Today's Feature: Brian Hood

4/12/2013

National Poetry Month Celebration

Bio: Brian Hood is a high school English teacher living in the mountains of southern California. He has been recently published in "Straight Forward," "Tongue Mag," and "Blankets and other Poems." For better and worse, he has been teaching long enough to see his student's poetry published. But with his wife, kids, and dogs all is amazing.....life is sweet.

Star struck

300 sextillion stars in the universe

And God is going to help me pay my bills?

The lines on my forehead are deeper than they used to be

That old girlfriend?

Likely doesn’t remember my name

She’s been through three husbands.

and the Teflon on my favorite fry pan has worn off

fried eggs hold on like a starfish to its rock home.

The Teflon inside my digestive tract

Is likely more harmful than the lead in Chinese toys.

Every week a new announcement of death from overseas

The Hot Wheels I loved as a kid

are killing me today

So – given my karma lately –

I probably have a baseball-sized tumor.

God? Are you there?

No, it’s not Margaret

It’s me and I don’t think you care.

Do I care if I kill an ant?

Or cripple him? (I should make him play with my lead-addled Hot Wheels.)

No, I go about my business

making life difficult for ants.

The Interview

Where do you find inspiration to write poetry?
I find inspiration everywhere, and not at all. I have to force myself to write with or without some amazing idea. Sometimes good words just come out through put a bunch of stuff on paper. Most of my inspiration has come from my wife encouraging and "nagging" me to just write something.

What advice do you have for people that are threatened by poetry?
My students are often threatened by poetry. Usually it's because of the poetry they've been compelled to read. By exposing them to poetry that's gripping, funny, unexpected, and relevant to their lives, they often come to enjoy it.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I've been in five movies without uttering a single word. I want to add "Professional Extra" to my resume.

Where do you live? Where are you from?
I've lived in Portland, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Long Beach, and Big Bear. I don't think I'm settled yet.

Who is your favorite poet?
My favorite poet is anyone who writes something which provokes me to think. I can't name a favorite because it may be different with the next poem I read.

34 Comments

Christian link

4/11/2013 09:52:32 pm

It's gotta be a cool thing to have a passion for something, be able to share and teach others, and then see them succeed as well.

That, to me, is the true measure of success...being able to pass it on.

Yvonne Brown

4/14/2013 11:36:09 pm

Thanks for your meaningful comment Christian! I appreciate your contribution!

Tina Ashburn link

4/11/2013 11:36:13 pm

whoa. This is pretty heavy stuff.

4/14/2013 11:36:42 pm

Thanks for your thoughtful post Tina! Yes! It is "heavy!"

Deborah link

4/12/2013 12:09:07 am

That poem brought about a very visual image. I like when poetry does that.

4/14/2013 11:37:12 pm

Great to hear Deborah! What was the visual?

Dov Shapira link

4/12/2013 12:11:55 am

"Star Struck' What a great poem. I love it

4/14/2013 11:37:37 pm

Thanks for your support Dov! Glad you like it!

Rob link

4/12/2013 12:25:19 am

wow crazy!!

Fred link

4/12/2013 12:44:00 am

I think it's easier to write negative poetry than it is to write positive...

Jana

4/12/2013 01:59:29 am

Pain in love produces great poets and saxophone players..

4/14/2013 11:38:19 pm

LOL! Jana! So true! Love the saxophone players part too!

Stephanie Surratt link

4/12/2013 04:35:30 am

I think it is funny that Brian says his wife 'nags' him to write poetry! Beautiful!

4/14/2013 11:39:21 pm

I thought that part was cute. His wife is also a poet and she was featured on the blog in the first week. She is equally awesome! I am so honored to be connected with such talent!

teresa link

4/12/2013 04:40:41 am

Seems very passionate about his poem:)

Loretta link

4/12/2013 05:12:59 am

I love reading about teachers devoted to making a difference in the lives of their students!!!

Teri link

4/12/2013 05:19:00 am

It is encouraging that it doesn't just flow out of him all the time.

Meli link

4/12/2013 05:19:23 am

Time for me to take a course in poetry.

Veronica

4/12/2013 05:45:39 am

Poetry is such a great way to vent, just get it all out

Laurie Hagedorn link

4/12/2013 06:42:57 am

I like it. It's interesting.

Sasha Lynn link

4/12/2013 07:14:12 am

Wow. The story draws you in. Wonderful. <3

Heather Petersen

4/12/2013 02:17:25 pm

It's interesting. Love it!

Stella

4/14/2013 01:37:51 pm

I had to read his poem because he was an English teacher lol. He's definitely one of a kind. I do admit I had to retread his poem 3 times in order to digest its meaning.

Kolleen

4/15/2013 09:22:14 am

This is the most interesting interview I have read so far on this blog. He makes poetry seem more enjoyable. Great poem, too.

Nadir S.

4/15/2013 12:36:55 pm

Nice poem i enjoyed reading it

George L

4/16/2013 07:58:22 am

I agree with him on the interview about not having a favorite poet because every new poem does make me change my previous opinion.

Adeola Odutola

4/16/2013 08:07:50 am

Very Unique Poem.

Jessica

4/17/2013 05:59:45 am

This is art, and he shows his fearlessness in presenting his story in such intricate wording that leaves you speechless!

Junior Doh

4/17/2013 01:56:27 pm

Very Unique and Interesting work. I enjoyed it

Franklin

4/21/2013 10:14:36 am

Wonderful poetry and amazing personality. You are very unique and very talented

Michael

5/1/2013 11:54:16 am

Mr. Adams once said you should read a poem three times, and that is what I did with Brian Hood's poem. From what I read, it seems that Hood could be an agnostic or an atheist.

Ian H

5/2/2013 05:43:03 am

I read this poem over, at least 6 times. Its really deep. I feel like this poem has some heavy stuff in it. This is one of those poems that actually makes you sit and think about them.

Kylie Holliday

5/2/2013 07:17:12 am

I love the reality in your poetry

Rex Modica

9/11/2015 10:08:48 am

Im staring at him right now. What a great poem. That old girlfriend? Great addition! Hes my english teacher