In The Lime Light – Paul F. Lenzi / Poesy plus Polemics

32
Written by Morgan

Caption1

Yes, it’s the weekend at last and time, once again, for an In The Lime Light spotlight…(YAY!! the crowd goes wild!!) Please allow me to Introduce (If you don’t already know him from his amazing poetry) Paul F. Lenzi of Poesy plus Polemics blog: http://poesypluspolemics.com (stop right here and go visit…we’ll wait. No really, you won’t be disappointed, I swear!)

Welcome Back 😉 And getting back to Paul, via his own words: “I am the father of three adult children, each of whom holds my undying love and irrepressible pride. Grandfather of eleven heartwarming youngsters, whom I can never see often enough. One of the early baby boomer generation. Retired Manhattan insurance company executive. Lifelong resident of New Jersey until retiring to rural New Hampshire in 2005. A first generation American born to Italian immigrant parents. Rutgers University alumnus: philosophy, ethics and political science. A proud member of the Academy of American Poets, the Poetry Society of America, the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, Mensa International, and the NRA. Numerous professional affiliations abrogated by retirement.”

But what does Paul love to write about? What sparks his imagination? How does he go about creating such amazing poetry? Well, sit back, relax and read on, because Paul shared more with me in a recent interview (Just for In the Lime Light!)

Hi Paul! Thanks for taking a moment (or twelve) to share some insights about your writing. Ready? Ok .. Let’s go!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about?
Writing daily since my retirement, I created this blog in order to share my work with other poets and authors, in hopes of receiving their feedback, and establishing with them some personal connections to a creative community that I always admired but about which I knew very little.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
My mind runs to many interests, and inspiration comes from every corner of life as I’ve experienced it. Philosophy was my field of study, and the subjects of ethics and morality feature prominently in my work. So do physics and mathematics. A lifelong urban dweller, I relocated to rural New Hampshire when I retired, and I’m especially fascinated by nature as I’ve come to discover it. Being physically disabled, I also often draw from my difficult circumstances, knowing they are shared by so many others.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
No message. At least not consciously. I love language and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to play with, experiment with it, it as I attempt to express my imagination or convey my perceptions of the world and the people in it.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
At my age, I don’t think so much about the future, except for my worries about what it may hold for my eleven grandchildren. Having said that, it occurs to me that the driving motivation for my blog, and the books that have grown from it, is probably my desire to leave a tangible, intellectually insightful, and highly personal legacy for them.

Book1Book 2
Book3Book4
Book5

Tell us about your book(s):
I’m now in the proofing phase of my twelfth volume of poetry, to be titled “Squaring the Circle”. All of my books are full length collections. I never quite grasped the concept of a chapbook. Only a few of my books were created around dominant themes: “Pentimento” is about family, “Music of Scars” about pain, and “Bullets From Bones” about conflict. All the others are highly eclectic collections that cover a broad range of subjects. As a voracious reader, I believe (or at least hope) that approach keeps the reader from becoming bored, never knowing what the next page holds in store.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
In a word, honesty – of belief, of emotion, of experience, of observation. It’s the only way I know how to express myself.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
I write in different voices, as the mood strikes me and the words find themselves to the page. As to style, I write primarily in free verse, with a liberal smattering of haiku and related short forms. Alliteration is also a guilty pleasure.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
As I explained above, my poetry is wildly varied. Each new page should reward with a surprise
of subject, setting or sentiment.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
All my books are self-published. I realized early on that I’m too old and impatient to engage the trials and tribulations encountered in chasing the affections of conventional publishers.

Who is your favorite/least favorite / subject to write about? Why?
Philosophy is easily my favorite. Even though I’ve been writing for only ten years, I’ve been thinking all my life. Least favorite? Probably the horror genre. I’ve just never been a fan.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
Understand that not everyone will enjoy or even understand your work. But that’s quite okay. Get used to it. To write for anyone other than yourself is a mistake. Unless you write as a commercial enterprise, your art must both arise from and appeal to your soul. Art without personal integrity is mere wallpaper.

Paul I just LOVE your answer! You are so WRITE 🙂

Paul F. Lenzi
Describe yourself in Five Words.
Boy, how I hate these questions. But, in for a penny, in for a pound, as they say. So: sincere, thoughtful, faithful, loving, and opinionated.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Ben Franklin. Plumbing his polymath mind would be endlessly fascinating.

When you are NOT writing/taking pictures, what is your favorite pastime?
Given that age and infirmity have severely curtailed my activities, first and foremost is reading. Lots of time watching movies. I also build model sailing ships, collect stamps, play chess, and pursue genealogy. In younger and healthier days, I was an avid gardener, stroked a mean game of pool, was a pretty fair musician, swam like a fish, was a certified sharpshooter at the firearms range, and coached youth sports.

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
I’ve been fortunate, having traveled the world on multiple occasions. Tuscany would be my ideal, Florence in particular. Steeped in the history of the Renaissance, it is beyond beautiful, beyond inspirational. It is also the site of my beloved ancestral roots. The Palazzo Lenzi has stood on the Piazza d’Ognissanti since the 1400s. WOW! I’ve never been to Italy, but would have to agree anyway with your description. Very Impressive Family Heritage!

What makes Life Worth Living?
The love and affection of my dear bride of nearly fifty years.

For myself, I am just delighted that Paul stopped by to share a little about himself and his writing. I’ve admired Paul’s poetry since I began blogging and being able to Spotlight him means a great deal. Be sure to visit his blog before you leave today and, certainly, give his poetry books a peruse and Ponder….the holidays are coming after all http://poesypluspolemics.com/books

~Morgan~

32 Comments

  11. Thus far I am the proud possessor of three of Paul’s books and follow his blog avidly. His poetry, in my considered view outshines most – if not all – of the ‘greats’ whether they be living or long since deceased. He is the benchmark I likely will never reach with my own poetical dabblings…and this coming from me, an old leftie. Good fortune be upon you Paul

    Like

    Reply
  12. Pingback: In The Lime Light – Paul F. Lenzi / Poesy plus Polemics | Baldypoems

Having Perused, Let Your Thoughts Show; and in Receiving them, Thank You Ever So!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.