The Reporter caught up with local poet Trudy Davies ahead of her Valentine’s Day reading at Calico Cat Gift Gallery in downtown Cloverdale on Friday, Feb. 10.
Davies is the author of “Butterfly Dreams: Milo’s Adventure,” two children’s chapbooks and “Wings for the Spirit: A Journey to Hope and Love in All Seasons,” which she read a selection from on Friday.
When did you first begin writing poetry?
I was trying to write a children’s book and was getting frustrated with my attempts. Then one day, for some unknown reason, when I sat down to write, the words just seemed to flow out of my hand, incorporating ideas, images and emotion that had been swirling around in the back of my mind for a long time.
When I stopped writing I realized I had written a poem. That was ‘Butterfly Dreams.’ I was surprised because I hadn’t remembered writing a poem for about 30 years. My writing had been focussed on technical writing in the years in-between.
When my mother saw the poem she was moved to tears and put in her order for me to write her a poem for her birthday. I had no idea how I wrote the first one; but through efforts to write one that I felt worthy as a gift for my mother, I found a new way of expressing myself. I estimate that was over 500 poems ago.
What did you write about when you first began?
Nature, social justice, humourous events, relationships, emotions and my faith.
Are there particular themes that you favour, or tend to write to?
Finding beauty in everyday encounters.
So often we are bombarded by bad news. My Dad used to say “things are only impossible until a solution is found.”
Writing is a way to do problem solving through allowing thoughts to flow. I often write to give comfort and hope; to express concerns in a constructive way. I also do it for fun.
How do you begin a poem?
Often a phrase will go through my mind that feels like it has significance. I write it down and let the words come. Sometimes the words or concepts of feelings will come individually, and I just jot those down on an adjacent page to remind myself. Often, one phrase or line will lead to another and another. I write them down if they “ring true” inside.
How has your idea of what poetry is changed since you began writing poems?
I have enjoyed (discovering) more styles of poetry at Vancouver Writers Festival, and through courses given by Ed Griffin and local poet Heidi Greco. Participation in Langley Writers Guild and poetry reading events have led me to the opinion that there are as many styles of poetry as poets. John Hollander’ book “Rhyme’s Reason” has also helped me enjoy experimenting with different types of poetry.
What advice do you have for aspiring poets? (Or the otherwise creatively inclined?)
Always carry a little booklet in your pocket or purse, and a pen or pencil to jot down ideas as they come.
Give yourself permission to play.
Tell me a bit about Poets Unlimited.
One June when many other (writing) groups were stopping for the summer, I wanted to keep going, so I invited some folks to a coffee shop to share our poetry. I was planning on doing it once…it’s still happening.
Poets Unlimited is an informal monthly get together for people to share their own poetry in a non-threatening environment. All levels of skill are welcome. Listeners are welcome too. We take turns reading what we’ve written (up to about 500 words).
We’ve been enjoying the hospitality at Cloverdale Coffee Company for the past two years.
The next get together will be Monday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.
For more on Davies, visit her at trudymdavies.wordpress.com. If you’d like to know more about Poets Unlimited, or would like to participate, email Davies at trudymdavies@gmail.com.