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?

I have always been curious about where we come from, what we truly are, and why we are here. When I was 5 years old, I started a journey of discovering the “end of the world”, but my quest was interrupted by a neighbour that found me wandering around and brought me home. Ha-ha. Since then, I continue my “expeditions” towards such discoveries, but, obviously, in a less physical manner.

I think I wrote this poem out of a desire to understand and express the joy of being part of something as great as this universe.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Do love letters to an imaginary friend count? 🙂

I wrote the first text, that can be defined poetic by the literary canons, about 10 years ago.

But, from my point of view, poetry is more than a correctly written text that may be generally accepted by the critics as such, it is a beautifully expressed emotion, so, my lost love letters to that imaginary friend could be considered poetry as well and then I should say I have been writing poetry since I knew how to write.

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

My grandmother that passed away too many years ago.

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

I didn’t think twice when you sent me the invitation. I appreciate the work you’re putting in promoting poetry and connecting poets around the world.

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

I write poetry, as, in this period of my life, it is the best way I can use to express myself. But I enjoy literature a lot and I also like doing translations of short stories and other poems. Besides, I wrote a few literary articles (such as: Madness in literature – Diary of a madman story) and I published editorials or interviews in local literary magazines.

7) What is your passion in life?

I enjoy many things in life, but I am especially passionate about those things/ places/ ideas etc. that I have yet to discover.

 
Watch the Poetry Reading: 

Performed by Allison Kampf

I would like to tell you about my birth
but how to start with no beginning?
…
Mother said I was born
ahead of my time;
I don’t remember,
but I know I was there when
I also gave birth to my mother.

I saw when from the heart
the galaxies
gushed streamingly,
suns were smiling on the spine
rasing satellites
from the tireless breath.
Neurons formed stars
in the rainbow hair,
while Mars was preparing
for the fight.

From the fingers of the left hand
it detached,
together with the rings, Saturn
then, as lightning,
Jupiter came out of nowhere,
and to my feet
was lying down
the Earth.