YVONNE BROWN
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Today's Feature: A.N. Teibe

4/16/2013

47 Comments

 

National Poetry Month Celebration

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Bio:  Originally from Northern Utah, A.N. Teibe has also lived in Mexico City and Milwaukee. She now happily lives as a transplant to Southern California's Inland Empire. She loves the area's down-to-earth people, its warm winters and abundance of sunny days, dry heat, valleys, canyons, and mountains. She received MFAs from University of California Riverside and California State University San Bernardino. Recent work includes the collaborative chapbooks Operation Lifted Flowers and Blankets and Other Poems: An Anthology for the People of Japan.  She writes poetry, fiction, and genres in-between.  She appreciates--and strives to compose--both "raw" and "cooked" poetry. You may find her work in Badlands, Ekphrasis, Fifth Wednesday, Sand Canyon Review, Chaffey Review, Pacific Review, In Print, and elsewhere. In addition to leading writing workshops for youth and adults in the cities of Riverside and Redlands, California, A.N. is also a yoga instructor and hiking buff. 

 

In Memoriam of Myself

I’d follow my nature
and plan not a funeral
but a celebration

No black on the patrons--
instead, party colors
and music for moving

As elegy speeches
short free verse, some prose
then dancing

salsa, the tango
a show of flamenco
some favorite pieces of
MerceMarthaMarkMorris

No end to desserts
tables lined!  Every creampuff
trifle, torte, and brulée
better to me, since I didn’t bake

I want to fly naked to
crematorium flames, instead
of a casket to cage my remains

Plans to requiem rest and die here:
let a loud funeral march from
the streets of New Orleans
announce me to Heaven

My dust a real miracle now to perform,
no replacing flesh to my long-buried
bones, God will locate
the mites of me scattered
in cosmos resurrect and restore

me whole, renewed, prepared
to join in the song and the dance
ready—at last—to join in the praise

First appeared in Pacific Review Vol. 25

The Interview

On Inspiration 
I often derive inspiration for poems from visual art.  Sometimes this takes the form of an ekphrastic poem--one that describes or comments directly on a piece of art. Other times, art acts as more of an opening--it initially sparks my imagination in some way, but doesn't continue exert much influence on the sound, shape, situation, or subject of poetic composition. In that case, the inspiration piece of art bears little resemblance to the final poetic production. 

The natural landscape inspires me, as well. I don't tend to write pastoral, praise-of-nature poems that lead to some clarity of thought or epiphany (as the English Romantic poets often did).  Rather, I am intrigued by natural processes--such as those that have exerted their influence on landscape over long periods of time.  Not trained as a scientist, I often lack the background knowledge that explains these processes, and the speakers in my poems about landscape are upfront about this. They don't explain the landscape, but write about it from a position of wonder, wonderment, and a desire to understand.

My poet friends inspire me, too. For the last few years, I have regularly worked on collaborative projects with other poets. I suggest poets try collaboration! It provides an opportunity to move beyond one's entrenched, solitary writing habits and requires that some kind of dialogue, push-and-pull, negotiation, and recognition of the other poets' influences occur. Two recent collaborative efforts resulted in chapbooks. The collaborative project I'm currently engaged with continues to morph, but seems as if it's pulling my collaborator and me toward a sound-based long (twenty pages!) poem.  

A Favorite Poet

A favorite poet of mine is the late May Swenson. She and Elizabeth Bishop were contemporaries and friends. Swenson's poetry often reveals the individual mind's quirky observances of things.  Her sensual language, particularly as she uses it in her love poems, moves beyond description--it's truly multi-sensorial.  For example, look up Swenson's poem "Blue" (later renamed "A Trellis for R"). http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15672 

 
For Those Who Find Poetry Threatening
If you're not someone who enjoys poetry, I suggest reading some aloud. So often a rewarding pleasure of poetry is not so much in what it says (meaning or "message-wise"), but in how it's said--which can only properly be appreciated if it's read aloud. Reading aloud allows you to hear the poem's combination of sounds and its rhythms. It also allows you to feel a poem physically. Mouth-pleasure, the enjoyment of feeling a poem's words in your mouth as your speech apparatus works to vocalize, is a sometimes under-recognized aspect of poetry.  As you speak a poem, you may feel its effects not only in the ear and mouth, but also in other parts of your body, as the sound's wavelengths resonate. In this way, poetry is akin to music; we enjoy hearing it and feeling it.    


47 Comments
Rob link
4/17/2013 12:52:54 am

Poem was very good.. I don't know much about them, but i like learning!

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:11:24 pm

Thanks for your support Rob! It means so much!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:09:04 pm

Thanks for reading, Rob!

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Jen @ Existential Evolution link
4/17/2013 01:06:33 am

Wow, beautiful poem and so inspirational! Thanks for sharing!

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:11:52 pm

My pleasure Jen! I enjoy it as well!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:11:34 pm

Thank you, Jen. It's gratifying to read of your positive response.

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Maria Fontaine link
4/17/2013 01:09:24 am

I simply love this poem, it sounds exactly the way I want to go, Yaaaay!! I'm not the one that feels it should be a celebration because I'll be in good hands!! Amen . . . .

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:12:16 pm

Thanks Maria! I am with you on this!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:28:09 pm

I'm so happy the poem spoke to you this way, Maria.

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Connie A Lopez-Hood link
4/17/2013 01:26:05 am

I love this brilliant poet!

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:12:39 pm

I can see why Connie!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:29:32 pm

Thank you, Connie. Sending positive poetry vibes your way, friend.

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Fred link
4/17/2013 01:43:01 am

I like it.

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:13:01 pm

So happy to hear Fred!

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A. N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:31:17 pm

I'm glad. Thank you for your response, Fred.

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Betsy Charlesworth link
4/17/2013 02:11:15 am

Wow Great poem, thanks for sharing

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:34:01 pm

I'm happy you enjoyed it, Betsy.

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Julie Wilson link
4/17/2013 03:07:04 am

I love poetry. I lobe that you can create your thoughts in something wonderful. Thank you

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:35:26 pm

Thanks, Julie. Happy poetry month!

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Deborah link
4/17/2013 03:16:59 am

I loved this poem. And, I really liked the reference to raw vs cooked poetry.

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:26:48 pm

Thank you, Deborah. Raw or cooked, poetry rocks!

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Veronica
4/17/2013 04:59:16 am

Beautiful poem! Love it!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:36:57 pm

Hi, Veronica. Thank you for reading and sharing your lovely response.

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Jessica
4/17/2013 05:50:50 am

This poem was beautiful!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:23:51 pm

I'm glad to hear you think so, Jessica!

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Sasha Lynn link
4/17/2013 10:00:15 am

Yes! Reading poetry aloud is very important to get the full effect. Often times its the difference between stacatto and legato. There is music in the rhythm - or the lack of it. Thank you! Again!

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:13:42 pm

As always...Thank you for your thoughtful comments Sasha!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:22:34 pm

Thanks, Sasha. I hope you get to share some poetry aloud this month!

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Tina Ashburn link
4/17/2013 10:28:35 am

You continue to amaze me. Thanks again for offering these inspirational poems.

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Yvonne Brown
4/17/2013 01:14:35 pm

Thanks for your support Tina! I am so happy that you are enjoying the poets and poems!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:17:54 pm

I second your sentiments about Yvonne, Tina. She's tackled a huge project for poetry month and implementing it beautifully.

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Dov Shapira link
4/17/2013 01:00:13 pm

Se looks way too young for such a poem. But I guess we all at any age deal with death

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:15:58 pm

Dov and Junior, I'm feeling pretty happy today to be described as young. Thanks for making me smile and feel a bit more youthful today.

Thank you for reading and thank you for the comments!

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Junior Doh
4/17/2013 01:42:03 pm

I love the poem, I am surprised, she would write this: she looks a little to young for that.

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:15:27 pm

Dov and Junior, I'm feeling pretty happy today to be described as young. Thanks for making me smile and feel a bit more youthful today.

Thank you for reading and thank you for the comments!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 03:40:08 pm

Thank you again, Yvonne. I'm honored to have been featured. Thank you everyone for reading. Happy poetry month to all. Write some and read some!

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Todd Morgan link
4/17/2013 04:40:13 pm

What a great poem!!

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A.N. Teibe
4/17/2013 06:49:29 pm

Hi, Todd. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the positive response.

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Cindy Rinne link
4/18/2013 08:40:11 am

Collaboration is a great experience that helps to stretch you. Enjoyed your poem and "Blue." You seem to have many secret names!

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A.N. Teibe
4/19/2013 12:54:43 am

Hi, Cindy! I'm so glad you clicked on the link for "Blue!" I love that poem of Swensons's. you should check out more of her poetry.

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Growin' N Luvin' the BIZ! w.Norma Doiron link
4/20/2013 09:47:27 am

Thanks for sharing these poets Yvonne. Entering a new world! :)

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Franklin
4/21/2013 10:02:16 am

I love your poetry. it has taught me so much about poetry itself. I love learning and you have become my poetry teacher :D

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Ian H
5/2/2013 05:36:19 am

Very inspirational poet. You can tell she really has a passion for poetry. One could learn a lot from her.

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Thomas Velez
5/3/2013 01:54:22 am

Your poem was very peaceful. It made me feel if i was in a forest alone. Which isnt a bad thing because that is the time i feel the most conferrable. You are a different poet than what i am use to hearing. The things ive been hearing is about stuffing what they want you to know, but you have a way where your voice soothes you and doesnt force to listin which is good

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A.N. Teibe
5/30/2013 03:19:36 am

Thank you for your kind thoughts, Thomas. I'm happy to read that you find my work differentiates itself because I'm not "stuffing what [I] want [readers] to know." Indeed, I don't aim to preach to or lecture at my readers. Instead, I want them to enjoy the meaning and sounds and emotions of a poem with an openness that invites them in, rather than alienating them.

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Selena
5/11/2013 11:06:09 am

In Memoriam of Me was such a deep poem. My favorite part was the ending that talked about god finding the mites of you was really interesting because it shows how god can recreate and regenerate us.

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Aivars link
12/9/2015 01:27:06 am

Hi!
Nice poem.
Any chance to contact You?
Thank's :)

Reply



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