Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is unexpected love.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I was motivated to write this poem because I wanted to hold that moment in time and placing it on paper made that a reality.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing poetry since 2018.

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

If I could have dinner with one person, it would be Eugene O’Neill. I think he is the one writer who uncovered the truth in every word of his craft.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I didn’t actually know that the work would be performed.I thought it was only for the winners of a contest.I read my own work aloud as part of the editing process, but having someone else read it certainly opens a new perspective.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. All of my published works can be found on my website http://www.juliannedemartino.com. I’ve also written several pilot episodes, including D.E.B., De/teched, and Startup, as well as adaptations, which are two features and many short films.Some of these works can be found on the ISA Network. https://www.networkisa.org/profile/julianne-demartino

7) What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is writing.There are so many talented writers at the moment. I feel literature is having a moment, especially with books being adapted into film.Being a writer is not easy and often costs us more than we expected, but not writing would feel like a slow death to me.I write in order to live.

Reply

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POEM:

Death has come
praise, no doubt
with/rooted in justification
the feral guise

hit so hard
with a force that
pushed like a great wind
away and in and back into her again

none remained
I ask you now
as gone is the thing
are there any who weep

perhaps one or two
to which birth was
given the bond that
flickered, yes, the

praise would be possible
when that time and
space would be considered
the heart wanted to love

permeable was it not
the dark was let in
where the splinters lived
and therefore, the dim

tree was never seen in all
green youthful roots of hope
its glory lived
buried. Waiting

but there was nothing. The rays could not
permeate. The self could not help
the self and so
death is comfort