Interview with Poet Nadia Bruce-Rawlings (FARA FARA FAIR AS LIGHT)

1) What is the theme of your poem?

This poem is about a friend of mine, an AA sponsee, who shot herself in the head….and not wanting to think about it.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I had to write this poem in order to heal. I was so traumatized by her suicide. I had to get the pain out on paper.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since I was a kid, on and off. Writing has always been a catharsis for me. Words just come to me, sometimes, and I need to get them out. I don’t write every day though; I wish I could.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

I would have dinner with Patti Smith. She is just such an amazing writer and…