I believe in writing poems about food. For awhile, I was convinced that writing about the joy of pastry or the taste of Russian black bread might keep me from needing to indulge. I imagined the diet book, "How to Write Food Poems and Fit into Your Size 6 Jeans." There was a time when I couldn't write a poem without mentioning bread or wine. I tend to write about different obsessions, always wondering if I am destined to write food or photography or fire poems forever. I think there is only one true food poem coming out in The Alchemist's Kitchen titled, "Food for Fallen Angels." Do you write about food? Is there a certain obsession that finds its way into your work over and over? I can't make up my mind if this is a nervous tick or a strength - can you?
Reading about food is the next best thing to eating it, so I think it's marvelous that you write poems about food! I may have one poem where food figures into it, but only in part... We all have our obsessions. We're poets, after all!
ReplyDeleteHi Mari,
ReplyDeleteWhat would you say are your current poetic obsessions?
A lot of my poems have cigarettes in them--something I didn't notice until I quit smoking. My new obsession is public transportation. There seems to be a bus or a train in every new poem I write.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever found a cigarette or a bus in my poems! I know there has been at least one train, many ferryboats (I live in Seattle) and several airplanes. Maybe I should slip a cigarette into my next poem? I love the idea of borrowing other people's obsessions. Thank you!
I'd say that my obsession is the unattainable, the undefinable... that which ultimately cannot be possessed. Would that be longing? If you read my book, you'll soon get a sense, I suspect... Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI am re-reading your book right now. It's at the top of the bedside table!
ReplyDelete