Thursday, December 20, 2012

Pause Beneath the Majestic--An Interview with Teresa Perin

Teresa Perin and one of her kids!!!!


If I Were a Little Girl
By Teresa Perin

Under the canopy of the ancient maple tree
with its arms lovingly wrapped around me.
We’d have an exclusive club and
we’d only let in the deer and the owl.
My neighbor, the mulberry tree, would
let me feast on her sweet fruit,
staining my fingers dark purple.
If I were a little girl,
I’d stay back in this wild wood
supported by the sturdy trunk of the
giant maple tree.
We’d have a secret word to enter our world
and only tell the fox and the woodpeckers.
I’d reach past the thorns of the raspberry
bush and steal his ripe fruit for a treat.
If I were a little girl
I’d stay in the cooling shade of
the beautiful maple tree
and cry my little girl tears over the
pains of the world, letting the creek
carry away my fears.
The squirrel and frog would keep
my secrets and chatter and sing
a song to cheer me up.
Since I am not a little girl,
I’ll pause beneath the majestic
maple tree and hide away for
only a short time, wishing I
could stay in my secret hideaway,
safe from the worries of the world.
I’d make this my secret hideaway



She lives on a 75 acre farm in central Iowa where she raises has crops, makes her own hay (thankfully), and keeps a variety of animals: chickens, (one lonely little) duck, geese, peafowl, a llama, an ox, two cows, and 45 goats.  Her goat Millie even has her own blog.  She is Teresa Perin of Razzamadazzle, a writer, a photographer, and all around world class Real Toad follower.

When reading Teresa’s work, one will be amazed at her versatility in form and function.  She fearlessly tackles prose and poetry in all forms, weaving in elements of her own experiences to ground the reader with a sense of notability. 

This week I learned even more about Teresa when she agreed to subject herself to my inquiries about life on the North Plains.


Izy:  First round is on me, what are you having?

Teresa:  A glass of my homemade wine.  It's really about all I drink anymore.


Izy: I wouldn’t mind sampling some myself!  You took some time away from poetry in November to participate in NaNoWriMo.  You completed a novel of more than 52,000 words in 20 days....a near deadly pace.  Are you happy with the end result?  Do you think you will write another novel free from the NaNoWriMo rules? And what was it like to participate in such a rigorous exercise?

Teresa:  I loved NaNoWriMo.  It's a challenge, a competition against myself and other people I know.  I might be a bit overly competitive.  The graph to chart my project helped.  I'm also highly visual.  I think I'm satisfied with the results.  I've had a couple of people read it for me.  My nephew with the degree in history checked it for historical accuracy, which it passed the test.  Then of course, my mother liked it.  I have a couple more people reading to get feedback, and then I think I'm ready to move forward, whichever direction that is.

I actually started my second novel a couple weeks ago.  I have my own little excel graph to chart my progress, but it's not like the real thing.  I like that stress of a deadline and pushing myself.  This one is also based on my real life teaching experiences in several placement settings, and it's harder to stay true to that but fictionalize it to protect the innocent and the guilty.


I loved NaNoWriMo.  It's not for everyone because it is a lot of work.  For me, the story simply told itself.  It's not always like that.  I also, sadly, am in a teaching position that is consultative and am bored out of my mind most days, so it was a way for me to do something to entertain myself.  That really sounds bad.


Izy:  Doesn’t sound bad to me, rather it seems restorative and fulfilling.  I like to think of your poetry of having those same qualities.  They are almost fluid in their nature.  You often experiment with forms, free verse, and flash fiction, which is you favorite and which do you find most challenging?

Teresa:  I guess I don't really have a preference.  I love the challenges and trying new things. I guess some of the harder ones would be your sonnets and ballade:  the longer structured poems. 


Izy:  When you open the newspaper, which section do you read first?

Teresa:  Not much of a newspaper reader.  With starting my new job this fall, I got a three-month subscription of the local paper.  I can honestly say I didn't read a single word.  I looked at the cover picture/story, but then I just put them in the cupboard for chicken bedding the next time I get baby birds.


Izy:  When it comes to laundry…..separate the whites and colors or take a chance?

Teresa:  I am more of an old worn and comfy kind of dresser, so there really isn't any chance if my colors and whites get together, but I do separate them because that's what you're supposed to do.


Izy:  I hear you there:  sometimes the expected is too banal to rebel against!  In language, though there is a bit more freedom….What are your three favorite curse words?

Teresa:  Did I mention I tended bar for many years, in a pool hall.  I still fall back to that bartender's language when I get irritated.  Yea, I've been known to drop the f-bomb.  Shit ~ because I tend to have a lot of it on the farm.  Hell.  Probably could get a more accurate response asking the goats. 


Izy: I bet the goats have choice words of their own, too!  To you writing feels like....

Teresa:  It's an escape from reality or boredom.  Or sometimes it's healing.  It can be a journey back in time.  It's different all the time. 


Izy:  You have one quarter left:  do you select your favorite song on the jukebox or play a round of pinball? (Note there is no scenario where your quarter can somehow buy you infinite quarters or be reused)

Teresa:  But if you're obsessive and competitive, that quarter can be used to win more pinball games. 


Izy: Well played indeed!  What are three things you never write about?

Teresa:  I pretty much will write about anything.  Politics would not be a favorite topic, and I never write about specific candidates or issues.  The one thing that makes me all loopy to write is sex, which is weird because I'm not prudish and I can talk about it.  I'm surrounded by it all the time with the animal husbandry, but to write about the physical act makes me horribly uncomfortable.  I don't know why.  But, I will if it's necessary for the topic.  So I don't think there's anything I really would never write about.


Izy:  What is your favorite way to spend a Tuesday night?

Teresa:  It would have to be a summer night, because I'm not a fan of these winter hours.  In the summer, I'm outside on the farm every evening.  I love watching the kids play.  They get wound up about 7 pm, and they are just hilarious to watch.


Izy:  Summer evenings on the farm sound fantastic.  Here’s another scenario:  You've agreed to throw me a birthday party.  Cost is no object.  What venue do you choose?

Teresa:  A couple of midwest girls.  I guess I'd choose a backyard barbecue.  Informal and relaxed surrounded by family and close friends.  I hope your birthday isn't in January.


Izy:  It is in January, but if we have enough homemade wine, a good band and a big enough BBQ pit, it won’t matter!  Do you stay up late or rise early?

Teresa:  By nature, I'm night person.  Loved the hours tending bar.  With much training and discipline and goat milking, I have switched my hours.  Now I'm more of a morning person.  It's still easy on winter break for me to slip into those late night hours.


Izy:  I live about 400 miles north of you, and I understand how grueling the “winter hours” can be.  It’s dark when you wake up, and it gets dark so early.   Let’s explore another dark scenario:  you have been selected to be one of the first people to colonize mars.  Unfortunately NASA will only allow you to bring one book of poetry (little known fact NASA hates poetry), which poet do you choose?

Teresa:  How about an empty notebook for me to fill up?  Better yet, I'd take my good old Norton Anthology so I have poems for every mood.


Izy:  I think NASA may be accommodating enough to let you bring both, if not you can sneak the notebook in my suitcase.  Do you write rough drafts in pen, pencil, or keyboard?

Teresa:  Poetry is always pencil in my spiral notebook.  I did have to switch to keyboard for the novel.


Izy:  What makes a bad poem?

Teresa:  I hate to call any poem bad because that is such a subjective term.  There are so many different preferences and surely someone will like any given poem.  For me personally, I prefer poetry that doesn't make me get out the dictionary and look up every other word.  Poetry is about the emotion, and needing the dictionary beside me kind of ruins that.


Izy:  You are at the airport and can take any flight for free:  where are you going?

Teresa:  New York to visit my goat sisters.  It's amazing the close relationship I've developed with a couple of my fellow goat-loving bloggers.


Izy:  What was your favorite moment of 2012?

Teresa:  Overall, this has been a rough year with drought and the effects of the weather on the goats and switching jobs.  When I actually got to visit my Goat Sisters.  I drove out for the weekend and met them in person.  It was like visiting old friends. I'm grateful to my son for taking care of the farm and letting me have my escape.


Izy:  What is one question you'd like to ask the toads, and they will respond in their comments?

Teresa:  Wow. This is the hardest question.  I know different questions I'd ask different toads, but one question for all.  Hmm...Okay.  For me poetry is all about creating the emotion.  What is the most important thing they think poetry should do?

20 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

What a delightful interview! I really enjoyed the conversation, and the chance to get to know Teresa a little better. (She curses?!)Haha!
For me. poetry is about breaking the barrier between practical language usage (shopping lists, text messages, verbal exchange) and cognitive thinking. It seems to be the most artistic way to express both intellectual thoughts and emotional quotient. And, of course, to allow others to glimpse the inner workings of creative minds by reading their poetry.

Thank you for this wonderful interview, Izy and Teresa.

Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene) said...

I echo Kerry's injection of the interview. the questions were simple and lets us get to know Teresa. Impressive discipline on the 52k book in twenty days. Bet the research took longer. Love her 'If I were a little girl'.

Poetry is the spontaneous emotive expression that puts a semblance of musical beat to it. For me, it's intraspective in simple words and once again if by choice a certain rhythm.

Gracias Isadora and Teresa

Feliz Holidays

Mimi Foxmorton said...

Oh!

BRAVO!

I laughed, I cried! I nodded my head a lot!

It's so YOU!

Most important thing poetry should do: Be written. After that, sky's the limit on where it takes a reader!

Huzzah, luv! You were born to write!

*hugs*
Mimi

ps. I'm glad the fox and the woodpecker have the secret word......... ;)


Susan said...

Thanks for this interview in your inimitable style, Izzy. Teresa, I love the opening poem with its trees and animal bonding. It does what you say poetry should do--moves me to feel. I love the ways it helps me bring childhood into the present, by making the healing, habitual, and healthy connections, by moving us to remember and acknowledge. What should it do? That, as you say, and more. For me, the act of writing is like ministry in Quaker Meeting, standing as led to tell a story. I see and feel more through it. And I do not know, necessarily, who the ministry is for--only that I must put it out there today and for a while the focus brings me peace.

Unknown said...

this was my first read of the day, and I am glad that is the case. Great interview, Izy. And Teresa, I wish you could meet my Goat Friend, Norma, here in Tucson. You even look like sisters!

Like Teresa, I think poetry is about emotion. As a writer, it provides a conduit (literally) for release. From the reader, an immediate emotional or gut response is the sign of a good piece.

As times go by I also think poetry can be used as a vehicle for goodness, light, elevation.

Marian said...

what a great interview! you know, i too love NaNoWriMo for the same reasons you list, Teresa. being all competitive & stuff, somehow it just works. i did it LAST year but couldn't quite get my shit together this year. another idea, in all the other months, might be for those who are interested to pace ourselves together, to create that kind of competition? i'd be down for that sometime.
i think poetry should unearth something and elicit a gut, internal reaction from the reader, to get their heart and/or mind involved.

Maude Lynn said...

52,000 words in only 20 days? Wow!

For me, poetry has to sing!

Helen said...

Great interview! So nice to meet Teresa, learn more about her life in Iowa.
(Izy, you ask great questions!)

Poetry transports me, takes me out of myself, delights me, entertains me, forces me to ponder, to feel ~~ GOOD poetry does all of this.

Happy Holidays

Kay L. Davies said...

I loved this interview. I can't help but be fascinated by Teresa and the goats. Two goat kids were once foisted on me (I had nowhere to keep them) by a lunatic relative who bought them, then changed her mind, so demanded I find them a home. They were adorable, and I'd have loved to have kept them. I did find them a loving home on a farm, but I've thought about them ever since.
The most amazing thing about this interview, however, is Teresa. How can a person have a farm, and a job, and write 52,000 coherent words in one month? It blows me away. Sure, I could type far more words than that, but with a story? With a plot? With characterization? Wow!
Teresa, you are one in a million. I am so glad you were able to escape to visit your Goat Sisters, although I'll bet a part of you was homesick while you were away.
K

Margaret said...

Izy - you are the most interesting interviewer ... watch out Barbara Walters! (seriously)

I'm thrilled to learn more of Teresa as I have enjoyed her for quite a while now. I grew up with a goat, my sister's goat, Tulip, - she was a Saanen goat - and quite sassy! :) - she didn't care for me - I guess I played a bit too roughly when she was young... king of the hill is fun with a baby, but NOT a full grown goat. She always saw me as "competition".

What should poetry do for me? Tap into emotions, for sure. Some poets write only non-fiction, about themselves. I like to make things up, imagine situations, stories. I've been writing for a short time - just over two years, so I certainly hope to see improvement, growth. And of course, The Toad's have helped with that immeasurably.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I so enjoyed this interview. Teresa, you are living my sister's dream. We have a teensy "farm", two acres and a horse, but long for more. I love the sound of all your critters. The opening poem is very wonderful. also full of critters. I so love it! A good poem makes me feel something - and your work certainly does that!

Teresa said...

You guys are great! I love Real Toads and the poetry challenges. It's nice having so many people get together to enjoy a common interest.

Peggy said...

Wonderful interview, and thank you both. You asked a hard question about what we think the most important thing that poetry does is. (how's that for a lovely double verb?) For me I think it should express an emotion or idea in a way that speaks to people and makes them stop and listen. I guess it should make people stop and consider.

Ella said...

I love this interview! I so wish we could all meet at your farm :D
It sounds amazing~
So nice to learn more about Teresa~
A good poem, for me is about painting a new view or seeing one~
Great job Izy and Teresa :D

Susie Clevenger said...

What a awesome interview!! I am like Ella, I wish I could meet you at the farm. I love getting to know more about the writer...thanks Izy for the great interview and Teresa for your wonderful responses.

For me poetry should make the reader feel something. When I write, I am emotionally invested in it and I hope that is carried through to the reader.

Lolamouse said...

Another great interview! I love the way the personalities of both Toads emerge throughout.

For me, poetry should evoke emotion or thought. At least, that's the kind of poetry I like!

Grace said...

Great feature and interview questions Izy ~ Thanks for this ~

Teresa, I live and work in the city so your world is totally fascinating to me. I enjoy your down to earth writing and learning more about you ~

For poetry is about connection, mine and the reader ~

Herotomost said...

Yay!!!!! Awesome interview and such an interesting woman. For that last question...my answer would be to pull back the covers and expose the wound or the wonder. Emotion is king but only when based in reality and the context of being human. Great work girls!!!!!!!

Kateri said...

Love the poem and the the closer peek into Teresa's life.

Hannah said...

So wonderful you two!!! A lovely mental trip into the life of Teresa...a joy to read, thank you for sharing yourself with us, Teresa and Izzy for asking all the great questions...Bravo!!! :)'s