Poetry is Play – an interview with Kathrine Yets

 

Kathrine Yets is a teacher and poet who lives in Wisconsin, USA. She teaches composition, creative writing, and communications at various organization, schools, colleges, and universities. Her poems are published in many literary magazines and anthologies, including Blue Heron Review, Universal Oneness Anthology, River & South Review, and 5th Wall Press. She won the Jade Ring Award from the Wisconsin Writers' Association in 2017. In this brief interview, Nivedita N from Lampshade Writers, speak to her about her muse, her process and what keeps her going.

LW: What moves you to write?

KY: The world moves me. Lately, I've been writing Odes to random objects like bedazzled cow skulls and bolo ties. These are mainly commenting on our draw towards materialism. I'm inspired by animals, which shows in my chapbook The Animal Within, personifying animals. People often inspire, too, with their stories leading to my most recent collection in the works America Speaks. The person who moves me most is my muse, my husband. I'm moved many ways, constantly being pushed or pulled by muses here and there like the ocean tides, calm or hurricane like.

We could spend our days chasing ghosts

Of who we wished we were

Or we could embrace ourselves

For who we are and will be

LW: What's your favourite poem?

KY: My favourite poem is by Jack Spicer, which reads in the beginning, "Any fool can get into an ocean. But it takes a goddess to get out of one." Most of his poems are my favourites, and I thank my friend Ellen for introducing me to his works by giving me a book of all his poetry. When speaking of poems and poets I enjoy, I must give a shout out to my fellow Wisconsin poets such as Cristina Norcross, Margaret Rozga, Jim Landwehr, and so many others. These poets are worth checking into. We have many prolific poets in Wisconsin.

LW: What is your writing process like?

KY: My writing process is eclectic. I write when I'm inspired, I write when I'm uncertain, I write when I'm prompted, I write when I'm bored, and I write in many different scenarios. It can flow easily or be forced. Depends on the poem, Dear.

LW: How do you practice reading your poem in public?

KY: For public performance, I only practise if I know there's a time limit to be sure all poems stay within time frame. Nothing is ruder than going over allotted time at an event. Mostly, I wing it. It is a good idea to practice, though. If I did practice, I would do so in front of a mirror. I'd probably benefit from this since in pictures of me at readings, I often look too serious while reading. Something to consider.

LW: Your writing is so fresh and like a friend talking to you. How did you get to working on this style?

KY: I'd say the voice within my poems comes from becoming more comfortable with myself and audience. Confidence in my voice took quite some time. A lot of writing. A lot of marketing to get published. A lot of learning by reading. Now, I'm able to produce a publishable and enjoyable piece within minutes, so the voice is natural or rather instinctive, from idea to words to page. At times, I do Google synonyms or a word I'm uncertain of. Otherwise, the lines just seem to appear before me within a state of flow. This voice and flow took time. Poetry is play, and I like to play.

LW: Any word of advice to poets?

KY: As said, poetry is play, and anyone can play, so anyone can write poetry. Don't take poetry too seriously. You'll never get out of a poem without being crazed if taken too seriously. "What's true of oceans is true of labyrinths and poems," said Jack Spicer, "... you need to be a... Goddess..." While I wish this to be true, that I'm a Goddess as a poet, I know it's a grandiose untruth. Anyone can write poetry. And if anyone needs or wants assistance writing poems, and essentially become a God or Goddess or deity of choice, please join Lakeside Poets & Writers workshop series virtually. I will help you produce personal and publishable poems.

Thank you for reading, poets and poetry lovers. Check here work here. 

Signing off with an excerpt from a poem by Kathrine:

Tom Says Hello 

He speaks to me
through country music
and fallen photos.
He tells me
to stay strong
through hell fire.
Come what may,
deep within my marrow,
I know he is here.
Inside each fish scale
and cumulus cloud's
rainbow reflection,
a glint of appreciation
that he expressed
to me in our last words --

Thank you
for all you have done,
he said between long breaths.

Listen to the complete poem, here