Category: Poet

Interview with Poet Franco D’Alessandro (LEOPARD CLUB LOVE)

1) What is the theme of your poem? That transformative power of -what the Greeks called- Storge/Philia love, especially when found in an unlikely place and between unlikely people. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? My relationship with a student who has become a son to me. A rather tricky thing as I… Continue reading Interview with Poet Franco D’Alessandro (LEOPARD CLUB LOVE)

Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

1) What is the theme of your poem? the theme of my poem is finding your strength to stay strong 2) What motivated you to write this poem? this event changed the world and affected all of us deep into our heart, whether we were there or not. 3) How long have you been writing… Continue reading Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? James Morgan-Jones: The beauty of the natural world, of difference and of the individual. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? A visitation by the demoiselle as I sat in the garden on a beautiful spring day. 3) How long have you been writing poetry?… Continue reading Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? Paul O’Donnell: Despair, frustration, poor decisions and their consequences, hope 2) What motivated you to write this poem? All my poetry is prompted by what I feel or see. It’s my way of thinking about social change and doing something about it with the power of… Continue reading Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

 1) What is the theme of your poem? The theme of this poem is how to turn disappointment into something useful for myself, how to transform that deadly blow into art. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? I was not long-listed for the New Zealand book awards which I expected, although I later… Continue reading Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

Interview with Poet David Cook (A LAST LOOK BEFORE LEAVING)

 1) What is the theme of your poem? A woman admitting to herself that her relationship is abusive 2) What motivated you to write this poem? An anecdote told me which I thought was instructive and had a twist 3) How long have you been writing poetry? 35 years 4) If you could have dinner… Continue reading Interview with Poet David Cook (A LAST LOOK BEFORE LEAVING)

Interview with Poet Bill Mumford (THE KEENING CURLEW)

1) What is the theme of your poem? Despite the sense of desolation the poem is about hope- the curlew’s call sounds like a mourning lament but actually it is a love song to attract a mate. The poem finishes with the observation that people who are very sick in hospital will smile and feel… Continue reading Interview with Poet Bill Mumford (THE KEENING CURLEW)

Interview with Poet Iuliana Pașca

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? As the title “Cosmogony” suggests, the theme is the creation of the cosmos, the poetic-self being the generator of this entire universe. Additionally, the poet’s coming into the world is akin to the birth of an entire universe. 2) What motivated you to write this poem?… Continue reading Interview with Poet Iuliana Pașca