Lana Crossman grew up in rural New Brunswick but moved to Ottawa over 20 years ago. Her poems have been published in local publications, such as Bywords, flo., G U E S T, and Apt613, and in US-based journals FEED, FERAL, and The Light Ekphrastic. My debut chapbook, Buoyant, at last, will be available in November 2022 from Rose Garden Press.
You can read her poem Rusty’s got the blues in the January 2023 issue of Pinhole Poetry.
Would you like to tell us a little bit more about your poem? For instance, how or why you wrote it, or perhaps provide some extra context?
This poem came out of a fun writing prompt provided by George Murray through his Front of the Line poetry community. The prompt was to write a poem in the voice of a favourite childhood character.
If you didn’t write poetry, how do you think you might access the same fulfillments that poetry offers in your life?
Poetry offers me a way to observe life. It gives me the satisfaction of continually improving a craft. It has also offered a community apart from work or family. I’m not sure what else could offer the same.
What are you working on now?
I just published a chapbook in November, so now I feel like I have a blank slate before me. It’s a good, but scary feeling. My main goal is to maintain the momentum and continue to evolve my work.
Are there other art forms that inspire or inform your poetry?
I’m often inspired by visual art and film. I love writing ekphrastic poetry and the conversation between words and artwork.
How do you make space for poetry in your daily routine?
I try to connect with poetry daily. I may go for periods where I’m not writing regularly, but I try to at least read poetry every day. I also try to do 2-3 writing workshops per year – the interaction with other writers, the assignments and accountability keep me on track.
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