THE TOAD CHAT SHOW ~ SANAA AND SHERRY

Hello, Toad friends. It is Sanaa and Sherry, chatting about poetry today. Thanks for joining us!

Sanaa: I have always admired your writing style, tell me about Wild Woman and her perspective on nature? 

Sherry: I have always been in love with nature. When I moved to Clayoquot Sound in 1989, ecstatically surrounded by wilderness, my wild nature came fully into being.  My inner Wild Woman began to appear in my poems. She had an ancient voice and, when she appeared, she was the one writing the poem. I sat back and let her do it.

Once I began blogging, in 2010, she began to show up more frequently. One April during NaPoWriMo, she wrote every poem. Each morning I sat before the keys and began tapping. It was like taking dictation. There is a definite difference when I am writing the poem and when Wild Woman is: her voice is an inner, wise voice. She knows things. Sometimes she tells me truths I did not realize I knew. When it’s just me, it is more like putting words down on the page. When it is Wild Woman, the poem feels like it is coming through me. Big difference.

I suspect she is my wildish nature, which is one with the sky and the trees and the creatures of the earth. I am always happy when she shows up, but I can’t make her do it. She comes only when she wishes.

Sanaa: That sounds wonderful, Sherry! I think it’s a blessing to be one with nature.

Sherry: When did you first begin writing poetry, Sanaa, and is there something, looking back at your childhood, that you think contributed to your becoming a poet?

Sanaa: I believe it was destiny that led me to writing poetry in 2015. I still remember my earliest poem “Looking for a Reason” whose words I penned down in a journal and later posted online when I had begun blogging. On the surface it might appear like an ordinary poem but people who are close to me know that there is story, truth, and deeper meaning; that there is always a hidden piece of heart and soul in my writing.

According to my mother, poetry runs far and wide in her family bloodline. Her father held a great interest in writing romantic poetry, whereas her mother’s paternal uncle, (my great grandfather), was a renowned poet whose work is taught in universities even in these times. So, it is safe to state that poetry was in my blood.

Sherry: I would say so, too. What an amazing background!

Sanaa: What are your views on poetry forms and how significant do you feel they are in terms of writing?

Sherry: Forms are a weak spot with me. I believe they are the true test of a poet, and am in awe of those, like you, who execute many intricate forms seemingly effortlessly. I usually avoid them, because I am old and tired, and tend to take the easy path these days. However, I know I should try the occasional form. Every now and then, I set out to write a pantoum, because that particular form, for some reason, comes more easily to me.

I very much admire your facility with forms. You are fearless. You try everything, and I applaud you for it!

Speaking of form and style, when you first arrived on the blogging scene, I was blown away by the way your poems echoed the style of the Old Masters. Your talent for poetry, at your young age, is impressive. Over the months and years, I feel we have been hearing more of your own personal voice emerging, with no loss of effect. If anything, I love your poems even more. Is there a story about this transition?

Sanaa: Thank you so much, Sherry! That is really kind of you to say so. It all started with a conversation in June last year with my dear friend Magaly, during which she gave me valuable advice. She told me that one doesn’t necessarily need to write to every other prompt that is out there; rather one should opt to write on a topic that speaks to the heart and soul. Her words left a huge impact on me and so the transition slowly began.

I started writing less frequently, and to prompts which I felt I could truly relate to. I learned that it was all right to be open about sharing feelings and viewpoints.

Now, whenever I come across a prompt, I take time to figure out how I perceive and feel about it before letting the words flow. For instance, on 22nd April when we were offered an excellent prompt by Susie Clevenger, “Poets of April.”

I had chosen to write on a quote by Carolyn Forche and thought to learn a bit of background about it before writing. As I read on, an unusual thing happened; before I knew it I’d logged in and written my poem “An Open Letter to Spring” in less than ten minutes! I guess I was overwhelmed by the emotions behind her words and was able to relate to them. Sigh, so yeah … that’s the story.

W.S Mervin once said: “Poetry addresses individuals in their most intimate, private, frightened and elated moments because it comes closer than any other art form to addressing what cannot be said. In expressing the inexpressible, poetry remains close to the origins of language.” 

I recently came across your poem “The Wild Bird of One’s Being” and fell absolutely head over heels in love with it, as it adheres to the quote by Mervin. Please share your feelings and views on both your poem and the quote stated above?

Sherry: I agree with the quote. In fact, looking back at poems I wrote when I was younger, I am amazed to discover my inner voice was speaking truths I consciously did not know that I knew. I could write the words, but did not fully comprehend the truth they were telling me at that time.

THE WILD BIRD OF ONE’S BEING

Birds cross the sky in covens,
this golden autumn-of-my-life.
My eyes follow their flight,
my soul quickening to the sound
of their honking admonition:
follow the predestined route!
Find your way home!

The Voice of My Tribe croons a chant
that murmurs on the breeze.
I feel the winds of change blowing through
the drafty chambers of my
just-before-winter heart.

The Old Ones are telling me:
Time to open the door of the cage
and free the wild bird of your being,
the one you have been hushing
and placating with crumbs
for so long.

Free her with joy, and,
as her wide wings swoop and thrum
across the shimmering sky,
traveling between the worlds
in the space-where-there-is-no-space,
along the-way-where-there-is-no-way,
heed the call of those wild birds.

They are giving voice to
the longings of your soul.

Lift up that expectant, waiting life
with the urgency
of not-much-time,
and, if you're ever going to fly again
as, once, you flew,
do it soon,
do it completely.
Do it now.

“The Wild Bird of One’s Being” is a truth-telling poem. When I wrote it, I was living in Port Alberni. I had been offered a spot in Tofino but had momentarily become anxious, overwhelmed, and influenced by others’ opinions. I declined it. Immediately, I knew this was a mistake. But when I called back saying I wished to accept it, the spot was already gone. I paid dearly for that momentary lack of courage and trust. I was depressed for some time. I knew if I were to be given another chance, there was only one possible response: YES!

The poem expresses how often, in my life, I have put others’ needs and wishes before my own, placating myself with crumbs, instead of attending the feast. Time to “open the door of the cage and free the wild bird of my being”. Given my age, there was the urgency of time. So “If you’re ever going to fly again as, once, you flew, do it soon, do it completely, do it now.”

It was three years before the call came again. I had almost accepted that it might never come. Needless to say, there was no hesitation this time!

Sanaa: Thank you so much, Sherry. I feel honored that you chose to share the story behind the words and glad that the call came again. Smiles.

Sherry: Me, too! Recently, I was blown away by your poem “Ode to a Passionate Muse”. Would you tell us about this poem? Can you go into more detail about what writing and poetry mean to you? What makes the words catch fire for you? What makes a poem sing? When do you know it is finished?

ODE TO A PASSIONATE MUSE

In my darkest days you are the first
glow of dawn that lights the sky,
your pain is as though splitting of
seashell that hems in understanding.

I am muse, I am song, yet I am woe
which others reckon their own,
as unadulterated heart I am sound
of the sea crashing upon rocks.

I wish to write words to delve deep
into the poetic mind and retrieve
irrevocable nothings that touch,
hear and taste a world which keeps
me from being myself.

I, am forever bound, to ameliorate
agony of knowing desire better.

Sanaa: Sigh... I remember this poem as if it was written yesterday. It was for Susie Clevenger's prompt where she had featured Frida Kahlo. The poem 'Ode to a Passionate Muse' is a glimpse of my sub-conscious. It's everything I have ever felt about poetry since the day I began writing.

I believe poetry is like a one-sided conversation where one has to express, keeping in mind that nothing should be left out and that there should be no room for confusion.

To me, the muse is as though a calling, a strong inner impulse toward a course of action. It's like listening to the heartbeat and attempting to translate rhythm into words and image. 

Keeping in harmony with the quote by Kahlo, I sought to describe myself in the process of fulfilling the desires of muse, hence the closing lines.

When I sit down to write, I focus more on emotion rather than imagery because I believe if a reader is able to relate to the poem, only then do the words truly sing. It's when I have managed to pour a bit of soul into my poem is when I know it's finished.

Sherry: That is a very good description: pouring a bit of soul into your poem. Thank you, Sanaa. Working with you has been a pleasure.

We hope you enjoyed this little chat, poet friends. Thank you for reading.