TheLastBhramhin asked Alarie Tennille:

ALARIE, What does poetry mean to you? Why you write poetry? Thanks Norman

Alarie Tennille Sorry to make you wait so long, Norman. I've always loved books, even before I could read. My mother's generation memorized lots of poetry for school (alas, mine did not). She often recited long, silly poems for my delight, so poetry has always been wrapped up in my love of literature. It's a bit different from novels: in novels, I step into another world. In poetry, my eyes are more often opened to my own life and world, even when the author is talking about his.

I write poetry because I enjoy it, because I began writing stories as a child for the pleasure of creating something I could share with others. It took me decades to consider myself a poet, but I appreciate the shorter form, the task of trying to pack a lot of punch in a small space. I also prefer writing in reaction to my world over to having to maintain a long, complex story line for months on end. I'm afraid I'd get half way through a novel and start dreading the job.

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