Joyelle McSweeney discusses integrating poetic elements into everyday life, crafting poetry in a peripheral location, creating a crown of sonnets dedicated to John Keats, unveiling hidden atrocities through poetry, recounting personal experiences with hearing loss, recounting a heartbreaking journey through hospital stays, overcoming a writing block through rules and style icons, and reflecting on loss and beauty through tactile memories.
Poetry encompasses life, not just verses, promoting a poetic existence.
Creativity thrives in overlooked locations, challenging urban poetry stereotypes.
Deep dives
The Process of Becoming a Poet
Becoming a poet involves living life in poetry rather than just writing poems. Joyelle McSweeney emphasizes expanding the idea of poetry to encompass all aspects of life, highlighting that poetry is not simply about crafting verses but about embodying a poetic existence. The podcast delves into the concept that the broader one's perception of poetry, the more enriched and profound one's life becomes.
Poetry Influence in South Bend
As a poet residing in South Bend, a city often overlooked as cosmopolitan, Joyelle McSweeney illuminates the significance of creating poetry from a peripheral place. She challenges the notion that poetic pursuits are confined to metropolitan hubs, emphasizing the power of emanating creativity from seemingly overlooked locations.
Word Horne Exercise
Joyelle McSweeney discusses the 'Word Horne' exercise aimed at exploring the depth of language. By prompting individuals to gather words unique to their personal experiences and environments, the exercise serves as a creative venture in expanding vocabulary and exploring the intricacies of language.
Exploring Extreme Literature
Following the tragic loss of her daughter, McSweeney found solace in extreme literature rather than traditional consolatory works. She accentuates the role of poetry in addressing calamities and catastrophes, embracing the ethos of extreme literature that dares to confront the complexities and turmoil of human existence.