ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE OCTOBER 2023 VOL VI. ISSUE XXXV | LITERATURE
Article Published on: 07th NOV 2023 | www.demodemagazine.com
"FUDGE" - BY AUTHOR ANDREW WEATHERHEAD
There were other stories, but they aren’t right,” Andrew Weatherhead writes in Fudge, a collection of minimalist long poems that find holy the tedium and calamity that shapes our lives. Wandering around a hollowed city, looking for a lost feeling like a key that will unlock the secret of self, only to be put on hold while a coup unfolds on television—these poems make the strangeness of life feel valid, in all of its violent contradiction.
These poems invite us to wander alongside the narrator through a city that, though hollowed, teems with hidden meaning and significance. The search for a lost feeling, akin to a key that can unlock the enigma of one's self, becomes a quest that resonates with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of identity and existence. It's a journey that meanders through the labyrinth of emotions, from moments of quiet introspection to tumultuous self-discovery.
One of the remarkable features of Weatherhead's work is its ability to validate the inherent strangeness of life. Through his carefully chosen words and vivid imagery, he captures the essence of existence in all its vivid contradictions. Life is not just a series of grand adventures and epic narratives; it's also composed of the tedium and calamity that shape our everyday reality.
As readers, we are drawn into these poems, finding ourselves reflected in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. Weatherhead's work serves as a reminder that within the smallest and most overlooked moments, there resides a profound depth of experience waiting to be uncovered. "Fudge" is a poetic exploration of the human condition, where the quotidian is elevated to the sublime, and the strangeness of life is embraced with open arms.
BOOK REVIEW
“Here are poems of dailiness, poems as dalliance, poems to remind you of the ways you’re waiting without claiming to be or even know that thing you’re waiting for. They’re perfect.” - Kyle Beachy, author of The Most Fun Thing “Uncannily potent for how restrained. My favorite working poet.” —Sean Thor Conroe, author of Fuccboi
JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR ANDREW WEATHERHEAD
Andrew Weatherhead, a prolific writer and artist hailing from the charming town of Glens Falls, New York, has left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary poetry. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for evocative storytelling, Weatherhead has established himself as a notable voice in the literary landscape. His body of work includes three distinct and captivating poetry collections: "$50,000," "TODD," and "Cats and Dogs."
In "$50,000," Weatherhead ventures into the intricacies of life and finance, weaving a tapestry of verse that explores the tension between personal dreams and the cold, hard reality of financial constraints. The collection delves into the pursuit of aspirations, financial or otherwise, and the sacrifices one must make along the way. Weatherhead's poetic language takes readers on a journey through the complex emotional landscape that surrounds our ambitions and the cost of achieving them.
"TODD," another compelling addition to Weatherhead's repertoire, delves into the exploration of identity and self-discovery. Through this collection, he navigates the complexities of individuality and the fluidity of human experience. Each poem is a lens through which readers can examine the multifaceted nature of existence, inviting introspection and reflection
"Cats and Dogs," yet another gem in Weatherhead's poetic crown, offers a glimpse into the everyday world through a unique and often humorous lens. The collection captures the mundane and extraordinary moments of life with a fresh perspective, highlighting the beauty and absurdity that often go unnoticed in our routines.
Weatherhead's work goes beyond mere words; it is a testament to his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. As a writer and artist who calls Glens Falls, NY, home, Andrew Weatherhead's contributions to the literary world are a testament to the power of language and creativity. His collections offer readers an opportunity to engage with the world in a new light, appreciating the intricacies of life through his artful storytelling and profound insights.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AUTHOR - www.andrewweatherhead.org
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON INSTAGRAM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR ANDREW WEATHERHEAD WITH DE MODE
Q: "Fudge" is described as a collection of minimalist long poems that embrace the tedium and calamity of life. Can you share what inspired you to explore these themes in your poetry, and how do you approach the concept of finding meaning in life's contradictions?
A. If the world is what we make of it, then we’re each carrying its weight on our backs daily. We feel lonely, fall in love, go to work, witness car accidents and pandemics, but we also have to do the laundry and wait for customer service reps to take our calls. My favourite art validates this whole spectrum of experience.
Q: The title "Fudge" carries a certain playfulness. Could you tell us about the significance of this title and how it relates to the content and tone of the poems in the collection?
A. Playfulness is a good word to describe it. I like fudge’s double meaning as a confection and a safe-for-work curse word. Fudge. Things have gone wrong, but not that wrong, and it’s all kind of a treat, isn’t it?
Q: Your work often combines art and writing. How does your background as an artist influence your approach to poetry, and do you see a strong connection between the two creative disciplines in your work?
A. Poetry asks a lot of our senses. Printed, it’s visual. Read aloud, it’s auditory. Memorized, it’s a feeling. And since we read left-to-right, top-to-bottom (in English at least), there’s a built-in narrative arrangement. It’s fun to play with all these aspects. I think a lot about poetry’s broken spaces: line breaks, stanza breaks, page breaks. They’re very powerful.
Q: The poems in "Fudge" seem to capture moments of everyday life, often finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Can you share some examples of these moments that you've explored in the collection?
A. The centerpiece of the book is a long poem I wrote while on hold with NBA League Pass Customer support for four hours. Writing this poem was a way to harness the immense energy of frustration and anger to turn it into something constructive and self-aware. When I can be present in my life like this, I find poetry everywhere.
Q: Your previous poetry collections include "$50,000," "TODD," and "Cats and Dogs." How does "Fudge" differ from your earlier work in terms of themes and style, and what evolution do you see in your poetic voice?
A. It trusts and explores the idea of the long poem – a way to write poetry without necessarily writing poems.
Q: As a writer and artist based in Glens Falls, NY, how do your environment and location influence your creative process and the themes you explore in your poetry?
A. I moved to Glens Falls after finishing this book. I had previously lived in New York City for many years, and this book feels like a farewell to city life. The last poem in the book – called “Last Poem” – was written while my wife and I were packing and those people stormed the capital. Felt apocalyptic.
Q: In your writing, you mention a search for a "lost feeling" that can unlock the secret of self. Could you delve into this concept and how it manifests in your poems?
A. I believe art helps us know ourselves on a deep, emotional level that is often overlooked but vital to our lives. When I’m making art, I’m always trying to chart new emotional territory, which – if found – will only be a prompt for further exploration. The journey is the destination, and the books are little flags I plant along the way.
Q: "Fudge" is scheduled to release on October 31st. What can readers expect from this collection, and are there any particular poems or themes you're excited for them to explore?
A. On October 31st, readers should expect to have their socks knocked off.
Q: Poetry often allows for a unique form of self-expression. How do you see your poems connecting with readers on a personal or emotional level, and what do you hope they take away from your work?
A. I hope my poetry is accessible and humorous without being evasive or needy or sacrificing depth of feeling. Poetry comes with a lot of societal and historical baggage, and I hope my writing can be enjoyed by people who don’t necessarily love the idea of poetry that was taught to us in grade school.
Q: Your work has been described as embracing the "strangeness of life." How do you view the role of poetry in capturing and celebrating life's inherent strangeness and contradictions?
A. It’s a way to be present and attentive to everything life has to offer. Going to the post office could be routine, even annoying, but if you try to write a poem about it, I guarantee you’ll start noticing things you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Before you know it, you’re in a whole new emotional realm.
Q: Could you share some insights into your creative process as a poet? Do you have any rituals or practices that help you find inspiration and shape your poems?
A. I try to write daily. Not necessarily in big, uninterrupted chunks. I like to find the pockets of tedium mentioned earlier and let the poetry in. I drop my daughter off at daycare, waiting for coffee to brew in the morning. These are where I have some of my best thoughts these days. It’s like a collaboration with the world.
Q: What advice would you offer based on your experiences you had in developing your unique poetic voice?
A. Keep going – and be creative in what that looks like. Don’t miss the forest for the trees.