Interview: Matthew Freeman, Poet, Musician
Uncovering the moody, magical realness of the poetry of Matthew Freeman
Howdy Gang,
I tell you, I practice what I preach. And as I prepare to submit poetry to 2River View, I came across some incredible poetry and the poets behind them. I was granted the exceptional opportunity to interview one such poet, Matthew Freeman.
Matthew Freeman was raised in Dogtown, an old neighborhood in St Louis, Missouri, and after a circuitous journey obtained his BA from St Louis University and his MFA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. He is the author of several books of poems.
What’s your number one struggle when it comes to writing and how do you cope with it?
Thanks for asking! I think because over the years my memory has gotten so poor–which in some odd way can also be an advantage–I tend to repeat myself. But I comfort myself with the notion that maybe the whole work can be like a little symphony, with repeated themes and ideas.
What’s your writing routine look like? Do you write everyday or just when inspiration strikes?
The easy answer is both. I think since I was about 24–I’m 48 now–I’ve been writing every day. Sometimes it can be a mere stanza and then sometimes I’ll write two or three poems. And sometimes, not too often, a poem will come to me later in the day. And usually I have something to write– as I sit on my bed and get going. When I don’t I just try to be playful.
You recently Tweeted something rather funny and it got me thinking, how would you describe your voice in a few words? What was it like developing your voice as a poet?
Well, early on I had this vision of the kind of voice I was aiming for. Humorous, serious, something for the reader and something for the professors…I didn’t really know what I was doing exactly but I just kept writing. Lately I’ve come to understand that to a large extent my voice has been influenced by my dad and by Dogtown, the Irish-American neighborhood in which I grew up. And by St Louis itself– sort of a working-class vibe that abides no BS!
You’ve been published in quite a few literary journals, what was this process like? How many times did you get rejected before your work was published?
Well, you’re going to get some rejections, there’s just no avoiding it. But you’ve got to let that go, ignore it and just move on. A lot of the time when I see a journal pop up on Twitter I’ll send them my stuff and get lucky. And then when I accidentally write a poem in the high style I’ll try to send it somewhere where I think it might be appreciated. What’s funny is this: you send out a few good poems and a few crummy poems, and for some reason they accept one of the crummy ones. And you think, Well, maybe it wasn’t so crummy!
Read “I Appropriate the Literal” and “A Plea” now
“I Appropriate the Literal '' was published in 2River View in its most recent issue. I admire the way the poem starts in the very tangible and slowly, as if working its way through the plume of the cigarette smoke, becomes more ethereal and dream-like. That’s not a question, I just like the poem.
But I also noticed that a fair amount of psychoanalytic language is used, The Ego, the literal and the symbolic, the unconscious mind. I also detect notes of lack and desire in “A Plea” as well which pairs well with Lacanian Psychoanalysis.
Do you take inspiration from this school of thought? (Asking because I studied Psychoanalysis in College). But also, where else do you draw your inspiration from?
Hey, it’s good to study psychoanalysis if you want to be a writer! But sure, I’ve read all that stuff and I read a lot of tough philosophy too. When I’m at home I go to Starbucks every morning to meet my friends and I always bring a book of poems and a book of philosophy; and I read and talk, read and talk. And while all of that informs the poems my main inspiration is just my gazing at real things that happen. And that end up looking like an allegory!
How do you deal with imposter syndrome, self-doubt or feeling like you’re not a good enough writer?
I think, for me, all that’s in the past. I’ve just done the best I could– and I continue the effort– and I don’t worry so much anymore.
What’s the number one lesson you would share with other poets and song writers who want to get their work published?
Just that silly advice: find your own voice, listen to your thoughts, listen to the way you and your friends speak. And then if anyone wants your writing they’re going to have to come to you to get it!
What’s your favorite line that you have ever written and why?
There are a couple that return to me. “I’m half a man without my Ativan” is one I like a lot. There’s the internal rhyme, the iambic pentameter, and then the truth of medicine.
Who is your biggest inspiration (for writing or in general) and why?
I think the people in my life, my family and friends, have given me strength and happiness. I read a lot of poetry, of course, and have tried to learn from all of it.
Where can people find you online?
On Twitter: @FreemanPoet
On Facebook: Matthew Scott Freeman