Tonight we put the spotlight on Rose Segal, whose poem ‘Inventory of Important Things’ is published in issue 10 of Lucent Dreaming. You can watch and listen to the author read the piece on YouTube.
So, what inspired your piece ‘Inventory of Important Things’? Can you tell us a little more about what it’s about?
We were inbetween house moves when I wrote this poem, living in temporary accomodation with all our posessions in storage, and we needed to find some important documents. The poem spilled out from that stress, and from real grief for the homes we’d left behind, and for all the little daily things you touch and do that become a way of life. I was also pregnant at the time, so my body was home to our unborn son. I love how one little poem can swirl all of these big preoccupations together.
What are some of your favourite books and art (including shows, videos, music) – of all time or more recently. Why are they favourites?
I’m forever in awe of Lord Of The Rings. Robert Frost and Mary Oliver must be my favourite poets; I think Robert Frost taught me to love nature as much as nature teaches me to write poetry.
What, if anything, are you looking forward to right now and are there any writing/creative projects you’re currently working on?
We’ve moved to a farm in Wales with hopes of opening a retreat centre. My writer friends and I dream of running a Creative Writing retreat from here! Something very warm and inclusive. With lots of readings around campfires.
Can you tell us about how you got into writing and art? Is there anyone whose support or encouragement really inspired or motivated you?
As I child I would fill notebooks with stories and poems, usually about magical animals. I have an aunt who teaches literature very passionately; she praised my creations, and as I’ve developed my writing throughout two degrees and some huge life events, she has encouraged me at every turn to keep writing and to share my work. I’m also so grateful to all my writer friends for our creative exchanges, late night motivational cameraderie, help with naming poems, and just for reading my words when they feel new and urgent but don’t yet have a home.
Where can people see more of you and your work?
I have an Instagram account, which is full of horses as well as poetry! And my EP ‘Bring to Light’ is on Spotify.
Lucent Dreaming is an independent creative writing magazine of surreal writing and art, and publisher of emerging authors and artists worldwide. Subscribe to Lucent Dreaming now, support us on Patreon and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.