Karen Call from Tucson, Arizona, tells us about her poetry journey.
Some months I only write one poem. It’s the poem I send in an envelope to four other poets; it’s our round robin. If you know a few other poets, I can’t think of a better motivator to keep writing poems than a round robin by snail mail. I go through periods when I write a poem a day. When we travel I don’t write as much. When we are home, I go for a walk and then write. I have a calendar of inspirational quotes that I’ve had for twenty years. I write about the day’s quote, what I saw on my walk, or what I see out my window or what’s on my mind. I don’t always write a poem; sometimes it’s an essay. I start my pieces in longhand in ink on yellow, lined pads, writing straight across the page. I leave empty lines between my words for changes. When I think I’ve got something, I take my messy sheets to the computer and type the lines. That helps me see if I have a poem nugget or an essay. If I do have a poem nugget, I work with the words, condense them, and look for better ones. I leave it for a day or two, coming back to improve it and create line breaks. I’ve had poems published in chapbooks and in on-line magazines. One editor said my poem was exactly what she wanted. Joy! I belong to the Wyoming and Arizona Poetry Societies and attend workshops. I buy books of poems and the craft of writing poetry, and I use the library. I read poems alone and aloud with my husband. Poems read aloud take on new meaning. We like poems because there is so much in so few words.
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Abbie Johnson Taylor, president of WyoPoets, is an avid and passionate about life. Reading her submission and listening to her poetry give us a view into her many interests and observations. I’m the President of WyoPoets. I’m visually impaired and live in Sheridan, Wyoming, where for six years, I cared for my late husband, totally blind and partially paralyzed as a result of two strokes. Besides poetry, I write fiction and nonfiction. My novel, We Shall Overcome, was published in 2007 by iUniverse. My work has appeared in various journals and anthologies. My poetry collection, How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver, was released in 2011 also by iUniverse. I’m currently working on a memoir about my experiences as a family caregiver. I’m inspired to write by many things: songs I hear on the radio, things I see with my limited vision while out walking, conversations I overhear, dreams I have, items in the news. Visit her website to learn more about her and her books and to read some of her work. Tom Spence lives in Buffalo and found time to let us into his life.
I read and write poetry because I believe we humans are born with syntax perplexing us. As we form language, we inform our perception of the world. As we use syntax to describe our perception we re-form the world. Rules for this game are not fixed. No topics are forbidden. No one is keeping score. It’s fun. Everyone wins. I’ve been reading and writing poetry since grade school. My sister and I spent afternoons reading out loud whatever we had from my father’s or grandfather’s eclectic collections: Badger Clark, Rudyard Kipling, Longfellow; later, Keats, Elizabeth B. Browning, E. E. Cummings, Robert Frost. We wrote a lot of doggerel when we were young. We imposed it upon unsuspecting audiences. Unfortunately, she is dead, but I persist. Every time I hear a great lyric sung (Hart, Sondheim, Harburg, Comden, Berlin, etc.) I wish I had been a lyricist. I sing in the shower. I am inspired to write by contradictions, ironies, discoveries, doubts, and wit. Getting from here to there is only fun along the way. I write every day, hundreds of words. If I am not working on something I feel bereft and lonely. My desk is a mess. My computer files need attention. I write formal verse, informally. I am always aware of form. I write plays with music. I write a lot of fiction. I am opinionated, but mostly tolerant…, and occasionally insufferable. From Tom’s work, he shares: I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like Is universal and facile. It’s not very much different from riding a bike, But infinitely larger the hassle. I’ve been growing up for a very long time; I have plenty of plans, that’s for sure. Should I get grown up before I die, I’m Afraid that will be premature. |
Featured Members
Here, WyoPoets asks its members to summarize their writing lives, poetry backgrounds and inspirations. We hope that if you are not a member you will think about joining. If you are a member, this is a chance to learn how other WyoPoets’ members get their poetry onto paper. Submissions receive only minor edits. Each poet’s voice clearly shines through. If you would like to share your poetry experiences, email Myra L. Peak for details. Archives
September 2015
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