Which poets do you turn to again and again?
Some are popular answers like Neruda, Rimbaud and Poe, but an answer more unique to me is Chico Buarque. He’s a Brazilian musician and writer. His songs are like his poetry and his syntax, storytelling, and unique constructions and rhyme schemes are inspiring.
Name a poem you wish you had written.
A really hard question to answer, but my knee-jerk reaction is to say, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”
Outside of writing poetry, are you involved in other areas in the writing industry?
Yes, mostly in writing short stories.
Have you always written, or was there a catalyst that prompted you to begin this journey?
I’ve always written compulsively, I’ve gone back and forth in terms of what kind of writing I’ve done, but that need has always been there even if I was the only one who ever read a work.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don’t turn your back on any form of writing, carefully choose what idea fits what form.
Any advice for young authors beginning their author journey?
Date works so you can see improvements over time, and imposter syndrome is universal and always lurking. Ignore it and write your way through it.
What is your proudest writing achievement?
In poetic terms they would be this book, a Rhysling Award nomination in 2025 for “The Tentacular Crown” and having original poetry published by Star*Line and having a translation published by Mantis.
What sparked the idea for this book?
This book really came about from spotting recurrent images and themes I identified in many of my poems. Any attempts I’ve made at collecting my own works have come about like this, I’ve not yet intentionally set out to create one and succeeded in completing it.
Is there a particular message that you hope readers will take from Prismatic Menagerie?
If anything, I suppose that would be the interconnectedness of things. That can be a scary thought, but I find it be a great comfort.
