“In Heaven;” “Treasure;” and “Star of Wonder, Star of Night” by T. R. Poulson appeared in Issue 46 and can be found here.
We’d love to hear more about this set of poetry.
“Treasure” – This poem was originally part of a long (four-page) narrative poem. In workshops, the persistent suggestion was cut it into two poems. I struggled to figure out how to cut it, but finally I did without trying to over-think it. ONE ART ended up publishing “Treasure.” Its sister poem, titled “A Calf With Bent Forelegs Can’t Be Born” now appears in West Trade Review. I guess my peers know what they’re talking about.
“In Heaven” – This poem was originally a prompt poem, the prompt being to write about a fictional situation in which a loved one meets a celebrity. I wrote the first draft years ago, originally as a sestina. I kept setting it aside, knowing it wanted to be in form but knowing the sestina wasn’t the right form. I finally noticed it had a lot of -n slant rhymes, so I went with the mono-slant-end rhymes.
“Star of Wonder, Star of Night” – I’m a UPS driver, and I was talking to one of my work-friends about what it means to save someone. The conversation took place around the time of the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn (Dec, 2020). I was able to watch the planets move closer together over a cow pasture every night. That’s how the poem was born.
What was the most difficult part of this particular piece(s)?
“Treasure” –believing in it after several rough workshops
“In Heaven” – finding the right mix of humor / playing with cliches / the seriousness of grief
“Star of Wonder, Star of Night” – This was one of those rare poems that came out easily. It’s only a few minor tweaks different than the first draft.
Recommend a book for us which was published within the last decade.
This Afterlife, by A. E. Stallings, An Exodus of Sparks by Allisa Cherry, among many others
If you could have a drink with any living author, who would it be? Why?
Poetry-wise, A. E. Stallings because she’s my idol.
Fiction-wise, Roxanne Gay or Lauren Groff because they too are my idols.
What are you working on now? What’s next?
Right now, my first two manuscripts. One is about toxic Christianity and the other is about being single in a couples-oriented society. Next I want to write a collection based on the arias in Don Giovanni.
Our thanks to T. R. Poulson for taking the time to answer a few questions and share these poems. Read “In Heaven;” “Treasure;” and “Star of Wonder, Star of Night” here.
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