1) What is the theme of your poem?
The Shepherd’s Song
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
An Ekphrasis poem is written to describe visual art works. They usually complement the visual impression. I took licence with the form and wrote about a haunting old French folk song Bailero, the composer Joseph Canteloube wrote as a piano piece using the ekphrasis ideal. The Frederica Von Stade version (on YouTube) is one of the slower renditions of Bailero I find hauntingly beautiful.
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
Many would not call my work poetry. It has none of the beauty of traditional verse, rhyme, meter, stanza, or lyricism. I am motivated by imagery and words. I like words.
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
I do not have heroes because often we find they have annoying traits, but I would like to have had dinner with the polymath Jonathan Miller. Since he is no longer alive dinner with Australian living legend Barry Jones would be interesting for me.
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
No one remembers but recitation was once a valued skill. Actors still have it because it is their function.
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
Since I have had time I have. Current events remind my old mind of things that happened “once upon a time.” Out of vanity I am writing about my reactions to things spoke about today for my too-young-to-care grandchildren.
7) What is your passion in life?
I find living agreeable. Good health allows simple pleasures: family, friends, food, flora and fauna (See what I did there?) are all passions.
Watch the Poetry Reading:
Performed by Val Cole
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 