The Life of a Poet - Weasel

The dictionary defines the word weasel as a small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck or as a person that is sneaky or evasive. Since our latest poet to subject themselves to the “Life of a Poet” interview was a willing participant, we can maybe say that they are not evasive. So this can only mean that I am the first person to actually have a conversation with a real life talking weasel. All jokes aside, if you haven’t guessed it yet we are sitting down with Weasel the poet that is the author of the poetry blog “Systematic Weasel”.

I had to get the question out quickly for my own curiosity, why the pen name Weasel and why the blog name Systematic Weasel? The answer I received, “Well, there really is not special reason, my nickname in real life is Weasel, and Systematic just sounded right.” Maybe he is evasive after all? I didn’t prod further as to why the nickname but if you want to you are more than welcome to visit his blog and ask. Weasel hails from the great state of Texas. What makes it so great? Ask anyone from Texas and I’m sure they will quickly tell you.

As we progressed further into the interview Weasel shared with us his most adventurous undertaking to date. “I go to concerts yearly, and roughly two years ago there was a four day rock festival called Rock the Bayou. Four days, starting from 11AM-12AM, and it was still summer (late August, early September). I say it is the craziest thing I’ve ever done, because it was HOT! Literally. I was a VIP ticket holder, so I also got to meet some of the early acts that were on stage. Great show filled with great music, but next time needs to be in a cooler climate.” Weasel is a rocker and a poet what a perfect combination for some amazing prose if you ask me.

PU: What about poetry makes you want to write? Do you remember writing your first poem? If not what is earliest thing you can remember writing a poem about?
W: For me, it started out with song lyrics, back in my grade school days. A lot of the music I listened to had some very powerful stuff without the music behind it, the music, I noticed, gave it an extra kick. My first poem, I’m not really sure, but as for an early ones is a poem written in parts called, Thanks for the Laughter, Sorry for the Pain, telling the story of a broken relationship.

PU: What style of poem do you write the most? What about poetry do you find the most annoying or unreadable and why?
W: For the most part, I am a free verse poet, but will experiment with other styles. As for my pet peeves, I am still learning about Poetry, so I can’t say I have any pet peeves or any unreadable works. That is mostly due to me only scratching its surface.

PU: Some say the internet has created better exposure for poets and some say it has flooded the world with too much poetry. In your opinion has the internet helped or hurt poetry?
W: I think it has done both, actually. The internet has done many things, and there are waves of blogs and sites dedicated to poetry. With more exposure comes more criticism.

PU: When do you write the most? When you are happy, sad, lonely, day or night? Do you have a private place to write?

W: I have a sporadic writing schedule. Some days I’ll write early in the morning, or late in the evening. It really just depends on how I’m feeling that day. I write best when it’s done in private. I can’t think with the world around me sometimes. And I keep all of my work in a three-ring binder with a printed out picture of Alvin and the Chipmunks [sort of a fan, haven’t really seen them since I was a kid].

PU: What poem, written by you, do you like the most and why?
W: That is a hard one. I have a poem, called Philosophy. I like this one most, because it was fun to write, silly, and when I read it to others they had fun as well. Sometimes you just have to sit back and write a few silly pieces and share them with friends or on your blog. I always like to try and make people laugh, and when there is a room full of people laughing, it’s a good experience.

PU: Do you have a favorite poet? If so who are they? What is your
favorite poem by them?
W: One of my favorite poets, which I found recently, is John Ashbery. One of my favorite pieces he wrote is called Alone in the Lumber Business.




PU: Have you ever been published? Do you write with hopes of being published one day or is your writing just an expression or hobby for you?
W: I’ve been published in a local College Arts Journal, known as Threshold. I also was one of the literature editors. It would be nice to one day be published in a bigger publication company, but I am happy just sharing my work with the world through my blogs as well.

PU: Music inspires a lot of folks as it can be and most often is poetry itself. Do you listen to music when you write? What is your favorite type of music? What artist did you last purchase music for?
W: I have a wide music collection, both on Vinyl and CD’s, and I do listen to music when I write. I’m a rocker! I love to listen to rock and even the heavier styles of rock as well when I write. The last album I bought was The Scorpions Sting in the Tail, which is their last album, ending their long career.

PU: If you could have dinner with any famous dead person who would it be? Where and what would you eat?

W: When I was younger, I was a concert with three bands playing. Dio, Deep Purple and The Scorpions. During the Purple show, I was given a back stage pass to meet Ronnie James Dio, but when I went he had already left, for what I can’t remember. Just recently, he passed from stomach cancer (and was being treated in my home town). I would to have actually met him. I’ve heard that he enjoys a good burger, as do I, so a place like Red Robbins would be a choice (the one close by can make really good burgers).

PU: What other poets in the poetry blogosphere do you like to read or visit the most? (please list no more than 3)
W: This is a tough one, because there are so many great poets in the blogosphere. Though I often enjoy browsing:

Fiveloaf | encounters under the cocnut tree      Words and Thoughts by Eileen T O'Neil 

                                              Workspace Writings by JRM

PU: Poets are often creative on many different levels, when you are not writing what other hobbies or creative things do you do? What other talents do you have?
W: I’m an avid movie buff, and when I’m not writing, I watch films to unwind, on a projector, and a blank wall, which I just finished (plastering, painting, etc). I also play the trombone with a small group of people on Tuesday nights.

PU: Everyone has their favorites quotes they live by or repeat, mine is “He who Laughs…Lasts” ~ Mary Pettitbone Poole. What quote do you use often or live by.

“God is a luxury I can’t afford.”

I always laugh when I hear that. The statement is from Crimes and Misdemeanors, a film by Woody Allen.

Poets United is thankful for the effort and support given to us by Weasel. His laid back and fun loving attitude made this interview very enjoyable to conduct. If you wish to experience more of weasel’s chilled out but poignant style, be sure to visit the Systematic Weasel and read his prose. There’s never a dull moment when exploring this poetry blog.

There is much more to a poet than just their poetry. The folks that live behind the pen can be some of the most interesting people around. We look forward to giving our readers an intimate and personal look at some of the other poets found here at Poets United in future, so be sure to return to Poets United each week to see who we chat with next. Who knows it may be you that we talk to next.