awaits the slow pomade
of time. But his hair--
its pristine texture--
will never be the same again.
Can you tell our readers how you came to be interested in poetry in the first place, Carol?
Carol: So...the meeting of the National Association for Poetry Therapy opened my mind to the use of poetry around psychological issues and to the possibility of writing poetry myself [note: Carol is a psychotherapist]. Until then, I had done only didactic writing, but since each seminar leader had folks writing, I suddenly saw that it was possible for me to do. From there, I began to study and work at it seriously.
For several years, I studied, wrote, and was critiqued--along with a small group of fellow tutees--with a professor of English at Northwestern University. Since then, I have met with a group of fellow poets, maybe once a month, to critique each other's work. It is incredibly helpful to have other eyes and minds focus on what you write, especially when those eyes and minds belong to people you trust and whose opinions you value.
In addition, I am fortunate to belong to the Poets Club of Chicago, which meets monthly also to workshop members' poems. Unfortunately for me, though, I too often find myself out of town on meeting days so miss many meetings. I have been fortunate to have had over 50 individual poems accepted for publication in various literary journals and anthologies, plus two chapbooks published by Finishing Line Press. Arnie has authored more books and certainly has a far wider readership.
Arnie: I've written a fairly eclectic group of books over the
years. Several are satirical books
about large law firms and their management, tracking the fictitious firm of
Fairweather, Winters & Sommers.
I've also written a book on the Cubs, called Is God a Cubs Fan? I've
collaborated on books with both of my daughters, and I've written a few serious
books, too; though I can't always tell the serious ones from the satirical
ones.
Now that you've survived this collaboration, any thoughts about what's next?
Arnie: I think we still need a bit more recovery time from this one, but I could see us doing a book on our travels to India, Nepal and Bhutan. And perhaps we'd add Myanmar, where we're hoping to go this Fall.
Thanks so much for talking with me. Your book is spectacular. I can't wait to see your next project.
****
All photos by Arnie Kanter [except Arnie with fish]
No Secret Where Elephants Walk website
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