From the Conversations with Artists series [2]
A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet might simply be the creator (thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or written), or someone who also performs their art to an audience.” – Wikipedia
Lili’s Substack – https://substack.com/@musicmartinismisanthropy
What got you into poetry?
The first time I ever really interacted with poetry properly was in school. The theme was war poetry so it was right up my street. I think the way my English teacher went about explaining poetry as something “used to explain other things”, made it click in my head and helped me
begin to understand what poetry really is.
What is your process of thinking/preparation before you write a poem?
Usually, I’ll try think of a specific event/moment that could tie into the poem. Even mundane things like birds picking at rubbish have made for the subject of a poem.
What inspires you to write a poem?
Anything can inspire me to write a poem, I like to mention my country, Ireland, in a lot of my writing. Pieces of art, and other literature also influence the way I write and what I write about. For example, I’ve written multiple poems about ‘the meeting on the turret steps,’ an Irish painting on display in Dublin that I’ve visited more times than I can count.
Do you have a favourite poem?
It’s really hard to narrow it down to one, but I’d have to say Wilfred Owen’s Anthem for Doomed Youth. I love Owen’s writing, and I think his style creeps up on you while you read. The final line of that poem is beautiful to me.
What do you recommend for someone who wants to get into poetry?
Read as much as you can! Reading poetry significantly helps you with writing poetry. Go to whatever bookshop is closest and lift an anthology from a writer whose name you only vaguely recognise.
How do you want your poetry to make other people feel?
I would like people to feel how I felt while writing the poem when they’re reading it, and for them to use it as a way to get a real look inside my head.
Any songs that you like to listen to as you write or do you find music distracting?
Music is a must for me when I’m writing, poetry and lyricism may as well be the same thing. I love the lyrics of Death in June, I think a lot of their music is very poetic. In the thinking phase of the poetry process, instrumental music helps keep me focused. Old western soundtracks also sound so much better when I’m writing.
What makes poetry interesting to you?
I love talking, writing, and I love language. Poetry is a beautiful way to put language to use, I feel like it’s more special than prose. Cracking the meaning of a poem for the first time was magical for me, it’s like uncovering something hidden beneath different words and phrases.
What do you say to people who stray from poetry because they find it too
complicated/layered?
Personally I think poetry being layered makes it even better, but I’d tell those people just to take it slow. Start off with modern poets, I feel like they’re a whole lot easier to understand than the famous old guys you often hear about. I haven’t even read any of the famous old guys because they’re too complicated.
Here are two poems from Lili –
- Titled : “Merrion”
That hill beside the sea
Gentle tolerance for enthusiasm,
How many times did we visit?
Rolling lir, thunderous spéir
Kept us together
We were united here.
Eyes closed and clutching
Gorm against dearg
2. “Untitled”
No normal November nighttime,
Down some dark direction.
The repeated rendezvous,
Soaring steadily south.
Our quaint quarter quietly closed.
The bell beckons,
And the steel gate slowly slides.
Hand held,
Trembling, tumultuous tides.
You yank me yearningly,
Yes–
Yonder seaside.
Fate folding forever’s farewell.
Thanks to Lili for answering these questions from us, you can check out her substack linked at the top if you want to see more from her and if you’re an artist who wants to take part in this series – email thespyderblog@gmail.com!