1) You have quite a record of success in recent poetry contests, Rachel. You won First Place in the Michigan version of the River of Words Contest a year ago and--in addition to recently capturing First Place in the annual Kent County Poetry Contest--I hear that you have won Second Place in a competition sponsored by the Toledo Art Museum. How does all of this success writing poetry make you feel?
It's so cool and exciting to have this much success. I am overwhelmed and I love it! I hope to continue writing meaningful poetry that people enjoy and to have fun doing it!!
2) Regarding your winning entry in the Kent County Poetry Contest, how did you get the idea for your poem, "Uncle Joe"?
I was having trouble thinking of things to write, and he had been on mind a lot lately so I decided to write a poem about him.
3)Do you often write about people from your life? And what's your favorite subject to write about?
I usually write about people, or events that have happened in my life, I have the strongest connections to these poems so I think they usually turn out the best. I also like to look at a complete stranger and make up a story about their life, or write poems about things I overhear at Schuler Books!
4) Was this written to give your uncle more recognition, or is there another motive behind the poem?
I think the poem was written more as a validation of his life. I wrote it because I felt like I didn't get to know him as well as I could have, and this was my way of explaining my relationship with him. I've shown the poem to my dad's brothers and sisters, and they all really enjoyed it but remarked that my Uncle Joe wasn't always a "doom and gloom" kind of person. I realize that, but I have only really known the more gloomy side to him. The later part of his life was complex and I didn't see him very much so I did take some artistic liberties in order for the poem to flow better.
5) This poem doesn't make war seem like a positive thing. Is this how you feel about war?
I feel that war is necessary at times, but the effects of it are far reaching. Who would have thought that someone born in 1991 would care so much and be affected so profoundly by the Vietnam War? War is something that transcends time. The Vietnam war was highly criticized, and I think war should be avoided whenever possible, but when it occurs, you need to find a way to deal with it.
6) Your beautiful poem has a melancholy tone that leaves us wondering what happened to your uncle later in life. Is there anything you can add that will shed light on that curiosity?
My Uncle Joe died two days after my birthday on January 6, 2006. My Grandpa had recently passed away in October of 2005, and it was really surprising that my Uncle died soon afterward. The ending lines of my poem refer to his death. He died alone in his apartment and wasn't found for a few days. It was horrible. So that's what I mean when I refer to the copper pots & such as witnesses to life reflected in his foggy glasses.
7) The detail in your poem allows it to flow so nicely, what are some of your favorite poetic tools that you use in your style?
Well, to tell you the truth I am not aware of any poetic tools that I use. If something sounds good, then I write it; if forced to choose, however, I quite like alliteration.
An Interview with Rachel McGuinness, Winner of the Student Division of the 2009 Kent County Poetry Contest
Submitted on July 6th, 2009