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Today's Feature: Van G. Garrett

4/19/2013

38 Comments

 

National Poetry Month Celebration

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Bio:  Van G. Garrett (also known as Fui Koshi) is an internationally celebrated artist and author.  As a visual artist, Van’s/ Fui’s photography, videos, and paintings have been on display or utilized by the museum of Fine Arts Houston; the University of Rhode Island; Rice University; the International Film Channel (IFC); the Indie Black Film Festival; The Aurora Picture Show; HBO’s The Wire: Spoken Word Battle; The Source, and Capitol Records.  As a literary artist, Van has received numerous awards and fellowships, including a Book in a Day Fellowship (Italy); Dr. Kwame Nkrumah International Study Scholarship (Ghana); a Poets & Writers, Inc. Readings/ Workshops Grant; an Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation Scholarship to attend a Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship; a Hurston/Wright Fellowship for poetry; two Callaloo Creative Writing Fellowships; and a Great River Arts Institute Fellowship.  Additionally, he has served as a judge for the National Poetry Slam.

His poetry has been published in journals and anthologies based in the United States, Africa, Switzerland, Turkey and London.  Van has served as a referee for the International Journal of Asian Philosophical Association (IJAPA), and his reviews and articles have appeared in African American Review, Film and History: The Documentary Tradition (CD-ROM); and the Encyclopedia of African American History: 1896 to the Present; From the Age of Segregation to the 21st Century,  Oxford University Press.  His debut collection of poetry, Songs in Blue Negritude, is published by Xavier Review Press (2008).  His touring schedule and events can be found at www.vanggarrettpoet.com. 

Van earned his MAIS from the University of Houston-Victoria and his B.A. from Houston Baptist University.  He is the first student to receive a graduate certificate in African American Studies from the University of Houston.


porcelain: a love poem

(cinema paradiso by chris botti playing in the background)

i never thought i would write
porcelain

the word seems reserved for beautiful poems
my hands have yet to write

flecked with brilliance
like markings on koi fish:

porcelain—evoking thoughts
of a saucer lined with watercolored blue flowers

holding hands like schoolchildren
playing at recess

should be composed in a special poem
about love

uncommon and protected
safely nestled in a china cabinet

with elaborately carved lines
swirled like tuscan grapevines or calligraphy

a penned poem honoring my grandparents
who won me a pair of pajamas at a bingo game

gave me my first hundred dollar bill
when i graduated from high school

provided me with sheets
to cover my dorm bed in college

prayed for my
goings out and comings in

separately but equally fed me--
loved to see me devour heaps of food

piled unto plates that were only special
because we sat around them

like friends in playing circles at recess
or intricate flowers rounding a porcelain bowl  

 

The Interview

Where do you draw your inspiration from to write poetry?

I’m inspired by music and “on the road” experiences. I enjoy traveling/touring. When I’m in a new city, state, or country I find inspiration in new places, new people, and new experiences.

What advice do you have for someone that is threatened by poetry?

Poetry doesn’t have to be threatening. The best way that I can answer that question is via a poem published in my first book, Songs in Blue Negritude:


it’s okay

a poem doesn’t have to be hard

or complicated

it can be soft

and easy

like a cloud or ripple

on a lake

it can be wonderful like a birthday

or a party--

as good as thick icing on a vanilla cake

it doesn’t need to say too much

but it should tell a story

it is a way to express your emotions:

the    funny       wonderful     and scary

What is an interesting fact about you? 
I sometimes buy coloring books and Crayons to help me relax (usually in a hotel) before a show or event.  Van is also a certified USA Amateur Boxing Coach.

Where are you from / Where do you live?

I was born in Wharton, TX (south of Houston). I live in Houston, consider Austin my second home, and I try to get to the East Coast as often as possible. Usually in the summer and/or fall.

Who is your favorite poet?
That is a trick question. I can’t choose one. There are too many to name. I consider songwriters and rappers poets. I like Nikki Giovanni, Adrian Matejika, A. Van Jordan, Terrance Hayes, John Mayer, Jay-Z, Eminem, and a host of others to be my “favorites”.

Upcoming Event

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Current Exhibit
http://www.vanggarrettpoet.com/boxing-art-exhibit.html

Latest Published Poem: http://stepawaymagazine.com/

Workshops: http://www.vanggarrettpoet.com/events.html

38 Comments
Steph link
4/18/2013 08:54:23 pm

'Piled on plates that were only special because we sat around them'. BEAUTIFUL!

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Jana link
4/18/2013 09:56:14 pm

I like your circular imagery, saucers and dinner plates, flower wreaths, children and circle games, and family around a table. Evoked times joy !

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Yvonne Brown
4/18/2013 10:37:56 pm

Thanks for your support Jana!!!

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Yvonne Brown
4/18/2013 10:36:50 pm

Thanks Steph!

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Betsy Charlesworth link
4/18/2013 11:17:46 pm

beautiful

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Yvonne Brown
4/19/2013 12:05:17 am

I am so glad you think so Betsy!! Thanks for your support!

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Rob link
4/18/2013 11:52:08 pm

I like how he relaxes and takes a step backwards in time and zones out everything until he has to go out and perform.

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Yvonne Brown
4/19/2013 12:05:41 am

Thanks Rob!!! Rob is a cool guy!

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Maria Fontaine link
4/19/2013 12:13:22 am

Yes, I love Nikki Giovanni, I name my younger son after her, thank you for show us that poetry can be simply stated and nothing to fear!!

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Deborah link
4/19/2013 12:26:13 am

What a great poem. It's so true that the things we think are not special end up being the most special. It's because of the special people.

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Carol Ann link
4/19/2013 12:27:13 am

beautiful poetry!

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Dani link
4/19/2013 01:04:22 am

Thank you for sharing these poets and poems I would never had been exposed to.

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Dov Shapira link
4/19/2013 02:07:03 am

A true good poem. I like what you bring up here

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teresa link
4/19/2013 03:16:46 am

I love it when someone can put their emotions into words and are so good at it:) sometimes wish I could do that.

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Lacy link
4/19/2013 03:32:45 am

Great site, loved the video.

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Meli link
4/19/2013 04:27:06 am

A mutli talented man for sure.

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Heather Petersen
4/19/2013 06:32:47 am

Beautiful!

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veronica
4/19/2013 08:26:03 am

Very nice!

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Laurie Hagedorn link
4/19/2013 10:08:45 am

Where do you find all of these incredible people. I love it!

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Julie Wilson link
4/19/2013 11:10:26 am

Simply beautiful.

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Jen @ Existential Evolution link
4/19/2013 11:33:34 am

Great interview questions and I love the poem!

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Growin' N Luvin' the BIZ! w.Norma Doiron link
4/20/2013 10:51:20 am

Another great share! I'm getting used to these poems and liking them... tee-hee...!

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Marilyn link
4/20/2013 01:31:36 pm

I love your writing style. Thank you for sharing this aweosme interview. I am sharing on my fb wall as well. I know tons of people in the music profession, many authors and I know many others that would enjoy reading this interview. Thanks

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Van G. Garrett link
4/21/2013 02:00:33 am

All, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks for taking the time to write.

Peace/Paz,
Van

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Ethel Garrett
4/21/2013 03:55:31 am

"Porcelain" evokes memories that fill one's heart with joy and warmth. It captivates the special moments of life when you are embraced with genuine love that encompasses all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the poem.

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Franklin
4/21/2013 09:58:16 am

I love how you inspire me to continue writing. Many of the things we think aren't important truly are. You are inspirational may god bless you

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Jose
4/28/2013 08:02:29 am

Out of many of the poets featured so far, I can relate to Van the most because of his appreciation for musicians. I greatly enjoyed the pieces above.

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Leo
4/28/2013 08:59:00 am

Very nice

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cynthia
4/29/2013 09:14:56 am

Great poet, only a true talent sees true talent just like how van sees and appreciate great muscians.

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Elijah
4/29/2013 09:15:41 am

This one went a bit over my head but the fact that he likened what he was talking about to porcelain seemed interesting.

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Hyon
4/29/2013 09:16:44 am

His words are very inspiring. I really liked both his poem and his advice.

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Edwin
4/29/2013 09:17:25 am

I found the poem amazing and the advice is helpful especially with the poem. thank you

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Sagen
4/29/2013 10:51:48 am

I love the passion that he has for music.

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Paola
4/29/2013 11:59:05 am

Great work, I like how you expressed it personally. And saw he was going along with the music. Keep up with the great work that you have for the rest of us! It does not matter the genders because everyone haves their way of expressing their love for something!

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Ian H.
5/2/2013 05:26:27 am

I really like how his poems are short and sweet. They express his feelings, but aren't absent of life. The poem about his Professor game me an idea as to who the man was. I really enjoy poets like this

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selena
5/11/2013 10:31:30 am

The poem porcelain was beautiful. I think that is what the poem was about how the people we love are precious and beautiful like porcelain.

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Shawntel Collins
5/13/2013 02:36:24 pm

I like that he used a lot of imagery in his poem

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Van Garrett link
8/5/2013 03:58:52 am

All, thanks for the support! Visit:www.vanggarrettpoet.com. There are some updates. The Iron Legs In The Trees, my new horror novella is out (available on AMAZON.com).There's a poetic love scene involving cannibals...
Peace/Paz,
Van

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