Interview with Poet Smokey Miles (THE FISH)

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of the poem is that things we know can get altered in life and the hunter may become the prey. Also, it is a salty tale of the sea, like Hemmingway and his Old Man, but in this mighty piece of literature, done my way, like Sinatra would sing, or your way like a Burger King meal, only with a fish.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

When I was quite a young boy, we went on a family trip to Montauk, Long Island, NY and I caught a flounder. I was very pleased with my catch and as I recall we cooked it on a grill and had a delicious meal. Later on that evening I attempted to unravel the line and to put it back on the rod correctly, but the line kept getting tangled up and the hooks got caught in my flesh, especially in my feet. I felt helpless, clumsy and in pain. I think that was the inspiration and motivation behind this.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I was making up verses that became poems and many that became songs, probably since I was 6 or 7, maybe younger, and now I’m 70, so you can do the math.

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

I think having dinner with Leonardo da Vinci would be a hoot, especially if he knows a really great Italian restaurant and I’d be provided with airfare and hotel accommodations to Italy.

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

I’m a professional actor myself, but it didn’t seem to be an option for me to read it here, and besides, I wanted to hear how another actor would read and interpret my words. Kudos to Val Cole! She did a great job!

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

I write many songs and have had two albums shortlisted for the Grammy Awards – “Waiting for the Hurricane” (Smokey Miles – Americana category) and “Smokesylvania in My Mind” (Count Smokula – my alter ego – Comedy category).

I also write scripts, plays and paintings and drawings with dialogues attached.

7) What is your passion in life?

I like to write, record, paint and draw, sing and play the blues and rock’n’roll.

Watch the Poetry Reading: