Lorrie Ness’s Comments

I’ve long thought that the “magic” of childhood comes not from any idyllic or innocent experiences, but stems from experiencing the novelty of “first times,” both good and bad. For us, at a young age, the world is a mystery and even the most banal experiences can sizzle with intensity that borders on the mystic. Outcomes have yet to become anticipated and the world is more of an immersive experience in every moment. As a child, these “firsts” are stacked up against each other … happening every day. As we become older, the spacing gets wider and wider, and the sense of magic fades into predictability.

For me, writing poetry is a means of stepping back into the raw intensity that life has in childhood. When I sit down to write a poem, it is often about a reflection I’ve had or an experience in my life, but what makes it sing is that the window to the raw, creative world I knew as a child is thrown open. I am able to access layers of feelings and reflections that would not be available if I were just thinking about the subject in my daily existence. With each poem that I write, I feel like I reclaim a little bit of childhood magic, and I try and share this with readers.

I hope that my work can take readers on a journey away from predictability. I love reading other people’s poetry for the same reason. It brings me a series of new “firsts.” I’m grateful for everyone who reads and writes and shares.

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