A Cup of Coffee with Andrej Peterka
Andrej Peterka is a poet, acupuncturist and natural health practitioner based in Minnesota, USA (St Paul and Whalan). His work can be found in our Spring 2021 Edition. We had a little chat with Andrej about his work.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
Poetry is a new medium for me! I started this past Fall (2020) – posting daily on Instagram as a creative exercise for myself. I felt like it was the right medium because it enabled me to include visual components to some of my work, like photographs or natural objects. When I launched my work, I wanted to keep it purposefully low-tech, taking a picture of my poetry rather than creating it directly into Instagram, so the reader is looking at a poem, but also artefacts, old photos and other things that add visual interest and dimension to the piece. Some poems are simply what is written on the page. It all depends.
What or where inspires you to write?
At the risk of sounding trite, life is what inspires me. Having worked with people and their bodies for over 30 years, I am a witness to their stories. I have lived vicariously through them in some ways, and the way people approach and live life has always fascinated me. This often comes into my poems. Nature is another huge influence. I think that by getting ourselves quiet in nature, we can potentially discover the truths of life that dwell under our thoughts, beliefs and cultural ideas.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
@nature_gypsy11
@amylouiseliddy
@ellieinwords
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
Nature, human nature and my parents.
How do you beat writer's block?
I do this by physical movement: a walk, exercise, leaving the piece and coming back to it and letting my immediate impressions fire my creative process. If nothing wants to come, I don’t push it or put pressure on myself. I want this to be a joyful process of creating, not an obligation. That said, I do try to write a little something every day.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
I do, to a degree. When I started posting my poetry, I purposely didn’t tell people I know about it. I wanted to simply post the pieces and see who in the world (literally) would respond. I’ve made some lovely connections with people all over the world, and it’s inspiring. I’m not looking to rack up followers, but rather to make connections with others who find my work inspiring. Fellow poets often respond, and it gives me a chance to see their work too. That’s quite fun. I’ve even had a collaboration with a photographer, which was quite an enjoyable project.
What or who influenced you to become a poet?
Poets and writers of the natural world: Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
Some do, but I wait for them to ask to see my work – I don’t throw it in their laps.
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
For me, poetry has an impact on a number of levels. The use of words, metaphors to express a non-verbal concept. How the work paints a vignette, a moment in time that I am invited to be a part of. Maybe it evokes a feeling about a situation I can relate to or one that has never happened to me before, but I feel like I’ve experienced it through the author’s work.
What is your revision process like?
I usually put the piece down for an hour, part of a day or more, then go back and read it aloud. That’s when I see what the piece feels like – does it flow, where is there an awkward catch? I tweak it from there, if needed, and do that process again until it feels right. I avoid thinking a piece to death, though and making it too wordy.
What is your writing process like?
I usually have a fairly complete piece in my head. It feels like it downloads. I will write it out longhand, then write it into Word, look at it on the page. I read the poem aloud and look at it on the page to feel its rhythm and see how it appears visually. Revisions happen from there.
I try not to over-think a piece. I want it to come from my heart and not my head. If I can say something with 30 words, I don’t say it with 130. I like to leave enough room for the reader to bring themselves and their experience into it.
How do you research for your poems?
I draw from experiences with people, reflect on situations I’ve been in and by spending time in nature.