — who break open the door every night when we are in the deepest sleep.
What words of advice do you have for someone, young or old, who dreams of writing poetry?
Just write, every week, four times a week. At least.
What else would you like the readers to know?
That poetry should be fun — to read, to write. It should get people fired up, make them laugh, make them pee in their pants, cry, cackle, weep, love, dance, oh yeah, especially that, to dance.
What are favorite poems of other poets that inspire you and make you want to dance?
Here are a few: Adrian Blevins’ "Still Life With Peeved Madona", Matthew Dickman’s "All-American Poem", Frank O’Hara’s "Memorial Day 1950", Etheridge Knight’s "Feelin’ Fucked Up", Juan Felipe Herrera’s "187 Reasons Why Mexicano’s Can’t Cross The Border", and to wind it up, Anne Sexton’s "451 Mercy Street".
Thank you, Matthew!
And here's a sneak-preview poem from his new book, Monkey Bars, due out in October from Typecast Publishing -
LIKE LIZARDS
The madness of having children is that they don’t go away.
I want them to — to the park for twelve years
or to college when they are ten —
even the ones who haven’t arrived.
Don’t slide out just yet, give me six more days of silence
to watch 24 episodes in one continuous loop
so I can pretend I’m some white trash, rogue hero
who can save the world.
My wife tells me that I have already saved the world.
Look at your daughter.
Then her airplane, the one she drew orange yellow purple,
takes off and flies around the living room.
Want to get on, Papa?
Damn straight I do,
fly to South America and walk the jungle.
Article comments
1 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Wow. I just saw that I was chosen as Writer of the Day. I am blown away. A total surprise. Thank you for this amazing honor.
2 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
And Matthew should get most of the credit. It's his interview. :)
3 - El Bicho
there's enough plugs here for your book. give it a rest
4 - Diana Carrington
What an engaging and talented writer! Matthew is precious and outrageous! Good questions Lynette! I'll really have to get that book! He's so for real!
5 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you for reading the article and posting your comments.
Diana, thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt comments . I'm glad you enjoy Matthew's writing and my questions. Matthew's new book is available right now for presale. Just click the link by the picture of the cover of Monkey Bars and it will take you right there. Enjoy Monkey Bars! :)
6 - Paul Barnett
Hey,
Congrats on your interview. The man draws with colors straight from the soul. I can breath deeply again, Thank you:)
P.
7 - Linda McHenry
A great interview, Lynette. You deserve the award. You asked the right questions, and got amazing answers. Thank you. I'm inspired and encouraged all over again, and just when I needed it most.
8 - Lewis Ellingham
Thanks for this, Lynette. Your interviewee has a lot of vitality and fine sense of narrative. I'm surprised he's not writing stories, though of course he may be. -Lew Ellingham
9 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you Paul, Linda and Lew for your glowing comments.
Paul, I look forward to the publication of your beautiful prose that sends me to another realm, a parallel universe.
Linda, I am so happy that you feel inspired and encouraged. We truly need each other, for mutual encouragement and inspiration. Your short stories are jewels. Where can blogcritic readers find your stories? Can they buy a book where they are published as part of a collection? What are the titles and publishers of the books and periodicals where your stories appear? Your work will encourage others, too.
10 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Lew, let's let folks know about your work.
Dear readers, Lew Ellingham is the author of "The Birds and Other Poems". Also he is the co-author of the landmark biography, "Poet, Be Like God: Jack Spicer and the San Francisco Renaissance", Wesleyen University Press.
They are available to purchase online. Just google the title and author and choose your buying option. :)
11 - poet
It is really inspiring me how he kept his dream from childhood. I really like his poetry, his passion, and how he able to express his felling through poet. he deserve more than standard prize. noble prize would be perfect for him
12 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you for your heart-felt comments, Poet!