And Now A Poetic Interview with Poppy Ruth Silver!

Poppy Ruth Silver is a rock star poet: she writes and sings with incredible raw talent. In fact, when I hear or read her I’m reminded of the passion brought forth from one of my favorite bands: Florence and the Machine. She’s also a person of incredible caring and conviction, lending her time and energy to great causes. It’s my pleasure to introduce my friend and poet, Poppy Ruth Silver.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a writer and musician with a love for photography and spirituality. An animal activist and a lover of nature and the Old Ways.

2. When did you start writing poetry?

I started writing around fifteen or sixteen years ago. I originally started out writing a stream of consciousness novel but somehow stumbled onto poetry form. I try to write in whichever style is felt at the time for me.

3. Do you have a favorite poet/poem?

Hard to name just one really. Favourites would be Anne Sexton, Jim Morrison, Sylvia Plath and Wilfred Owen, to name a few.

4. Does music inspire you? What kind?

Music is medicine to my soul. I like any genre of music. There are times when heavy and dark is needed, times when the poetic purge of violin is needed. Times when classical is desired or times when a fast beat is needed. A true lover of music finds it hard to limit to just one genre. Music is as important to me as words are.

5. Do you write on the computer or in a notebook?

Both. I tend to write more prose in a notebook and more poetry on the laptop these days. Technology seems to have replaced the book and pen but sometimes there is nothing like sitting in nature and just letting the ink flow in a traditional way.

6. If you could write a poem anywhere, where would it be?

By the Ganges river.

7. What do you enjoy most about writing poetry?

I think each writer feels something different on a personal level from writing poetry. For me, it is a process of pausing a moment in life or purging emotion. I find release in writing and the process itself, the flow, the structuring and so forth, all therapeutic. To know you can educate with words at your disposal is also a humbling experience.

8. If you could hang out with any poet, who would it be?

Tough one that. I guess it would be Jim Morrison, I actually see him as a Poet more than a musician.

9. If you could physically fight a fellow poet, from any point in time, who would they be?

I would rather share a whiskey with ole Jim than fight another Poet.

10. Have you read or performed poetry live at slams or open mic?

Not as yet but it is on my to do list. I have released a spoken word album though called “Welcome to Dajjal” and spoken word is a favourite form of poetry for me so open mic is definitely on my agenda in the future.

11. Why does nothing rhyme with orange?

Because words each have a personality of their own and perfect rhyme is over rated (smiles).

12. Do you post your poetry online?

I do indeed. I post at a few sites but mainly at my official site on Weebly.

13. Do you put your writing into pictures to share on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook?

I like to put poetry to my photography which is usually posted at my website also and at Facebook.

14. What is the most difficult poetry to write? Are there any forms you dislike?

I think with any practice, like a musical instrument, all forms can be mastered over time, it depends if you wish to learn and master them. That is the key. I don’t dislike any form of poetry but guess the most difficult for me would be Sonnets. Mainly because they are my least favourite form of poetry and too disciplined. I prefer to write free form.

15. Do you believe anyone can learn to write poetry? Do you think anyone can enjoy reading it?

I do believe anyone can learn to write poetry. I hear too many people say they can’t and most of the time it is because they fear structure and form. I have always encouraged such people by saying True art is from the heart. My motto to say that any art, be it words or any other vein, can be created if your heart wishes it so. As for reading, I am convinced that anyone could find a poem they enjoy in some form, they probably already have and not realised it, in films for example or such. More than one way to absorb a poem.

16. Where do vanishing objects go? Remember to phrase your answer in the form of a riddle.

A four lettered word
is where vanishing objects go
you only have to ask your soul
where you are from and when you die
where shall you go

17. What project(s) are you currently working on, poetry or otherwise?

I am currently working on my second poetry book and a Haiku nature book. I am also working on my band’s third album called “Winter’s Frozen Tears” which is set to be released this Autumn. My second poetry book will be released around Christmas time.

18. Would you like to share a poem with us today?
Here is a recent piece I wrote in honour of all the animals held in captivity, a topic that wrenches my heart and needs voicing far and wide.

Sold Souls

Do you ever pause to think about the space you inhabit?
I mean really think how vast your space actually is
how you are free to walk for miles, should you wish
to dance in endless spirals, should you desire
to roam the world at your leisure, should it appeal

Do you ever pause to really think about your space?
how your movements are unrestricted and unlimited
how you are able to step outside and feel the breeze
wander through nature and hear the wisdom of trees

I wonder if you reflect on such an important factor
that should be a basic, important humane right
for there are souls without freedom who have no say
those without a voice who become targeted, easy prey

Ripped from the womb of life, they become entertainment
nothing more than slaves for a mere fee and payment
kidnapped from the ocean to mourn, train and torment
who do they ask for help when they can not vent
when corporations add up the money spent

Do you ever pause to think of the space you inhabit?
for the souls who are sold, butchered and bled
have no such thing in the land of the living dead
only restriction in small tanks that become their deathbed
as we look on without a care for their silenced dread

I wonder if you reflect on such an important factor
that should be a basic, important humane right
I wonder if you ever stop to examine their plight
however painful and insidious the barbaric sight
it is up to us to educate and continue the fight

©2015 PoppySilver

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Bio

PoppySilver is a writer from the UK who has a passion for photography, spirituality and nature, She is an animal activist and a lover of the Old Ways. She is also main vocalist to Orbitally Re-Arranged Monatomic Elements.

“To pause a moment in time and allow it breathe or seethe. Now that is a passion.”

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Find more about Poppy Ruth Silver:

On her website: poppysilver.weebly.com

On her Facebook Page: facebook.com/pages/PoppySilver