Interview with Poet Nadia Bruce-Rawlings (FARA FARA FAIR AS LIGHT)

1) What is the theme of your poem?

This poem is about a friend of mine, an AA sponsee, who shot herself in the head….and not wanting to think about it.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I had to write this poem in order to heal. I was so traumatized by her suicide. I had to get the pain out on paper.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since I was a kid, on and off. Writing has always been a catharsis for me. Words just come to me, sometimes, and I need to get them out. I don’t write every day though; I wish I could.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

I would have dinner with Patti Smith. She is just such an amazing writer and poet and singer and performer. When I first saw her, on tv, when I was about 13, it changed my life. I didn’t know that people could be like that….I had only heard crap like Journey etc at that point, and then I saw her performing Dancing Barefoot in concert that was broadcast on TV in Europe where I was living at the time. It literally changed my outlook on life.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I was curious as to how an actor would perform my poem. My work is very emotional usually, and I wanted to see how someone else would perform it.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I write short stories and poetry. I have a book published by Punk Hostage Press, called Scars, which is a collection of poetry and short stories. It is available on Amazon. I’ve also co-written a song with a colleague.

7) What is your passion in life?

My passion now is to be of service to others. I have twenty years sober, after living a pretty dark several years as an alcoholic and crack-addict. I love to help other women find their way back to life. It brings me such joy to see someone find a better way. Also I love dogs. 🙂

Watch the Poetry Reading: 

Performed by Danielle Nicole