Contributor Spotlight Interview:
Aaron Bowker
1. Basho, Buson, or Issa? (No saying Shiki, even if that's the correct answer.)
Definitely Buson.
2. Who is one person who has been a mentor to you in the short form community?
None other than Jerome Berglund. I am not a writer or artist by trade, far from it. I’ve mostly sketched or written what’s in my mind, or for others. I’m not sure I ever would have written for my pencil drawings without his encouragement. The guidance I received helped me find my voice/pen and put my soul into words.
3. Publications, where was your first and your most recent?
My first is a tie between The Wombwell Rainbow and The Hooghly Review. The Hooghly Review was the first publication to accept three Haiga, which I am eternally grateful for. Paul Brookes was the first to publish a haiku derived from a photography prompt.
Most recently goes to Heterodox Haiku and the 7 Deadly Sins edition. That was a lot of fun.
4. Favorite horror movie or book, romance movie or book, writer or film director working in a language you can't fluently speak?
Horror book: The Dark Tower Series of novels - I had to list this as the theory behind this novel series is something I can deeply relate to.
Writer in another language: Stieg Larsson
5. Favorite jazz, folk, blues singer or musician?
This might be the most difficult question I’ve ever had to answer. I have a profound love for blues music and chase live performances around the country when I can. To answer this properly, I have to list old and new.
Blues: old - Muddy Waters; new - Marcus King
The reason I feel you have to add a new artist is because this old art form is not carried by many new artists and Marcus King has blown it out of the water. He’s an old soul who has added a touch of rock while sticking to the old art form of blues.
6. Who's a great haiku or senryu poet whose work speaks to you that you’d like more people to be aware of?
Eavonka, @Stormofcuteness
Seashores Haiku Journal, 2023
7. Politically if you had the ability to fix one issue via policy changes what would it be?
Again, this is really hard, because of how our political system here in the U.S has been turned upside down. Picking just one: The right to bear arms. Guns are only made to kill. Period. Many countries have reduced or outright eliminated this “right” and society has moved on. Once we get out of our own way, hopefully my children’s generation gets to fix this as adults.
8. Describe a pet you treasure/d, your own or someone else’s.
Golden Retriever named Montana. He was my dog as a child. He was a perpetual teaser running. Around the house with your toys or shorts in a game of keep away. He was also protective of my brother and I. He had a good kind soul.
9. What season do you feel you write best or most frequently and why?
Winter, where I live it’s most prevalent and lends itself to darker writing.
10. If you could nominate one poem (not your own) from the last year and its poet for an individual Touchstone award, who and what would they be?
Robert recently posted this, and it blew me away.
silence mortar scrape
night and day again between
my wall and your wall
Robert Frede Kenter
11. Who is one historical person whose activism or accomplishments especially inspire you, and why?
Suffering a horrific childhood where she remained mute for five years. she catapulted herself into an amazing career spanning decades and delivered some of the most amazing poetry ever written. Working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X, she moved into education and eventually politics working on committees, and delivering inaugural poems. While she was widely known for her autobiographies, her poetry tapped into the human spirit and woman’s strength. I’ve always been amazing by her strength and her ability to capture life into words that carry the strength of the ocean.
12. What have you learned about writing poetry you wish you realized earlier?
Write what you feel not what you see.
13. One food, drink, song you adore?
Red Snapper, Coffee, Wild Flowers and Wine - Marcus King
14. In your poems what bird, plant, weather pattern has appeared frequently?
Trees. I love trees. They have deep roots, strength, and provide shelter to anyone who needs it. They withstand storms, and hold the deepest of secrets.
15. If you could get a roundtrip plane ticket and accommodations comped to any place, where would you visit?
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