Verbal visualization is defined as the ability to speak of something so clearly you can actually see what the author is trying to convey. Occasionally those of us who enjoy reading come across a writer who is able to take us on a visual journey with his words. This month’s featured author uses poetry that has a way of weaving words and creating a tapestry of rich colors enabling us to see the beauty or raw reality of the space in time he is showing us.
I would like to introduce you all to the author of Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar:
B. K. Hotchkins
I came across Mr. Hotchkins while checking out various blogs and from the very beginning I was impressed with his ability to paint a picture using words. It was the poem “The Conversation” which first caught my attention. In this poem the speaker was praying to a seemingly unhearing God, and when it was all said and done, God let him know his situation was not as desperate as he thought. Hmmmm… It was Mr. Hotchkins ability to relay those emotions that made me want to experience more of his writing.
Generally speaking, poetry can be a tricky endeavor. It has to embody lyrical and visual balance without being so abstract and obscure that it loses the reader. Mr. Hotchkins has found that balance and used it to create a body of work that grabs the imagination and takes us on a whirlwind journey of the unexpected.
Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar is a hybrid of poetic prose and verse created to take you inside the narrator’s mind and allow you to see the world in a different and creative way. Though the poetry in this book is written in the first person; most of the pieces are not from personal experience but rather taken from Mr. Hotchkins’ imagination. This double view point creates a series of creative pieces that acts as a cross section which runs the gamut of human emotions and experiences.
The Interview
1. Culturally, from the Harlem renaissance through the 70’s, poetry was a way to visually voice how we view the world. Where do you feel your voice fits into the continuum of the African American poetic tradition?
My voice is one which speaks to the transition of darkness to enlightenment through rhyme. The book, “Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar”, is an attempt to look inward from an outward perspective; its my perspective of the world in which I live. There is only one poem in the book which is based on first hand experience, “100 Words 4 Self, Son’s Account”. It is about me never being there for my son because I had to work two jobs. Concerning where my voice fits, the bulk of African American poets I’ve studied, primarily write from a cultural standpoint. I chose to create a colorless poetic presentation and only allude to race in, “Untitled, Ruination of Indulgence”, which specifically focuses on the pain caused due to being wrapped in black skin. The goal was to allow any reader to picture themselves living the poem, had I added race into the mix, I would have defeated my intent. The prose I write is a collage of powerful imagery, I use it in effort to attach words to reality, without doing so poetry has no value.
2. With spoken word gaining in mainstream popularity where do you see your niche within this new “generation” and how do you hope your audience will perceive your work?
My goal is to write the definitive piece. I’d rather be remembered with the likes of Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni rather than Mos Def. Spoken word has its place, however, it seems to caters to the listener in a manner which is geared toward getting applause rather than receiving praise. My niche lies within writing timeless prose which is to be read, visualized, contemplated and discussed. My hope is the audience will see “Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar” as easy to digest, a visual poetry book designed help them escape from reality if only for fleeting moments. I want the reader to fall in love with the words contained within, one letter, one poem, one book at a time!
3. Hip Hop has taken a beating over its use of controversial language and lack of stylized presentation. As a poet how do you feel about the current “battle” over hip hop and how do you reconcile your own more risqué works against the hip hop litmus test?
Great question! Hip Hop is taking a beating for the video imagery more so than the lyrics, what is missing is balance within the genre. Crack music without the cultural intellectualism side is nonsensical, which is why Hip Hop, as Nasty Nas so eloquently put it, is currently dead. I don’t think there is currently a so-called battle over Hip Hop. Its place within African American culture is almost to the point of irrelevancy concerning its ability to unite us in effort to create positive change. Hip Hop is now a cliché, if you will, for “get money, flaunt money, blow money”. My reconciliation works because “Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar” provides a panoramic view of life, plus, its written from the first person perspective of each character, not that of myself. I don’t promote a certain way of living, I merely attempt to expose the reader to the all the possibilities involved in being.
4. As a first work, your book creates a backdrop for an honest look at how we see the world. Many of the poems take unexpected turns. Why was it so important for you create pieces challenged your reader’s pre-conceived perceptions about what they were about to read.
“Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar” is totally about mirroring life, which allows for the unexpected. It is a book every reader can identify with due to its graphic nature, vividness and ability to trick the reader into committing to one thought only to jerk them into a different direction; similar to life, this book too is designed to force the individual to consider their place in the grand scheme of things. The challenge is to get the reader to focus on picturing themselves or someone they know as the central character, in doing so, they gain a greater appreciation for the situation, the words and the ending.
5. Most writers pull from personal inspiration or vivid imagination; what is your biggest inspiration when writing?
My biggest inspirations are the letters, when constructed in the proper manner they can build or destroy; the power they weld is intoxicating! However, life too is an inspiration within itself. Most of the pieces in the book are taken from the lives of those who surround me, random events and how I “think” situations should play out. As I’ve stated numerous times, I hate to read, however, I passionately love words, writing, creating stories, poems which impact the reader in a life changing manner. Not all of my poems are a catalyst for growth, but I’d like to think some of them help my readers in one way or another.
6. What can we expect from you in terms of future endeavors?
I’m currently working on my second literary offering, Peering Through The Window Pane Window, which is shaping up to be a poetic novel about “becoming” a woman and everything it entails. In addition, I’m in the studio working on “Capturing Sunrays in a Glass Jar, the One Take Spit Tape”, which is a CD featuring approximately 20 of my favorite poetic pieces set to music. This summer I’ll be conducting a poetic workshop entitled “The Soul of Prose, Poetry in Our Terms” for Langston University. In short, it educates students concerning how to write prose, appreciate the history of poetry in America (including Hip Hop) and gain insight about contemporary poetic expression via utilizing open mic, spoken word, and poetry slam. Concerning the spoken word genre of poetry, I’ve begun to dabble, having performed at 11 events to date. This medium is perfect for poetry memorization. My goal is to commit all 58 pieces in the book to memory in effort to be able to present them to readers of the book should I be asked. If readers are interested in following my journey, I can be found at www.slumpfacade2.blogspot.com or reached via e-mail at bk@noblesseobligedp.com.
B.K. Hotchkins has accomplished his mission in this wonderful read; he has effectively captured sunrays in a glass jar and the prism of colors it creates!
