Lary Kleeman –

From the Book of Revelations

 

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This is Alexandra Awe, poetry editor for Progenitor 2015. I’m speaking with Lary Kleeman, winner of the 2014 Writer’s Studio Poetry Contest. He will read his piece “From the Book of Revelations,” and then answer some questions.

 

 

“From the Book of Revelations” is characterized by many powerful symbols and themes. What, in particular, inspired you to write this piece?

 

This piece originated from a personal trauma that "required" I write in order to heal. My interest was in capturing a language that encompassed a dire situation but with beauty. I found that language in the Biblical Book of Revelations.

 

 

What was the writing process like for this piece?

 

One summer day, I caught the lightrail down to the central Denver Public Library where I found an old Bible in the stacks. I proceeded to make a photocopy of a few pages from the Book of Revelations but they were partial copies--using a scrap piece of paper, I covered all but the first few words on the left margin. In short, this exercise in found poetry allowed me to have line starters--this is how I was able to incorporate the tone and diction of the Book of Revelations. I worked on a few pages, gradually finding a storyline of a personal journey in my rendition. I worked over the course of a summer on the entire series, making a couple more trips to the library for more fragmented copies. This was one of the most exciting projects I'd ever immersed myself in as a writer. At the time, I was only interested in getting it done for myself--it was too personal and too sacred, it felt, to be shopped around for publication. I shared it with another writer-friend and that was it until more than ten years later, I dug it up and reworked it for my writer's group.

 

 

How do you hope to influence the audience with this piece?

 

I would hope that this piece speaks to the "terrible beauty" of personal/societal seismic shifts in that despite devastating changes, we have the ability to be redeemed, especially if we hold true to an attitude of wonder and awe.

 

 

What is your favorite thing about this piece?

 

The epic feel of a personal journey.  Also, using archaic diction.

 

 

Do you have a favorite poetic form? Why?

 

I don’t really have any specific favorite forms, though much can be learned from reading and imitating all kinds of different forms.

 

 

How do you feel your writing style has changed and developed over time?

 

Of late, I love blending the lyrical with prose. Long lined poems have  become a favorite stylistic groove. I write most of my pre-poetic thoughts in a   large notebook that has graph paper. When living in Estonia, I become aware of the European proclivity to write on graph as opposed to lined paper. This allows me to turn my journal "on its side" and write super long lines.

 

 

Are there any specific authors who have influenced your writing?

 

The poet A.R. Ammons (especially his long poems). Kenneth Patchen's work (Section 4 of this poem was a tribute to him) -- I've got almost all that he wrote. James Galvin, as well, his poetry and prose. And Virginia Woolf's poetic prose.

 

 

What is the most challenging aspect about being a writer?

 

For me, making the time to create. One way that I’ve tried to make that time is to be part of a writer’s group.