Robert Griffith
OTF Community Poet
Q: When did you start writing poetry?
I began writing poetry in late 2001. One day while sitting in class at school, one two-line stanza kept sticking in my head. Without attracting attention, I pushed my work aside, and began to write. Before the day was over, I had written three or four very simple poems. In the coming month, I would have what would become my five favorite poems.
Q: Can you describe your most effective working method? Do you wait for inspiration, or sit down every day with the intention of writing?
I wouldn't think of it as inspiration, per se, merely because there aren't moments where I say, "Ah ha! I've got it!" When I do write, usually, it's just this need inside of me to do so. Sometimes I'll sit and have nothing to work off of, but will write something, anything, if only to motivate myself.
Q: What were the books and events that most influenced your beginning as a writer?
I began reading novels in the third grade, starting with, of course, Star Trek. From there, I developed a pretty good use of the English language. It wasn't really until the latter part of 2001 that the need to write hit me.
Q: What is your process for writing a poem?
What process would I have? When I sit down at the computer, whether or not I know what I will be writing, the only thing that sticks in my mind is that, right then, I need to finish something. I know that if I walk away from that computer or from that piece of paper; my inspiration and motivation will be gone.
Q: Do you spend much time rewriting your poems or do they hit the paper complete?
There have been a few poems of mine that I have written in two minutes, and that's without any foreknowledge or inspiration so to speak. Others have taken weeks, and even months. On my hard drive right now are at least a dozen poems I began, but never finished for some reason or another. One day, when it feels right, I might finish them.
Q: How do you know when a poem is finished? Or when it's dead?
I just know. It's as simple as that.
Q: How has the Internet helped you as a poet?
In a strange way, a way that won't be understood for possibly years after this interview has been complete, the Internet has been my inspiration.
Q: What has poetry done for you? What does Poetry mean to you? And why?
I can't say, "Poetry is my way of expressing myself;" because, poetry is just words on a paper. Poetry has no deep-felt meaning for me. When I want to write, well, I write.
Your work for the most part seems to center around your own personal feelings is this what makes yout turn to poetry a way to express your inner thoughts?
No, not particularly. Each of my poems have different meanings, or at least when I read them to myself they do.
Q: If you had to pick a word or color to describe all the poetry, what would you pick?
This is such an interesting question. I suppose I haven't tried to associate such things to my poems. I would think that, in relation to what I said in the last question, that each poem, while having a different meaning, is directed towards a certain emotion. So it would depend on the poem, I believe, which color would be most appropriate.
Q: Are there any subjects which you find difficult, emotionally, to write about?
Writing is difficult for me, no matter what I'm writing about. It is only the audience's opinion that drives me away from some specific subjects
Q: What poets inspire your own writing? What do you think is the best poetry?
I wrote a poem back in late June of 2002 entitled "Fork in the River." When people read it, some of them said that it reminded them of Robert Frost. I would like to write poetry in the style of Edgar Allen Poe, given that, in some ways, my life and his parallels.
Q: Which contemporary poets do you most admire?
Oddly enough, I don't really like poetry. I read some poems back in school, and while I enjoyed them, I find that more modern poets can't capture my imagination.
Q: Every poet has his/her own method of getting to the finished piece. What process works for you?
When I'm done, I'm done.
Q: We all have ways of expressing our creativity, how and when did you discover that yours was poetry?
My creativity isn't centered around poetry. I have a journal, that I began in December of 2001, that I have poured a lot of myself into, both emotionally and philosophically. Poetry is just a by-product of whatever thoughts I can't fit into a paragraph.
Q: What kinds of abilities or qualities do you think the poet ought to possess?
Anyone can be a poet, so everyone has that quality.
Q: Do you have a favorite poet? Favorite poem by another writer?
Robert Frost's "The Road Less Traveled".
Q: Favorite poem of your own? And why?
My favorite poem changes from time to time. I suppose the one that I'm proudest of would be "Too Many Secrets", but of course, next week, I might say, "How Can I Love Her" or "A Greener Side to Darkness" or "I'm Here." All depends.
Q: What does it take to be a good poet?
Lungs full of air and a good beating heart.
Q: Why is poetry good for us? In what way does poetry help us?
I didn't know that poetry was good for us, but I suppose it can't really hurt you, either.
Q: Have you ever entered or had your poems published anywhere else other than OTF Poetry Guild?
I have one poem, Fork in the River published on Poetry.com. The website owner/operator filled my inbox with fraudulent e-mails, so I figure entering their contest was a mistake. Other than there, and of course the Outpost, no, I do not have work published as of yet.
Q: If you could go back in time what famous poet would you like to meet?
Edgar Allen Poe would be an interesting fellow to meet; however, if I were to go back and meet him, he would not know, nor care, about anything I were to say.
Q:Do you have your own site?
Yes
Q: We always seem to look back at our lives and say, "If I had to do it over again...." Any wisdom for poets who are just starting out?
Anything goes as everyone does.
Q: Do you feel you have had to sacrifice anything in your life in order to do your work?
Sometimes I've had to stay up a bit later than I'd like in order to finish a
poem. But as they say, "No pain, no gain."
Q: What benefits do you feel society reaps from contemporary poets?
In those countries where poetry is studied, I'm sure that in reading that
poetry, it gives children something to think about
Q: What do you have planned for the immediate future?
Pick up the pieces, lose 'em, repeat.
Thank you for the Interview Robert
No problem. Was wondering when I'd be picked. ;-)
Interview by Leeta
Submitted on 06.23.03