Interview by 89 magazine staff
As we all know P.S 89 each year has their annual poetry slam for middle school students in which students get to share out poems and get to listen to poem. That’s why for this special occasion coming up in May 13th we have talked to Joe, who is a Poetry Slam host himself back in California. We ask him some questions that can be seen on the bottom of this and he responded with some marvelous answers, check them out.
1. Why did you write the poem “Cool”? Is there a meaning behind this poem?
I was watching VH1 one night and I thought that they were trying too hard to be "cool." The host looked silly in black leather pants. I then started thinking about all of the things that I think aren't cool. My goal was to find things that others identify with but maybe never share. Then I think it's important to give examples of things that I think are cool. I believe in finding positive examples in my poetry as opposed to only criticizing. If you are critical of something in society than I hope you have an alternative.
2. Where did you get your ideas and your inspiration from?
I keep notes as I go along in my day. My iPhone "notes" is used non-stop throughout the day. My "cool" piece is something that I am constantly revising, working to keep it fresh for me.
3. Do you dedicate poems to people or Are your poems based in real memories and stories or are they fiction?
A little bit of both. Most are based in a truth. But I sometimes will extrapolate for dramatic purposes.
4. When did you start to write poems?
I started keeping a journal when I was twelve. I started writing poetry in college. I remember the night that one of my best friends, Juanita Capri Brown, suggested that I just write everything down. It was a great outlet and relief! My brain felt lighter.
5. I believe that this poem was to someone that always thought that everything they did was cool, am I right?
Sorta. It's directed at the media. Too often I feel like they are trying to force us to eat certain things, watch certain things, etc. Now that we have the internet, there's a lot more personal freedom. The consumer has a lot more control.
6. How many poems do you write in one day? How many poems can you write in a week?
Hmm. It depends. Today's a good day. It's pretty quiet in my apartment and I'm not too distracted by facebook. I can probably write one today. Deadlines are critical. They help A LOT. When I have a deadline, I can knock out a poem in one sitting. Otherwise, I may get caught up or distracted.
7. What is your favorite category to write about?
I like poking fun at myself. It's sometimes hard to find the comedy in some of the darker situations. But that's what I like to do.
8. Do your poems just come to mind?
I keep notes. If something keeps running past my mind, I will finally sit down and write it. For example, when I was home in Chicago, I found myself getting emotional while shoveling snow. I paid attention to how and why I was feeling that way, how it felt outside and, later that night, I sat down and wrote out a first draft. It's important to finish a draft when you first sit down. It doesn't matter how good it is. Just finish it. I have problems doing that sometimes.
9. When you were small did you enjoy writing poems?
Nope. I was an actor. I didn't write
10. Is it difficult writing poems and finding inspiration?
For me, I never have a hard time being inspired. My problem comes with sitting down and staying focused on one idea at a time.
11. How old were you when you started writing poems?
Beginning of college.
12. Do you have kids? If so did you teach them about poems? And if not would you teach them about poems?
No kids. I would share Langston Hughes with them.
13. Do you have any favorites poets?
Langston Hughes, Saul Williams, Sandra Cisneros (especially her story "eleven" in Women Hollering Creek.)
14. Which poem have you most liked that you have made?
Gosh. I like "Cool" a lot. Those closing lines always resonate with me when I perform this piece.
15.How much poems have you wrote in this past years?
Not sure. Here's a pic of my poetry folder. This is just the past month or so to give you an idea of how my brain and writing process works. Several different pieces, several different drafts. You can see that "Cool" has its own folder because I have so many different versions.
16. What is the definition of poem to you?
Something incredibly personal that speaks to a universal truth. Revealing. Honest. Doesn't need to be in a certain form. Doesn't need to have a certain metaphor. It just needs to be truly you. Something that no one else can share.
17. What advice you have for young poets?
Don't judge. Keep writing. Keep sharing. You'll be surprised by how many people connect with you.
18. Is it hard work to think of poems?
Nope. It can be hard to share them though. You have to be very brave to reveal some of your most intimate thoughts.
19. Do you always rhyme?
Nope. Not at all.
20. Has anything bad happen in your life?
Hmm. Yes and no. Some of the "bad" things that have happened in my life have truly been some of the most eye-opening and transformative experiences. For example, my mom died a few years ago and it has opened me up in brand new ways. I believe that I'm a better man now.
21. Do you listen to music while you’re writing your poems?
Not really. I need it to be quiet. Unless I'm writing a rap piece. Then I play the same beat OVER AND OVER again as I write so I can make sure that my flow fits the rhythm.
21. Is writing poems a hobby or you just write poems once a week or something like that?
Not a hobby. It's part of my career.
22. How did you first hear about poetry?
Dunbar's poem
23. Have you written any bad poems?
Tons.
24. What do you like about writing poetry?
The ability to really delve into what's happening in my brain and share it and hopefully feel that connection when other people say, "Oh my god, I know exactly what you're talking about!"
25. When are you planning to come to New York City?
Soon hopefully. I'd love to come visit you guys! Maybe next fall?
26. What other hobbies do you have?
I love boxing and I love afro-brazilian dance. Those are two of my main outlets.
27. Does writing poems help you get away from stress?
Yes.
28. Do you sometimes have headaches writing poems?
Not really.
Thanks for the GREAT questions!!
Love,
Joe
