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Treasuring Poetry: Meet author and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau and a book review #poetrycommunity #bookreview #TreasuringPoetry

Posted: August 21, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Book Review, Interview, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , |102 Comments
Picture Caption: Banner for Treasuring Poetry featuring a group of giraffes

Today, I am delighted to welcome talented poet and author, Elizabeth Gauffreau, as my Treasuring Poetry guest.

What is your favourite style of poetry to read i.e. haiku, ballad, epic, freestyle, etc?

My favorite style of poetry to read is free verse, although recently I’ve become quite taken with the duplex and the pantoum. I also enjoy reading persona poems, such as T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” which has been a long-time favorite of mine. In addition, I enjoy narrative poems such as George Franklin’s Angel of Sorrow poems. (Travels of the Angel of Sorrow and What the Angel Saw, What the Saint Refused)

What is your favourite poem in your favourite style to read?

Because I’ve been reading more poetry collections in the past several years than I ever have before, it’s hard to pick just one favorite poem. I’m going to go with Patricia Smith’s “Now He’s an Etching.”

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is definitely not my favorite poetry form. However, Smith uses it so skillfully, I didn’t even notice the meter until someone pointed it out to me.

I strongly encourage readers to listen to Smith read the poem herself to get the full experience of it. https://poets.org/poem/now-hes-etching  (Click on the blue speaker icon on the right side of the screen.)

Now He’s an Etching

of the sluggish, coolly vengeful way

a southern body falters. Muscles whine 

with toiling, browning teeth go tilt and splay,

then tremulous and gone. The serpentine

and slapdash landscape of his mouth is maze

for blue until the heart—so sparsely blessed,

lethargic in its fatty cloak—OKs

that surge of Tallahatchie through his chest,

and Lordy, hear that awful moan unlatch?

Behind the mic, he’s drowning in that great        

migration uniform of sharkskin patched

with prayer and dust. His cramped feet palpitate

in alligator kickers, needle-toed,

so tight he feels the thudding blood, so tight

they make it way too easy to unload

his woe. The drunken drummer misses right

on time, the speakers sputter static, but

our bluesman gravels anyhow—The moon

won’t even rise for me tonight / now what’s

a brokedown man gon’ do? That wretched croon

delights the urban wanderers, intent

on loving on this perfect underwhelm

of Negro, jinxed and catastrophic, bent

into his hurting halves. Inside the realm

of pain as pageant, woozy revelers raise

their plastic cups of fizz and watered rye

to toast the warbler of decay, whose dazed

and dwindling lyric craves its moonlit sky.

“Now He’s an Etching” made such an impression on me that I actually sent a “fan girl” message to Patricia Smith (to which she responded graciously with “thank you”). Then I wrote a puente in response to her poem. (I’ve sent it out to literary magazines in hopes of getting it published.)

I would be remiss if I didn’t include Smith’s commentary on her poem:

About this Poem

“I mourn the elders. I mourn the black  bluesmen and women who could only move sanely through their hours with the help of heartbreak. I miss their stout southern stature, bodies  resolute with a recollected woe. I ache for the gut gravel of lyric, the  knowledge that my crooner is truly suffering, and that she or he has  decided to allow us to suffer too. But many of the elders still with us  have become millennial playthings, one of the many ‘woke’ things to  sample and add to the cultural resume. Hopefully, this poem springs from  that space.”

—Patricia Smith

Your new poetry book, Simple Pleasures, comprises of haiku. Is that your favourite form of poetry? Why?

No, it isn’t. My go-to is free verse.  In this instance, though, haiku was the best form to convey the experiences I wanted to share with readers.

What is your favourite of your poems in Simple Pleasures?

I’m going to go with this one because it was inspired by the Green Mountains of Vermont, which is where my heart is.

back in the valley

peeling fence to lean on

Green Mountains steadfast

Tell us a bit about Simple Pleasures. What inspired the book? How did you choose the title and cover?

My husband and I were on a scenic drive to escape the awful mess the world is in, and a haiku just popped into my head. So I wrote it down (fiddled with it, of course) and took a picture of the scene which inspired it. My husband and I had fun going on the hunt for the wild haiku together, so we kept at it for a year, until I had enough poems and photographs for a collection and had covered all four seasons. Now that the book is finished, I miss those hunts!

The title Simple Pleasures refers to the simple pleasures of life, which never fail to restore my equilibrium in difficult times. The subtitle, Haiku from the Place Just Right, refers to the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” which was part of my childhood, probably from church camp. Simple pleasures and simple gifts are synonymous to me, so the title and the subtitle seemed just right!

As far as the cover went, I wanted something that would show up clearly in an online thumbnail, which is why I went with a saturated color for the background. The branch of flowering crabapple spoke to me as having a haiku feel to it in its simplicity.

My review of Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right

Picture caption: Cover of Simple Pleasures featuring a spray of pink blossoms against a dark blue background

Simple Pleasures is a collection of delightful haiku written about a variety of different places that have moved the poet to write due to their beauty, family connection, or historical meaning. Each poem is accompanied by a gorgeous colour photograph (I read the ebook). As a South African, I found this book to be a wonderful visual and literary tour of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

One of my favourite poems in the collection is as follows:
“grey heavens, grey sea
goldenrod out of context
lighthouse bears witness”

This short collection of 53 poems will fill your heart with joy.

Purchase Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Pleasures-Haiku-Place-Right-ebook/dp/B0D6P8SXYY

About Elizabeth Gauffreau

Picture caption: Elizabeth Gauffreau author photograph

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.

Liz has published a novel, TELLING SONNY: THE STORY OF A GIRL WHO LOVED THE VAUDEVILLE SHOW, and a collection of photopoetry, GRIEF SONGS: POEMS OF LOVE & REMEMBRANCE. Her latest release is also photopoetry: SIMPLE PLEASURES:HAIKU FROM THE PLACE JUST RIGHT. She is currently working on a novel, THE WEIGHT OF SNOW AND REGRET, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968.

Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018.

Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband.

About Robbie Cheadle

Photo of Robbie Cheadle standing in front of trees.

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.

Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR

Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature

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102 Comments on “Treasuring Poetry: Meet author and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau and a book review #poetrycommunity #bookreview #TreasuringPoetry”

  1. thomasstigwikman's avatar thomasstigwikman says:
    August 21, 2024 at 2:36 am

    The poem “Now He’s an Etching” does sound better when read by the poet than by myself (in my head). It is a great presentation of “Simple Pleasures”

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  2. Dave Astor's avatar Dave Astor says:
    August 21, 2024 at 4:40 am

    Robbie and Liz, terrific combination of poetry, a Q&A, and a review as two fabulous writers “meet”! The language in Patricia Smith’s “Now He’s an Etching” is stunning; I can see, Liz, why you sent a fan message.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  3. Gwen M. Plano's avatar Gwen M. Plano says:
    August 21, 2024 at 6:43 am

    Wonderful post! I loved the Q&A and shares. Congratulations, Liz, on your latest jewel. And thank you, Robbie, for showcasing Liz today. Hugs to each of you!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  4. marianbeaman's avatar marianbeaman says:
    August 21, 2024 at 7:25 am

    How interesting that you, Liz, read Patricia Smith’s poem and then had been inspired to write your own and send it out for possible publication. That’s taking initiative, the true grit that has inspired Simple Pleasures, a collection I’ve read and reviewed. Watch for the reveal tomorrow.

    Maybe going on more forays into nature with your husband will reveal other creative expression. Kudos to the host today–and to the poet!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  5. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    August 21, 2024 at 8:03 am

    Thank you so much, Marian! As it turned out, from the time I sent Robbie my responses to her questions and today, my poem was accepted by Touchstone, the journal of the New Hampshire Poetry Society, for their fall issue. I’m looking forward to visiting you tomorrow.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  6. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    August 21, 2024 at 8:08 am

    Thank you for hosting me today, Robbie! You did a fantastic job with the presentation. This line from your review made my day: “This short collection of 53 poems will fill your heart with joy.” That was exactly my intent for the book!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  7. joynealkidney's avatar joynealkidney says:
    August 21, 2024 at 9:03 am

    Patricia Smith’s commentary is so poignant. This entire post is a delight!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  8. Kymber @booomcha's avatar Kymber Hawke says:
    August 21, 2024 at 9:18 am

    I love everything about this post! It was delightful!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  9. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:
    August 21, 2024 at 9:42 am

    A wonderful interview, Robbie and Liz!

    Liz, I enjoyed the poem, too, and Patricia’s Smith reading is terrific. And congratulations on your poem’s acceptance (I saw in the comments above).

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  10. D. Wallace Peach's avatar D. Wallace Peach says:
    August 21, 2024 at 10:01 am

    I enjoyed this interview and getting to know Liz better, as well as her thoughts about poetry. Smith’s poem is gorgeous and her commentary is poetic too. The meter seemed invisible to me too, fading behind the imagery and emotion. Liz’s poetry is beautiful, and her collection of haiku is wonderful. I need to write a review today! Congrats to Liz. Thanks for hosting, Robbie and Kaye Lynne. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    August 21, 2024 at 10:41 am

    A lovely review, Robbie. Congratulations to Liz.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  12. Audrey Driscoll's avatar Audrey Driscoll says:
    August 21, 2024 at 11:53 am

    Liz, I had never read anything by Patricia Smith, nor heard of her, so this poem is a revelation.

    Robbie, thanks for adding to the insights on Liz’s Simple Pleasures.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  13. GP's avatar GP says:
    August 21, 2024 at 12:22 pm

    Liz, once again you describe poetry in such a way that even I understand it. Thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  14. Rebecca Budd's avatar Rebecca Budd says:
    August 21, 2024 at 12:32 pm

    Liz & Robbie – the interview was fantastic, and discussing poetry always leads to enriching conversations.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  15. T. W. Dittmer's avatar T. W. Dittmer says:
    August 21, 2024 at 2:39 pm

    It’s wonderful to see such talented poets acknowledged. Their writing is fabulous.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  16. roughwighting's avatar roughwighting says:
    August 21, 2024 at 5:54 pm

    Honestly, poetry intimidates me. So, I really enjoyed this Q & A and Liz’s responses about poetry, and about how Simple Pleasures evolved. If I have to work at a poem, I don’t stay with it. (Is that awful to say?) I received a M.A. in English and took a course in Contemporary American Poetry (this was years ago) and we had to study the poet first to know all about his/her life (and almost all were male poets) to understand his poem. I thought that was silly. I like Liz’s haikus, where we easily read each line and then get an “aha” at the end. Not only that, but I agree with Liz – we need Simple Pleasures, and the appreciation of them, to make it this day and age. Thanks to both of you!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  17. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:
    August 21, 2024 at 7:02 pm

    What a wonderful way to assemble a poetry/photo collection! I see no reason why it has to end with just one book.

    Another great interview Robbie. Liz is full of wisdom. (K)

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  18. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:
    August 21, 2024 at 10:25 pm

    I’m not much of a poet, but I would assume choosing a favorite is like someone asking you to pick your favorite child. The magic of words is there are countless ways to put them together to evoke the strongest of feelings. Continued success to Liz as her book tour moves along to the next stops.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  19. singlikewildflowers's avatar singlikewildflowers says:
    August 22, 2024 at 12:58 am

    Wonderful interview and review!! I visited Vermont with my husband once for a friend’s wedding, and the beauty of that place is something I will always remember with fondness.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  20. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray says:
    August 22, 2024 at 9:01 am

    Excellent interview. I love, Liz, that you confessed to Haiku not being your favorite form of poetry, despite being your latest book, but that it was the right form for what you had to say. That speaks volumes to all writers and poets.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  21. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar Baydreamer - Lauren Scott says:
    August 22, 2024 at 9:43 am

    Liz and Robbie, I enjoyed this wonderful interview, and I loved reading the backstory of how Liz’s book came to be. From Robbie’s beautiful review, it sounds like a book right up my alley. Congrats, Liz, and thanks, Robbie! 💞

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  22. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    August 23, 2024 at 7:50 am

    Robbie, you are a terrific interviewer and reviewer. Liz, you are, too. Best of all, you both write beautiful poetry. Kindred souls at work, here.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  23. Miriam Hurdle's avatar Miriam Hurdle says:
    August 24, 2024 at 7:31 pm

    I enjoyed this interview, Robbie and Liz! It was wonderful that you included Patricia Smith’s reading of her poem “Now He’s an Etching.” I like her voice. Congratulations on the publication of your poem, Liz. Thank you for hosting, Kaye.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  24. Dawn Pisturino's avatar Dawn Pisturino says:
    August 26, 2024 at 10:25 am

    Lovely haiku! Liz’s book definitely looks intriguing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  25. Unknown's avatar Wrapping up the “Poetry Treasures 5: Simple Pleasures” Book Blog Tour | Writing to be Read says:
    April 27, 2025 at 5:00 am

    […] You can catch Liz’s interview with Robbie Cheadle on “Treasuring Poetry” here: https://writingtoberead.com/2024/08/21/treasuring-poetry-meet-author-and-poet-elizabeth-gauffreau-an… […]

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