YVONNE BROWN
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Eric Atkinson

4/2/2015

20 Comments

 

National Poetry Month Celebration 2015

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Bio: Eric Atkinson is currently a PhD. student at University of California, Riverside, studying African American Literature with an emphasis in comics, highlighting representations of the African American body. A former McNair Scholar and the 2008 winner of the S. Randolph Edmonds Young Scholar Competition, Mr. Atkinson has published “The Griot: The Rhetorical Impetus of African American Fiction” in the online journal of Gnovis, "Migraine" a short story in CSUSB's Pacific Review, the poem “to get there” Claremont Graduate’s Foothill Journal, vol. 2 issue 1, “Post Script for Gabriel Posser” in Verse/Chorus: A Call and Response Anthology, and short story “And the Rocket’s Red Glare” and the poem "Jane Russell's Pose: Or What You Will" in The Chaffey Review: A Creative Collective XI: The informed (un)American. Mr. Atkinson, a member of Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Golden Key Society, and  is currently working on his dissertation on the discrepancy between social narratives and the lived social realities through a focus on representations of the African American body in graphic novels.

The Interview

1.  Where do you draw your inspiration from to write poetry?
 
I think where is a misnomer in that location has little or nothing to do with poetic articulation as the simplest and easiest answer, for me, is how the play of language that poetry demands allows me to see (see in the sense of knowing, understanding) me through that play. To me poetry is the confluence of the senses articulated in a way that it traditionally missed or dismissed. Poetry relies on the emphasis of the metaphor, the reliance of language's inherent paradox of being something and simply representing it. 
 
2. What advice do you have for someone that is threatened by poetry?

I don't think I could as anyone who is threatened is automatically defensive. Besides, if they are defensive it means they've already decided and concluded: ideas can be argued with determinations and definites are fixed and cannot be moved. Why would I advise? But I would try to understand their position, their rationale, and their approach. My thinking is if I can understand this person better, their thinking better, I can become a better human
 
3. What is an interesting fact about you? 

 I've donated nearly 10 gallons of blood, I'm dyslexic, and I once stopped a robbery at a Wal-Mart.
 
4. Where are you from/Where do you live?

I am from a little town in the Mojave Desert, Victorville.  I now reside in the same city where I am receiving my PhD, Riverside, CA.

5. Who is your favorite poet?

I don't really have a favorite poet as I am always attracted to the poetry in the mundane, the quotidian. For instance in Dr. Fred Moten's academic prose, there is a sense of poetry, a sense of a reliance of metaphor instead of linguistic precision: to me his work is an articulation of the phenomenal as it communions with wonder, with meaning. And it is through these metaphors that I can know what he's talking about through the inclusion of something from me. Does that make sense?  

A poem by Eric Atkinson

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Please share  your reaction below.  
The energy you contribute transcends your imagination.
20 Comments
Honcho Mars
4/1/2015 11:47:07 pm

Enjoyed reading your work look forward to reading more in future. Many Blessings.

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:23:36 pm

Thanks for supporting a fellow poet Honcho!! Hugs!

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Eric Atkinson
8/15/2017 06:54:59 pm

Thank you so much (sorry for the late reply)

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Lisa Beinschroth
4/2/2015 01:35:00 am

Very impressive Eric! Very proud of you and your accomplishments!

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:24:10 pm

Thanks for your support Lisa!

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Eric Atkinson
8/15/2017 06:56:40 pm

Thank you very much. I think my grandpa said it best: Them things ain't me, just what I done. It helps keep me focused and grounded

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Shelly link
4/2/2015 01:39:33 am

I'm so proud of you!

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:24:43 pm

Thanks for your support Shelly!

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Jamie
4/2/2015 02:25:53 am

Eric,
You are by far one of the most gifted and talented people I know.
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your gift with others!
Excellent job, sir!

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:25:20 pm

Such kind words Jamie! Yes, it is a gift!

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Eric Atkinson
4/2/2015 02:56:45 am

Thanks to Yvonne Brown for choosing me. I sincerely appreciate it!

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:29:26 pm

Dear Eric,

I am honored to feature your work. I am moved to see how many people it is touching throughout social media. Simply beautiful.

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sean raney
4/2/2015 10:23:06 am

Wonderful.

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:29:52 pm

Thanks for stopping by Sean! Agreed!

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Denise Hignite
4/2/2015 11:26:36 am

Pretty amazing how much you have achieved! Great job, sir

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:30:30 pm

Hi Denise! Thanks for sharing a thoughtful line.

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Elizabeth. Zamora
4/4/2015 07:18:59 am

Great job eric!!😄😄
You have done great things with your life very proud of you friend.

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:31:15 pm

Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth! Your kind words mean so much!

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David Merica
4/4/2015 01:35:26 pm

Way to go Eric. Congrats. It is a pleasure calling you my brother and not just a friend.

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YVONNE
4/6/2015 01:32:26 pm

Thanks for stopping by David! Beautiful words for your brother.

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