An interview with
Carl "Papa" Palmer
What is, in your opinion, the best thing (or your favourite thing) that you’ve ever written? Tell us about it.
Using the alphabet as phonetic words, onomatopoeia, I formed an abecedarian poem on my business card. When I ask someone to read the bold portion out loud, it is such fun to watch their reaction as they realize what they are saying.
Using the alphabet as phonetic words, onomatopoeia, I formed an abecedarian poem on my business card. When I ask someone to read the bold portion out loud, it is such fun to watch their reaction as they realize what they are saying.
Who are your favourite writers, and what influences your writing?
Your Daily Poem, YDP.com, arrives in my inbox every morning introducing me
to my newest favorite poet.
I grew up reading Louis L’Amour cowboy stories from Bantam books that fit in my back pocket. Hondo, Bowdrie and the Sacketts, all my heroes, all became movies later on. In my wanderings, I came across SMOKE FROM THIS ALTAR, his book of poetry, ballads and sonnets, a keepsake, now in my leather bound Louis L’Amour Collection.
What are your hobbies?
Story Starters
I have notebooks and computer files filled with thoughts, ideas, poems, prompts, versions of other people’s versions, paragraphs from a mystery or journal I’ve read, scenes seen on TV or something special from a conversation with a friend.
Not an obligation or obsession of a diary, daily journal chore or must-do project making it become work instead of fun, but the occasional inspiration to write down or add to what I have started before, not wanting it to be abandoned, forgotten or vanish if I don’t a least jot a sentence or stanza as a reminder so it won’t be lost, so I can finish it later, make it mine.
Describe yourself as if you are a character in one of your own stories / poems
author-ized alterations
not actually how it may have happened
but maybe how I wish it would have
occurred or could come about if ever
that circumstance should emerge again
as an author I am able to alter any event
change outcomes actions and answers
make it different and do it all over again
when or wherever by use of written words
perhaps hoping you’ll read what I wrote
believe that it really did happen that way
possibly change more than just the story
maybe change how I get along with you
Tell us something crazy.
It is what it is
I’ve heard it a lot lately. Is it a current cliché
or catch phrase, the pat answer recap signaling
an end to any further conversation about it ?
Like the sobbing boy holding his empty cone,
ice cream scoop on the floor as his dad hugs
him and says, Don’t cry, son, it is what it is.
Or a response of surrender, of defeat, giving up,
helplessly accepting things being what they are,
nothing more and nothing can be done about it ?
Like the coach at the post-game press conference
fielding endless questions about why he lost the
game ending his interview with, It is what it is.
Rather than it is what it is, maybe it should be
it ain’t what it ain’t ~ ‘taint what ‘taint
or it is not what it is not ~ ‘snot what ‘snot.
Still, whatever it is or it isn’t, it remains it.
It is what it is ~ it’s what it’s
or as the poet says, ‘tis what ‘tis.
Your Daily Poem, YDP.com, arrives in my inbox every morning introducing me
to my newest favorite poet.
I grew up reading Louis L’Amour cowboy stories from Bantam books that fit in my back pocket. Hondo, Bowdrie and the Sacketts, all my heroes, all became movies later on. In my wanderings, I came across SMOKE FROM THIS ALTAR, his book of poetry, ballads and sonnets, a keepsake, now in my leather bound Louis L’Amour Collection.
What are your hobbies?
Story Starters
I have notebooks and computer files filled with thoughts, ideas, poems, prompts, versions of other people’s versions, paragraphs from a mystery or journal I’ve read, scenes seen on TV or something special from a conversation with a friend.
Not an obligation or obsession of a diary, daily journal chore or must-do project making it become work instead of fun, but the occasional inspiration to write down or add to what I have started before, not wanting it to be abandoned, forgotten or vanish if I don’t a least jot a sentence or stanza as a reminder so it won’t be lost, so I can finish it later, make it mine.
Describe yourself as if you are a character in one of your own stories / poems
author-ized alterations
not actually how it may have happened
but maybe how I wish it would have
occurred or could come about if ever
that circumstance should emerge again
as an author I am able to alter any event
change outcomes actions and answers
make it different and do it all over again
when or wherever by use of written words
perhaps hoping you’ll read what I wrote
believe that it really did happen that way
possibly change more than just the story
maybe change how I get along with you
Tell us something crazy.
It is what it is
I’ve heard it a lot lately. Is it a current cliché
or catch phrase, the pat answer recap signaling
an end to any further conversation about it ?
Like the sobbing boy holding his empty cone,
ice cream scoop on the floor as his dad hugs
him and says, Don’t cry, son, it is what it is.
Or a response of surrender, of defeat, giving up,
helplessly accepting things being what they are,
nothing more and nothing can be done about it ?
Like the coach at the post-game press conference
fielding endless questions about why he lost the
game ending his interview with, It is what it is.
Rather than it is what it is, maybe it should be
it ain’t what it ain’t ~ ‘taint what ‘taint
or it is not what it is not ~ ‘snot what ‘snot.
Still, whatever it is or it isn’t, it remains it.
It is what it is ~ it’s what it’s
or as the poet says, ‘tis what ‘tis.
What’s the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview? And what did you answer?
“Papa, do you actually believe your own lies?”
truth be told
my stories always
contain elastic
truth stretched
each time
to add interest
for any of you
that may have
already heard
this story before
I’ll tell it two or three
different ways before
I’d ever lie about it
What is your writing set-up? (E.g your garden shed, a cafe etc) and are there any things you must have to get the words to flow, e.g a lucky hat or favourite shirt?
Papa's Writing Corner
An indoor retreat where I put up my feet,
listen to relaxing music Pandora spa radio,
sipping quality bourbon, brandy or wine,
publications filling shelves with journals,
anthologies, books, pamphlets, magazines
each containing at least one of my pieces
in poetry or prose, six in foreign languages.
Open any to see a part of me, my memoir,
where I was when, who I was then, why I did
what I did, or didn't do, or wish I did, maybe
even find a story somewhat true about you.
“Papa, do you actually believe your own lies?”
truth be told
my stories always
contain elastic
truth stretched
each time
to add interest
for any of you
that may have
already heard
this story before
I’ll tell it two or three
different ways before
I’d ever lie about it
What is your writing set-up? (E.g your garden shed, a cafe etc) and are there any things you must have to get the words to flow, e.g a lucky hat or favourite shirt?
Papa's Writing Corner
An indoor retreat where I put up my feet,
listen to relaxing music Pandora spa radio,
sipping quality bourbon, brandy or wine,
publications filling shelves with journals,
anthologies, books, pamphlets, magazines
each containing at least one of my pieces
in poetry or prose, six in foreign languages.
Open any to see a part of me, my memoir,
where I was when, who I was then, why I did
what I did, or didn't do, or wish I did, maybe
even find a story somewhat true about you.