Poetry FAQ

Just a tiny FAQ, written mainly for fun.

Q: How / when do your write your poems?
A: Whenever I feel like it, and it usually involves alcohol, a pencil and a notepad (full of wild scribbles, crossed-out pages and profanity). When writing digitally, I usually I use OmmWriter. As for the “process” itself: I once wrote a small description of it which can be found here (German).

Q: I don’t understand poem X, because it’s written in (insert language here), which I don’t speak. Is there a translation?
A: No, there most likely isn’t. Translating poems is generally difficult, for obvious reasons. I’ll be happy to explain them, however, there are no translations planned. There’s usually a reason why I write a certain poem in a certain language (the sounds, the rhythm, the sentiment). Of course, you always have the option of learning a new language, so why not try that?

Q: The only reason you’re doing that is in order to show off. You could’ve just as well written all of them in English.
A: …No.

Q: I’ve read poem X and I don’t understand any of it. It seems disjointed and chopped off. Also, it doesn’t make sense.
A: Most of the poems I write are meant to be read out rather than read in silence. I try to give them a certain rhythm, and I want them to be… “sound-y”, I suppose. So maybe that will help, then.

Q: I’ve read it aloud. I’m still confused. Nothing makes sense.
A: Welcome to life.