Interview With Kai Coggin

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'!  

Today we introduce you to the dynamic and inspired Kai Coggin, a full-time poet and freelance writer from Hot Springs, Arkansas, who delivers powerful messages through her poetry. 

When and how did you first begin writing poetry?

I first began writing poetry in high school, but don’t really recall specifically important poems until college.  I was in an emotionally hostile environment as a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M.  My spirit and identity were stifled, and my femininity and sexuality became a target for hazing and abuse.  Poetry became the only life raft that I had; a way to keep my sanity when it felt as though my soul and light were slipping further and further away. 

I changed my major from Biomedical Science to Poetry and Creative Writing and met my mentor and creative writing professor, Dr. Chuck Taylor, who told me that my work reminded him of Mary Oliver and Anais Nin.  He called me a Neo-Beatnik Poet, and I felt like someone finally COULD SEE ME.  I put everything into my writing, and removed myself from the negative situations that were trying to get the best of me.

Poetry became a constant touchstone, a friend through growing pains, a lover when my lovers failed me, poetry was and is always there.  Poetry is one of the most important pieces of my life. 

Which subjects are easiest for you to write poems on?

It is easiest for me to write about Love, in its myriad forms. I write a lot about my love for women. There is this ongoing love letter that I have in my mind, writing itself over and over again in poems. These poems are to my beloved, to strangers, to a lover I haven’t met yet, to a child, to the Cosmos, but the common thread is always there; my heart.

Which subjects are the hardest for you to write about?

It is hardest for me to write about issues of justice, but on occasion, my soul gets pulled to do that work, to shine light on issues such as female genital mutilation in Africa, the plight of sea creatures, fascism, war, genocide, racism, political manipulation, women’s rights, gay rights, the list goes on.  Humanity is suffering right now, and it is the responsibility of the poets and the artists to acknowledge that suffering, but also to provide a beacon of hope, a light at the end of a desolate tunnel.  That can be the most difficult part for me, finding that light in a seemingly hopeless situation.  I do not like to leave my readers/listeners without hope, or in the dark.

When are some of your sources of inspiration in writing poetry?

Beauty.  Beauty is the biggest catalyst for my poems.  There could be a moment that I share only with nature, or with my family, my dogs, a solitary bird, a passing cloud, digging for crystals that are millions of years old, or just silence.  Silence brings the Divine, opens my eyes to the Oneness.  Besides Beauty calling me to write, I am most inspired by when a phrase pops into my head from some higher source, or from some passing thought.  Usually, I will build an entire poem from one phrase that keeps on pulsating in my head until I write it out.  When I sit down to write, the words pour out without edit, without blockage.  I am very lucky in that aspect of writing. 

What is your biggest fear or hesitation when deciding to share a poem with the public, and how do you move beyond it?

I don’t really have any hesitation with sharing my poems with the public.  I feel like I am bringing my light to the table by sharing.  Some people may not care for my spiritual poems, or my conscious/aware/cosmic subject matter, but I am not going to hide my work to appease anyone.  People have told me how much my poems have helped them, or made them believe in love, or made them want to hug their children, or made them strive towards their higher selves.  I will not silence my Art.  Not ever.

What is the most profound, meaningful or enlightening discovery you have made while writing poems?

While writing poems, I have been able to tap into (what feels like) a Cosmic pulse that I cannot really achieve by other means.  I do not meditate or practice yoga.  I write poems.  I look at the world around me with a microscope or magnifying glass, and freeze moments with my mind in order to dive face-first into the beauty of it, unpack it so that it may live forever. I will sit down to write sometimes, and this energy, this flow comes THROUGH me.  It is something that I hope to always be able to touch.

How is writing poetry a spiritual process for you?

I have been documenting the literal journey of MY heart in poems for a while now, documenting the striving of my soul as it burns through attachments and instances of trauma that shaped me into the numbed and broken person that I was just six years ago.  My poetry had new fire breathed into it when I met my Teacher and dearest friend, Joann, who has helped me break out of the subconscious patterns and chains of my painful past.  My past was not all bad, of course, but there were some painful moments that shaped me into a woman that I did not really want to become.  Over the past six years of knowing Joann, and learning to see myself as my Self, my SOUL, my poetry has been evolving infinitely. I am embracing the transcending nature of my being, and writing from a level that I had never achieved before, with eyes and heart more open to the world.

What function or role has writing poems played for you in your life?

Early on in my adolescent life, writing was more of a release for me, a therapeutic exercise, a diary of secrets, a collection of words that I wrote but could never say.  Now, writing is still those things for me, but I share my work with anyone willing to read/hear it.  I know that my feelings, my experiences, my doubts, my fears, my joys, my struggles are not solely mine, are not exclusive to my human experience.  I know that when I overcome a great struggle in my personality, or have a renewed purpose in love, and I can write that into a poem, I am helping the collective consciousness in some way.  We are all connected. My waking up is your waking up. Your overcoming is my overcoming.

Name some of your favorite poems, poets or poetry books.

I love anything by Rumi (especially The Book of Love), Rabindranath Tagore, Kahlil Gibran, Torkom Saraydarian, Mary Oliver, Sappho, Adrienne Rich, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Hafiz, Ai, Shakespeare, e. e. cummings, Ani Difranco.  I love the writing of Anais Nin and Jeanette Winterson (my absolute favorite); their writing touches me as poetry does. 

Some contemporary poets that have spoken to my heart with Beauty and Fire include Andrea Gibson, Jamaal May, Jeremy Radin, Rachel McKibbens, Airea D. Matthews, Dominique Christina, Muggs Fogarty, Natalie E. Illum, Ashlee Haze, Siaara Freeman, Sarah Myles Spencer, Katie Wirsing and Tarfia Faizullah.

What effect does reading the poems of others have on you?

Reading the poems of others puts me into their body almost, like I can see through their eyes, feel with their hands, experience with they heart. It is necessary, as a poet, to read what other poets are writing, and to see where your words sit among other words, how they float in the ocean of poems that are written every day all over the world. 

How did you first discover Journey of The Heart?

I discovered Journey of The Heart, through the updates of the Women’s Spiritual Poetry page on Facebook, and then moving over and checking out the blog.  It is a wellspring of pure Beauty.  I am so honored that the amazing Catherine Ghosh requested that I send her a poem to be included in this remarkable anthology. It is like joining hands with a circle of artists, and servers, and seekers, and knowers. I feel so seen in this space, and I am so filled with gratitude for that.

Have you publicly shared your poetry before doing so via this project?

Yes, I share my poetry online through my blog and I occasionally share poems on my Facebook page.  I love to share my work, and to hear whether people love it or hate it, whether it strikes a chord in them, or makes them think, or they just appreciate the beauty. 

I also share my work almost every week at a local Open Mic here in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where I live.  It is a poetry series called Wednesday Night Poetry and it is the longest running poetry open mic in the country; it has been going strong for over 25 years WITHOUT EVER MISSING A SINGLE WEDNESDAY.  I try to write a new poem every week to share, and that is a challenge that I gave myself when I started attending the open mic a year ago.  The people who attend WNP are like my creative family, especially Chuck Dodson, the host.  He has been this constant source of encouragement and support for me.  Hot Springs, as a community, has been a tremendous source of creative support for me this year, and I think that living in such a welcoming and nurturing artistic community has allowed me to have all of the successes that I have had over the past few months (getting invited to a writing retreat in New York, getting featured in a statewide newspaper, and the upcoming publication of my book, PERISCOPE HEART).  I am truly blessed to be where I am in this moment.

What has been your general experience of sharing your poetry on Journey of The Heart?

Journey of The Heart is a confirmation of my work as a (striving to be) conscious poet. It is a validation from the Universe that my poems and my heart are being heard.  Being included in this anthology is of tremendous importance for me, because I can see the healing and the beauty and the power that a collection of this kind is going to be when it is released on this upcoming Full Moon. Thinking about it makes my hair stand on end.  The pages are charged with the energy of 65 women and their WIDE OPEN HEARTS.  I cannot wait to fully immerse myself in this magic.

Any last words you’d like to share about poetry?

Poetry is something that means a great deal to me, and I hope to continue working on this craft with all of the awareness, the openness, the honesty, the healing, the surviving, the breaking open that I can muster. My personal poetic journey thus far will be released at the end of this year, in my first full-length collection, PERISCOPE HEART, published by Swimming With Elephants Publications. I am so excited to see what my next steps will be in this vast world of words.


Kai Coggin is a full-time poet and freelance writer born in Bangkok, Thailand, raised in Southwest Houston, and currently a blip in the 3 million acre Ouachita National Forest in Hot Springs, AR.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Poetry and Creative Writing from Texas A&M University.  She writes poems of feminism, love, spirituality, injustice, metaphysics, and beauty.  Kai has been published in Elephant Journal, Cliterature, The Manila Envelope, [empath], Catching Calliope and an anthology to be released this summer called Journey to the Heart. She released her first chapbook, In Other Words, in August 2013. Her first full-length book of poetry PERISCOPE HEART will be published by Swimming with Elephants Publications at the end of 2014. Kai knows that words hold the potential to create monumental and global change, and she uses her words like a sword of Beauty.  She can be found most Wednesdays at a local venue, reading her poems into an open mic, hoping the wind carries her words out to the world. Connect with Kai on her blog here, or on Facebook.  

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~ 

Interview With Zoe Quiney

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'!  

Today we introduce you to the free spirited Zoe Quiney, from Sydney, Australia, who shares her writings with others to "inspire, empower, help and heal". 

When and how did you first begin writing poetry?

I've always been fascinated with words ever since I was a child. I loved writing stories and poems - I was always scribbling away in my room and I loved to rhyme and play around with words.

Which subjects are easiest for you to write poems on?

It's hard to say if there's a topic I find easiest but I probably tend to sit and write more naturally about a specific feeling or the environment I'm in at the time. It always seems to flow from the heart when I'm feeling something more powerfully.

What are some of your sources of inspiration in writing poetry?

My experiences mainly, and the environment I'm in.. I'll get a very distinct feeling whether it's a personal experience, or some beautiful scenery or an idea about life. Life inspires me daily.

What is your biggest fear or hesitation when deciding to share a poem with the public, and how do you move beyond it?

I didn't share anything I'd written for years and still don't share quite a lot of what I write, perhaps some poems are more personal, but I guess it's that vulnerability that goes with expressing yourself in public that can be daunting, especially when it’s very heartfelt. But sometimes you know that sharing that piece of you might inspire others to do the same, or relate to what you're expressing in some way. And poems always mean different things to different people, which is one of the great things about them! They're open to interpretation.

What is the most profound, meaningful or enlightening discovery you have made while writing poems?

That writing poetry is like free therapy! There's something incredibly cathartic about getting your feelings on paper, in a meaningful way. It's not just writing, it's art.

How is writing poetry a spiritual process for you?

I find the times that I write what I consider to be my best or most heart-felt poems are when I switch off and let myself flow and my subconscious or I guess, my soul, begins to speak :)

What function or role has writing poems played for you in your life?

I'm always scribbling in notepads and in my phone whenever I get a spark of inspiration and it's become a sort of journal for me - I then type up whatever it is I've written and If I look back over all my saved scribblings and poems, I can see the journey I've come on and like an emotional polaroid.

Name some of your favorite poems, poets or poetry books.

I am a huge fan of Maya Angelou and everything she did for empowering women by encouraging them to express themselves, allowing them to have a voice, and be unafraid to be feminine, sexy and proud. I love Khalil Gibran, Anna Akhmatova and Haruki Morakami for their powerful ways with words and Rainer Rilke's - Letters to a Young poet is beautiful.

How did you first discover Journey of The Heart?

I stumbled across it through a friend on Facebook, and sent in a poem of mine which I'd just written - Which was the first poem I'd ever submitted to a public forum.  It was exciting and scary to see it in public. I felt quite exposed!  But the reactions were amazing and I realized that expression through any form of art is necessary and a beautiful thing. The fear is always just a natural emotional response to putting something that you've made, out there. And it's never as bad as you imagine! Quite the opposite. It's liberating.

What has been your general experience of sharing your poetry on Journey of The Heart?

I have been inspired, more than anything, by the amazing women out there who courageously share their words with the world and I have learnt to be more brave and fearless when it comes to self-expression. It's an incredible journey to be on and it's amazing to be supported along the way by such amazing talents and souls.

Zoe Quiney: “I'm a part time writer and full time dreamer with a penchant for anything or anyone weird, amusing, interesting and beautiful. I believe in creating your own heaven on earth and I find inspiration in people and places that calm my soul. I want to leave something meaningful behind in this lifetime, even if it's just a nice poem. You may connect with me on Facebook here. Or find me on my blog or tumbler here.”

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~ 

Interview With Jenn Grosso

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'!  

Today we introduce you to the very creative and curious Jenn Grosso, who travels between her two homes in Ontario, Canada and Connecticut.

When and how did you first begin writing poetry?

I can’t remember exactly at what age I first started writing poetry, but I can say that I really got much more into it in the 7^th grade. That year, my English teacher encouraged the class to write a little bit every day in a writing journal and the poem format had always really appealed to me, so I mostly wrote poems. He encouraged me with my writing and from then on poetry writing and daily journaling became a habit and a way to express myself. 

Which subjects are easiest for you to write poems on?

When writing a poem, I don’t really think about a theme or particular subject. I mostly follow an emotion and just let the words pour out.

Which subjects are the hardest for you to write about?

I would say that setting myself a subject to write about would be the hardest, it doesn’t flow the same when I try to force it.

When do you feel most inspired to write poetry?

I mostly feel moved to write poetry when I’m overwhelmed with emotions. This doesn’t always mean negative emotions, although most of my poems were written when I was dealing with difficult emotions, I’ve also written poems when I was in such awe of nature and life. Writing poetry becomes my way of sorting through my feelings, processing them and understanding it all better.

What is your biggest fear or hesitation when deciding to share a poem with the public?

I don’t really have any fears with sharing my poems or writing with the public. I strongly believe that we can all relate to each other through our experiences, however vulnerable they can make us feel in sharing them. I’ve never been ashamed of my messy emotions; we all have them and can embrace our healing through sharing these glimpses of ourselves.

What is the most profound thing you have learned from writing poems?

Since I write most of my poems when I’m processing difficult emotions, the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that any emotion, however strong and overpowering in that moment, will pass. For me this is very comforting, and I remind myself of this fact when I’m battling whatever freak out that is happening inside. Going through older poems, I can reread some of my struggles and I know that shortly after that whatever I was struggling with passed. Or at least the intensity of it passes and by writing through it I shed light in my dark corners.

How is writing poetry a spiritual process for you?

Writing poetry is most definitely a spiritual process and is very cathartic in my experience. Writing poetry helps me to sort through the confusion of emotions and allows me to lay all of it outside my own head. From this practice I better understand myself and how to weather the storms in my mind.

Where do you find your inspiration for your poetry?

For me inspiration for my poetry comes from what’s around me. On the outside of myself, nature inspires me tremendously. Understanding our natural world and how we are all connected is a constant source of awe and inspiration. Taking a walk in nature, a hike or sitting by the river gives me space and stillness inside to find the right words. While on the inside, the whole plethora of human emotions drives me to place these outside of myself on the written page so I can better “see” them. As far as other poets and poetesses who inspire me, Mary Oliver and David Whyte are two of my favorites.

What effect does reading the poems of others have on you?

Reading poetry is very healing for me. I’m not quite sure what it is exactly, but the emotions and passion conveyed in a poem, painting a picture through carefully chosen words really strikes a chord inside my heart. My favorite poems are like little healing talismans that I reread often.

How did you first discover Journey of The Heart?

I first discovered Journey of The Heart through a friend on Facebook who had contributed a poem and thought that it was a really awesome place to share my words. Catherine has done an amazing job of creating such a safe and beautiful place to do so.

Have you publically shared your poetry before doing so via this project?

I have publicly shared my poetry before doing so on the Journey of The Heart. As a teenager, I would create little zines where I included some of my poems and art, and traded those with others who did the same. Once the internet became a thing, I’ve since shared my poetry, writing and art on a personal blog. There have been a few different incarnations of that blog, but currently it’s over at perilsoftheliving.com.

What has been your general experience of sharing your poetry on Journey of The Heart?

Sharing my poetry on Journey of The Heart has been an amazing experience, what a beautiful community! Thank you so much Catherine for taking such loving care of our words and gathering together such powerful voices.

Jenn Grosso hails from a far and distant land impervious to the mundane and the conventional. Her eclectic interests always begin with an overwhelming curiosity, which catapults her into fanatical investigations and explorations. A lover of all creative mediums, she focuses most of her time on writing, painting/mixed media, yoga, meditation and picture taking. Jenn holds BAs in Psychology and Comparative Religion. She continuously thrives on furthering her understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. With a penchant for all things beautifully extraordinary, Jenn recognizes the importance of honoring her shadow self, which in turn, creates a healthy respect for what lingers in its dark corners. Shamelessly wearing her heart on her sleeve, Jenn can typically be found with a book in hand, mala around her neck, and skipping to the beat of her own drum. Connect with Jenn on her blog' Perils of The Living', Facebook and Twitter. To view more of her photographic art, click here. 

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~ 

Interview With Solodad Maria

 Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'!  

Today we introduce you to healer and spiritual midwife Solodad Maria, from the United Kingdom, whose work focuses on awakening the Divine Feminine within every woman. 

When and how did you first begin writing poetry?

 I have been writing poetry since I was a child. Since then I have felt that the rhythm of the Universe speaks through me, harmonizing with my natural self, the beauty of word, sound and the Divine source. In 1995 I experienced a kind of awakening. It was then that I was blessed with beautiful writing, and words that flow from within me. They are like prayers flowing from the transparent source of light, which, as a women I feel I know deeply and intuitively.

Which subjects are easiest for you to write poems on?

I write from within: like an artist with a blank canvas, the words flow onto the page, like a blessing from the essence of transformation and love. My words are always heartfelt, always from my soul. I also feel blessings and energy that is gifted to me when I write.

When do you feel most inspired to write poetry?

In the early morning around 3 or 4 am. That’s when I awaken and feel the oneness and blessings of the presence of the Divine. I am energized then and full of praise and gratitude for a new day. Words flow from me at this time of day and also my meditations. It is a very beautiful experience.

What is your biggest fear or hesitation when deciding to share a poem with the public?

I feel the sacred deeply. I believe that any hesitation is my need and desire to keep my Divine flow as a peaceful vehicle for love, avoiding obscurity and unnatural rhythms or complexity.

What is the most profound thing you have learned from writing poems?

I’ve learned about the Awakening Woman within all women, and how connected she is as a source of communication and clarity for us all. I’ve learned about her joy in this place of freedom and unity with all that is. I’ve also learned how blessed I am to be a source of inspiration for myself, and others. For in expressing words that move beyond meaning, but are felt deeply within, we open ourselves up to receive them in a state of grace. This feeling is so beautiful!

What function has writing poems played for you in your life?

Poetry has been like a light to me, and a freedom. Poetry affects me deeply as a source of love: Divinity in motion!

What effect does reading the poems of others have on you?

I feel the words of others deeply. Poetry for me is fluid, like liquid: the essence of the soul. I believe that often words that pour out spontaneously are poems not yet known to the souls expression. I am moved by prayer, energy and sensitivity. I am moved by words that are heartfelt yet loving and real. I admire the soul who takes the time to praise life and others, who knows how to use words as an energy source, as a beloved even. Sometimes the longing behind the words catches me and lulls my being into a place of openness and pure love.

How did you first discover Journey of The Heart?

 

Journey of the Heart was found through the deep connection I feel with Catherine Ghosh as a pure hearted soul and Divine sister.

Have you publically shared your poetry before doing so via this project?

I published Healing From The Heart in 2005. It is filled with blessings and verses that tell the story of my spiritual awakening. I have also had poetry published through other publications and the Internet.

What has been your general experience of sharing your poetry on Journey of The Heart?

I was happy to have my poetry published through Journey of the Heart. The deep resonance with Catherine and the beautiful sisters, as they share their own messages and expressions of the awakened woman is wonderful.

Any last words you’d like to share about poetry?

I believe poetry is an art form: a language of soul that resonates across the Universe and those who compose it are deeply blessed with being able to communicate that vibration in the Universe that longs to be heard. In doing so, we lift the vibration of our Mother Earth and bless life with valuable messages about openness, freeing and healing: exercising the language of the soul!

Solodad Maria has worked as a healer and spiritual midwife for nearly twenty years. Though Solodad is based in the United Kingdom, she is a member of the International Association of Medical Intuitives. Using sound and movement as healing tools, she draws mainly from tribal and indigenous cultures. She is author of Healing From The Heart, an autobiographical account of awakening and the woman inside. You may connect with Solodad via her website here, follow her blog "Feminine Awakening" here, or e-mail her solodadmaria@rediffmail.com

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~ 

Interview With Ruth Calder Murphy

 Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'!  

Today we introduce you to the endlessly creative and multi-talented Ruth Calder Murphy: artist, musician, poetess, novelist, pantheist and mother living in London, UK. 

When and how did you first begin writing poetry?

I remember very clearly the day I consciously began writing poetry. I was seven years old. I woke up one morning and knew that I had to write. I felt excited, exhilarated, even driven. I wanted to write immediately - and did – and also to write forever; which so far, I have. That was the day I knew that whatever else I might become, I’d always be a writer.

Which subjects are easiest for you to write poems on?

This is a really difficult question to answer, because I write about everything! I think for me, there’s almost nothing that I find it difficult to write about. My limiting factors tend to be not subject matter, but time and, occasionally, circumstances.

Which subjects are the hardest for you to write about?

As I said already, I’m not sure there’s anything that I find difficult to write about. Perhaps this is a fairly recent development, though. When I think back – even ten years – I used to find it quite difficult to be truly, deeply authentic in my poetry writing. I could write about my feelings very easily, or about things I could see and touch… But when it came to my deep-down doubts, beliefs, hopes, fears and perspectives, I struggled, because for so much of my life I’d been told what I “should” believe and think. The past decade or so has been a process of disentangling myself from those expectations and becoming truly free to be myself – and honest with myself – when I write.

When do you feel most inspired to write poetry?

This is almost impossible to answer, because I could say “all the time” or “never in particular”. Sometimes, inspiration descends, dawns or explodes on me, without warning and in the most unexpected places – in a shopping queue or whilst crossing a road. Sometimes, I know that I want or need to write about a certain thing and so I sit down and just write, without feeling that “sudden inspiration” at all. Sometimes, I feel so drenched with poetry that I could sit writing constantly for days. Other times, I feel a little bit dry and as though I need to wait for the drips, look for words to begin with and really listen to everything for the whispers to begin…

I most often actually sit to write, early in the mornings. That’s “my” time. I get up – every day - at 3am or thereabouts and it’s quiet. Perhaps that’s when I feel most inspired…

What is your biggest fear or hesitation when deciding to share a poem with the public?

My biggest fear when sharing a poem – with anyone – is the same fear as when I share anything of myself with anyone else: “Will they get it?!”

Being misunderstood is something I really struggle with. I don’t mind being disapproved of (too much!) as long as I’m disapproved of for the truth of myself, not for someone’s misconceptions.

When I share my poetry, it’s for several really strong reasons: Firstly, I feel that I’ve been given this gift, in order to share it. Secondly, I know that much of what I write, touches on other people’s experiences too and so I want to reach out and connect with those people. Thirdly, I want to be known and understood.

It’s this third thing that makes it scary for me to share certain of my poems. I know that there are some people who’ll read them and who will judge me by them. I don’t mind that – as long as they’ve understood what they’ve read and take it in the wider context of all of my poetry and other writing… And this is quite a task, because my published poetry alone is about eight hundred poems, and then there are novels and short stories too… So, really, I have to learn to be content enough in myself that I can cope with being misunderstood from time-to-time!

What is the most profound thing you have learned from writing poems?

I learn so much from writing poetry, and it’s – for me – such a holistic thing, that it’s difficult to put my finger on one thing and say “That’s what I’ve learned”… If I had to, though, I think I’d say that it’s helped me to learn to focus, fine-tune, hone and connect my thoughts. Not just when writing, but all the time.

I think that naturally, I’m quite an “away with the Fairies” type; thoughts scattered, head in the clouds! Writing poetry utilizes this, of course, but it also brings my scattered elements together and helps me to understand myself, and the world around me, better.

How is writing poetry a spiritual process for you?

As I said before, poetry writing is a very holistic experience for me – and in recent years, I’ve found that more and more of what I am and do, is holistic. When I run or do yoga or eat food, paint, play music or write, it’s not just physical or emotional or intellectual or spiritual; it’s the whole package.

I used to separate out the spiritual from the rest of my life, to the point where it felt so separate that I wasn’t really connected anymore.

Poetry-writing, along with the other creative arts (I’m a painter and a musician too) – and also along with physical activities like yoga and running, hugging and breathing – is a form of spiritual practice. It’s an opening up, of all my channels, to Spirit; to my deepest self and the widest, infinite extremities of everything. It’s a form of prayer, or worship, a way of reaching out to Beyond, and also a way of being grounded in my human body, here and now.

What function has writing poems played for you in your life?

I used to say that poetry saved my life. I think it did and I think it still does. I’ve suffered with depression since I was a child and poetry has been a way of coping. Poetry has, I think, over the years, stepped into the breach – between me and the abyss – and has kept me from jumping into it.

This is probably the main function of poetry, for me. Everything else is, in some ways, a part of that; the honing and focusing, the praying and worshipping. Poetry facilitates these things – at least partly - because it’s keeping me from jumping off and out, into insanity, darkness and ultimately oblivion.

It does this by being a form of vessel for my soul – I can put the horror there, and the joy, the ecstasy and exhilaration, the mania and the despair. Poetry holds it, gives it expression and keeps it safe until I can step back and look at it without being consumed by it.

Name some of your favorite poetesses.

Now, this is tricky! There are so many. Alice Walker is up there at the top, with Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath.  Jeanette Winterson, though known as a novelist, writes such poetic prose that I have to include her too… And Sappho. Mary Oliver, certainly… Then, there are people who’re not well-known, but whose poetry really speaks to me. People like Cheryl-Anne and Jennifer Hawley-Zechlin. Even now, I’ve probably missed some!

What effect does reading the poems of others have on you?

Reading good poetry by other people makes me feel connected and inspired. As though I’m part of something bigger; a wonderful web of poets, that reaches in every direction through time and space, with Spirit – or inspiration, life, Human Soul, Divinity; whatever or whomever each poet calls it, him or her - at the centre.

How did you first discover Journey of The Heart?

I can’t remember which poem it was, that I’d had published in The Elephant Journal - there were several, around that time… But Catherine read it and thought that it would fit in well on Journey of The Heart.  She approached me, through a Facebook message, and asked permission to use it. When I looked at the blog - Catherine’s motivations and the community of poetesses here, and also the wonderful poems that were already on the blog, I was truly delighted. It’s an honour to be included in this community and this ongoing project.

Have you publically shared your poetry before doing so via this project?

Yes. I was first published in an anthology twenty years ago - when I was in my late teens. Since then, I’ve been published in various anthologies, journals, blogs and e-zines. I’ve also published four books of collected poetry, as well as a few other books.

What has been your general experience of sharing your poetry on Journey of The Heart?

Being a part of Journey of the Heart is a new and unique experience for me. It’s different from being published elsewhere, even by publishers who’ve used my work more than once. Here, there’s a community, where instead of competition, there’s support, affirmation, love and acceptance – and a feeling of connection and understanding.

Any last words you’d like to share about poetry?

Ruth Calder Murphy is a writer, artist, music teacher, wife and mother living in London, UK. Her life is wonderfully full of creativity and low-level chaos. She is the author of two published novels, “The Scream" and "The Everlasting Monday", several books of poetry and one or two as-yet unpublished novels. She is passionate about celebrating the uniqueness of people, questioning the unquestionable and discovering new perspectives on old wonders. She is learning to ride the waves that come along—peaks and troughs—and is waking up to just how wonderful life really is. You can visit Ruth and view more of her art on her website, or on her writer's page on Facebook. Her books are available on Amazon, here.

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~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~