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Poetic Profile

Ken Waldman

General Questions

1) Where did you grow up? Was poetry and writing part of that mix?

Grew up outside Philadelphia, then was in North Carolina off-and-on for ten years, then a year in Seattle, then past twenty years in Alaska (though past four I've been touring, now spending a lot of time in Louisiana when not touring, though this fall was in Chicago for three months, and through all this still have Alaska drivers' license). Poetry was not part of growing up--but writing was a small part of the mix. Reading was a major part of my growing up time.

2) Who are your poetic influences, favorite poets, writers, artwork, other things that inform your work?

Well, the old-time fiddling informs the work, as does the time spent in Alaska. We know winter up north. Though William Stafford isn't my favorite poet, I'll say I'm of the William Stafford school, and I do like many of his poems. Favorite poets? I graze a lot, and when I find a poem I really like, meaning one I wished I'd somehow had written, well, that poet becomes a favorite. Too many to list.

3) When did you 'become' a poet, when did poet become part of your everyday life?

Before I moved to Nome to teach at that far campus of the University of Alaska system, I'd primarily written fiction. In rural Alaska I wrote more poems, and then I had an illness time in the early 90's. In my long convalescence, I wrote many, many poems, which I guess is when I "became" a poet.

4) Where were you educated? Was this important?

Got an MFA as a fiction writer at University of Alaska Fairbanks. But we had mixed-genre workshops, so that's where I got introduced to poems as these really cool things that you could get ambitious with in a short time. Still, until I moved to Nome I primarily wrote fiction, and still do write prose--both fiction and non-fiction. Best thing about that education was being in Alaska--Fairbanks was a great place for me to write.

5) What is your favorite food?

Food? I'm pretty fond of Vietnamese Pho when I'm touring in places I can find a restaurant, but can go months without it. Happy, too, eating Thai food. My own cooking--simple stir fries, or else beans and rice. Pretty basic.

6) Sports Team? or Activity?

I grew up and played national-level junior tennis, plus played some in college, until injuries. In my 20's and 30's I occasionally taught for a living. After my illness time, I didn't pick up a racket for nine years, then taught a few lessons for friends in 2001. Now it's been more than four and a half years without playing. I like to ride my bike. Teams? Living in Alaska, if you follow sports, you follow Seattle teams. So there's that and Philadelphia, where I grew up. My father was a big sports fan--I follow through the newspaper, and in fact have written--and had published--lots of of sports poems. Have a collection, Sports Page, that I'm peddling.

7) Vacation spot?

My life on tour is both endless work, and endless vacation. Sure enjoy Lafayette, Louisiana, where I'm at this month. Southwestern Louisiana, with the Cajun culture, has a huge music and dance scene, which is great fun. I've gotten to enjoy lots of great places the past few years on tour--this is my favorite.

8) Curse word?

Depends on time and place.

Craft Questions

1) How do you form a poem?

Have an impulse, grab a pen, have paper handy, take it from there.

2) Is poetry an organic or synthetic process for you?

Depends on the situation. Sometimes organic, sometimes synthetic--the poems doesn't really care about all that.

3) Where do you write? Is Ambiance important? Do you have rituals or habits when you write?

I've written successfully in all manner of places, all manner of ways. Best is first thing in the morning, still in bed, before I get up, before I start the day.

4) In the balance between found language and created language where does your work fall?

Created language, but each new poem is a new one, and I'm always happy to be surprised with how it comes to be.