GARY B. FITZGERALD: THE INTERVIEW

May 8, 2010 at 11:28 am (Uncategorized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GARY B. FITZGERALD, POET

Scarriet: When did you start writing poetry?

Gary B. Fitzgerald: My earliest memory is from the 5th grade, 1962. I was ten years old. I remember hearing an announcement on the school’s public address system that a poem by someone named Joyce would be read that morning. I assumed it was some girl in the 6th grade and was disappointed and jealous that my poetry had not been selected to be read to the school. I remember the words…”I think that I shall never see; A poem lovely as a tree.” As far as I was concerned, my poetry was better than this crap. Of course, the poem was not by a classmate. The “Joyce” was in fact, Joyce Kilmer and the reading was of his famous poem, “Trees.” It wasn’t until high school that I finally learned who Joyce Kilmer really was and the significance of his work.  I still think mine was better.

S: Who taught you the most about poetry?

GBF:  Seagulls and sparrows, eagles and owls.

S: What do you think poetry does best?

GBF: What does a bird do best?

S: Can you elaborate?

GBF: Well, I am being a little facetious, but birds, of course, make excellent symbols. Just look at the four I chose. They can symbolize freedom and joy, humility, strength or courage and wisdom. What birds do best, of course, is sing, as a poem should, fly, as a poem should, and inspire us by their seemingly effortless beauty, as a poem should.

S: Has poetry ever served any serious romance function in your life?

GBF:  Surely, you jest.

S: Is poetry “timeless,” or must it be understood in terms of time and place?

GBF: Only timeless poetry is timeless. But that’s easy. Living hasn’t changed all that much and death is still death.

S: What’s more important to poetry: nature, philosophy or music?

GBF:  Yes.

S: What’s the longest poem you’ve read in one sitting?

GBF: An eight-liner I wrote that took three weeks to finish.

S: What’s your take on Language Poetry?

GBF: I haven’t read enough to form an opinion. I don’t get out much.

S: How important are rhyme and meter to you?

GBF: How important are food and air to you?

S: Are you concerned with poetry’s role, or lack of one, in American society today?

GBF: Let me answer that with a poem. I wrote this around ’92, which was ten years before I owned a computer and at least twelve before I discovered internet poetry blogs. I have been encouraged by all the interest in poetry on the web, but I still think this poem fairly accurately reflects poetry in “American society” today.

My Old Friend Joe

My old friend Joe can take a stone
and a chunk of flint that’s brownish-red
and striking with precision form
a perfect, pointed arrowhead.

With an ancient skill he quickly shapes
a tool of stone with a glancing wave,
with an edge so fine and thin and sharp
that with it I would gladly shave.

My poor friend Joe, whose time is spent
in efforts quaint and obsolete,
shaping stones for hunting game
that bullets now make into meat.

So poor old Joe makes his useless stones
and time wasted it may be,
but I understand because I’m like him…
I write poetry.