LatinosUSA

Juan Re Crivello: Do you think poetry is back in fashion?

Anthony Watkins: Poetry never was/is/will be about fashion. There are at least a billion people writing poetry these days, and maybe that many reading it. Poetry is a 1000 different things to millions of different readers. Yes, it is still «in fashion» but no, it’s never been about being in fashion.

J. R. C.: Is your poetry created daily, or do you wait to be inspired to write it?

Anthony Watkins: Both. I write about 20 poems per month, so nearly one per day. I do find if I am doing something else  creative, I am less likely to write a poem. I don’t go looking for a poem; they can find me easily enough.

J. R. C.: What is your next publishing project? 

Anthony Watkins: My next novel, and of course I have two more chapbooks ready to go, and am beginning to fill up another. I am shopping for an agent for my first novel: The Minister, and I’ve started my second novel, The Holy Fire of the Hard Gospel. They arent related, though the second is somewhat inspired by the first one.

J. R. C.: Could you tell us how it came about?

Anthony Watkins: We have a little open air carport, where I was doing some painting, but in January I decided to open a business around my hand-painted greeting cards. I bought a bunch of cafeteria style folding tables, set them up on the carport, and laid out about 60 pieces of card stock I was going to paint. I took a roller and rolled one side, thinking I would come out the next day and paint the «finished» sides. But I awoke on January 13 with an overwhelming need to start writing a story. For the next 65 days, I wrote until I had over 60,000 words and a complete story. I meant to get back the painting, but the second story is now holding me hostage. I write poetry like breathing, so I don’t really think about what collection I am working on. This last chapbook is different, as it was suggested to me by a cousin that so much of my poetry is food related that I should collect a book of food poems, so I did, thus the name.

J. R. C.: What city do you live in, and can you describe your favorite bar or café?

Anthony Watkins: I live in Tallahassee, Florida, I suppose my favorite place, besides my front porch which has a standing open invitation for anyone who wants to come sit and visit with me. All are welcome. Contact me in advance: anthonyleewatkins@gmail.com.

J. R. C.: What is your upcoming performance schedule?

Anthony Watkins: Due to my health (I am dying of cancer), I am no longer traveling, I did just go on a small trip to Tuskegee University and the Montgomery Public Library

J. R. C.: Tell us about your most recent interview.

Anthony Watkins: I haven’t done an interview in several years, but I have been recording videos recently.

https://www.youtube.com/@anthonyuplandpoetwatkins5283

Rag Baloney by Anthony Watkins
 
Today, I made a bologna sandwich
and it was delicious.
It sent me on a journey
to rural Alabama,
where I grew up,
a poorly lit
country store with its
“Colonial is Good Bread” sign.
 
We ordered thick pieces of rag boloney,
they had a loaf of Colonial bread
on the counter and two jars,
mayo and mustard,
one knife between them.
 
Both jars mixed to look a lot the same,
the health department
nor mama would approve,
but for eating, hard to beat,
pealing the waxed bit of linen cloth case
off putting the meat on dressed white bread.
 
If I could go back to nineteen sixty nine,
I would eat there again.

Author Biography

Anthony Watkins lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, college student daughter, and dog. He has been a publisher of literary journals since 1995, including Better Than The Times (betterthanthetimes.com). He is a Community Teaching Assistant of  Modern and Contemporary American Poetry at the University of Pennsylvania. He gives readings and leads poetry/small press publishing discussions at libraries, high schools, and universities.

Rag Baloney is a chapbook and only available directly from the author for $12 USD, which includes shipping to the lower 48 states. You may contact Anthony for copies: anthonyleewatkins@gmail.com