SpotLight – Willow

Welcome back to SpotLight, I’m Damian DeadLove. Got another great episode tonight, that I hope you’ll enjoy. This interview segment is meant for the DU community, as a way to get to know about the poet/poetess behind the writes.

Our guest tonight is a poetess who calls the U.S. home. She’s been a member here since March of 2016. Although, it could be longer since she had previously profiles.

She’s a gifted poetess and writer. She’s a spitfire once you get her wound up, and for some reason I have the gift of taking her there, with some of the topics I write about. 

You all know her as WillowsWhimsies, I just call her (Willow). Round of applause for, Willow.

First off, Willow. Thanks for doing the show my friend. Really means a lot to me, you’ve been so supportive of my work, and presence here. And I appreciate you.

Through doing my homework. You listed: Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Keats, Maya Angelou, Shel Silverstein, etc. as influences. Also, you’re “About Me” is a cool poem in it’s self. I would recommend the readers read it, if they haven’t.

Question 1: You already listed some, but who are your influences. And how have they inspired your writing style?

That’s an interesting question for someone like me. I started writing before I even knew what I was doing was called poetry. But music…that’s a whole other thing. I could tap into a song & feel it. There’s always a song that fits whatever emotion is rocking you. I got lost in lyrics because they simultaneously transported & grounded me. I’m drawn to the lyrics as much as or more than the rhythm. Bill Withers is one I deeply admire the lyrics for…& though his voice isn’t all that & a bag of chips, Leonard Cohen gets me with his use of words. I didn’t really discover poetry until I started college in ’96. And that’s where I found Keats & Maya Angelou…blew my mind. I aspire to make people feel the way they make me feel. Like I’m there. Initially I started writing with the structured rhyming style but it never really fit my personality. It evolved into a more relaxed voice over time. Mostly by reading the incredible talent here in the Underground. But music…a good lyricist can leave me an emotional wreck.

I totally get you there, my friend. I love my music with great lyrics, I care about that too. I also agree, there is a song that fits every emotion you’re going through. Sometimes you have to cross genres to get there, but there is a song for every emotion.

Love me some, Cohen. Bob Dylan doesn’t have a great voice. It’s distinctive for sure, but the guy can write songs, and is one hell of a lyricist. 

I was a rhymer first, because of music. I’ve tried other writing styles and like them fine. But rhyming is like second nature now. lol. The most important thing is finding the style, that fits you best. Great answer my friend.

 Question 2: Every writer has a sweet spot, where they know they can bring it. Where the subject matter just comes natural. Mine is observational writes. I’m terrible at love and erotic ink. Just am, it’s not my comfort zone. My question is what do you consider your sweet spot, and where do you second guess yourself as a writer?

Oh your observational pieces generally send me into babbles. You trip my brain & the mouth engages. Like-minded riling up! 

I would confidently say my sweet spot is introspective poetry. I spend a lot of time in my head, exploring thoughts & memories. Trying to learn from everything. I started out writing as a form of trauma therapy. Turning ugly into more palpable metaphoric vistas. What I’m exploring & what I’m writing are often vastly different in presentation. It’s how I process. I think in poetry, silly as that may sound. 

My least confident area would have to be erotica. So much awe for the eroticists that can throw down fiery lines without flinching. I end up blunting every sharp edge & dipping fully into metaphor…all the while blushing like a fool. I don’t let it get to me. I’ll still dip into the erotic waters from time to time.

I know, I always make you go there. lol. Your commentary can get fiery, depending on the subject. Especially politics, they seem to rile you up most, I’ve noticed.

No I get it. Poetry is therapy. My writing didn’t start as therapy, but it evolved into it over time. So it does that for me as well. I’ve often wondered how people who don’t write at all, get their problems off their chest.

Erotica, is by far my least confident domain as well. They can definitely throw down for sure, and evoke feelings from their readers as well. I agree totally. I used to think love songs weren’t difficult lyrics, till I intentionally tried to write one. Got mad respect for them now. lol.

Question 3: I’ve quit writing a couple of times in my life. Two years was the longest I was away. Rather it be burn out or getting sober, I took my ball home and disappeared for a while. But I came back, obviously. Have you ever quit writing before? And if so, what always brings you back? 

Oh I go through dry spells all the time…but truly stopping, yes. I walked away from the pen for about 3 years when the pandemic hit. I was going through emotional upheaval & the words were all backed up in my mind. I just couldn’t get them out. Late ’23 I returned & slowly got my feet back under me again. I have over 100 poems unpublished just parked in the notes of my phone at any given time. There’s rarely silence in my mind. So when the words stopped for so long, it upended me & threw me into a terrible depression. I returned to these halls as a last ditch effort to find it again. In some key ways, I literally owe my life to the Underground & its residents. 

A lot of the voices & faces have changed over the years, but new & amazing ones have turned up. I find connections with people from all over the world here that I never would have met otherwise. People who speak the same language. It’s different, isn’t it? How some of us relate & communicate. Words come easily to the page for me but I struggle to speak them out loud. Without the outlet of writing…yeah…I don’t know how others do it either.

That’s an amazing story, Willow. Like me, you came here to find it again. I knew we had a lot of similarities, I think the evidence may be mounting. lol. It’s scary when you lose the gift, because there is always the fear it may not return. I owe a lot to DU, and it’s residents as well.

Yeah, I don’t know how they do it either. I truly think I would have gone insane, if it hadn’t been for writing. I’m naturally a person who holds things in, and writing let’s me vent those frustrations in my life. 

That’s why I refer to writing as the gift. I’ve also called it the curse. Depending on my mood that day. lol. Lately it’s been a gift though. I’m just enjoying the ride, my friend.

Question 4: Willow, I wanna thank you again for allowing me to interview you here on SpotLight. You’ve been a fabulous guest. It was an honor my friend, and it was fun getting to know you better. I appreciate you, and your continued support. People often talk about legacy, and their body of work. When the show is over and your story complete in this life. What’s the lasting impression you hope that readers will walk away with after reading your work?

Damian, this has been a true pleasure & I’m deeply grateful for both the chance to chat with you & to be featured. It’s been a fun experience! 

When I’m no longer putting pen to paper & all that’s left are my words… I would hope that I’ve reached someone in such a way that they forever feel seen. I try to write from a place of pure vulnerability & I don’t shy away from the tough topics or painful moments. I hope that when I’m gone someone will be able to say “damn, she said what I couldn’t, felt what I thought only I felt.” I want my legacy to be compassion & truth in ink. I’ve got a long way yet to go to achieve what I hope to accomplish, but human connection is vital to our survival. I’m not sure I’ve explained it properly, but that’s my hope for my legacy…to make others feel seen & valued.

That answer was a chef’s kiss, my friend. You’ve answered so well, I’m not even trying to follow up on that. It speaks for it’s self. Appreciate you, Willow.

That’s our show for tonight. Remember one thing my loyal DU audience, you never know who the SpotLight will shine on next. Appreciate you all. Peace, Love, & Lennon. I’m Damian DeadLove.