DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY INTERVIEW

 

NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH

POET OF THE MONTH

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY

NILAVRONILL: Welcome to Our Poetry Archive. Why do literature and poetry in particular interest you so much? Please give us some idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in general.

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I believe in literature and poetry that relates to everyday people living everyday lives. Telling stories that others can put themselves in the place of the storyteller. Even using fantasy to give others an experience of using their own imagination.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think the primary obligation of a poet should be to communicate with the temporal as well as with the eternal essence of life and the universe? If so, how can one fulfill that particular obligation?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: The only obligations I have are to myself. The role of the poet is to not only reflect what’s going on in society but more importantly within your own heart and to be a voice for freedom and creativity.

 

NILAVRONILL: It is an established fact that every poet should create his or her own poetic language as a unique literary signature that would eventually keep him or her alive beyond his or her time. I would like to know your personal experience in this regard, and how can one achieve that unique literary language in his or her lifetime?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I believe the only way one can create their own unique style is to just be themselves and write about what they feel and know. If they write with honesty, their writing should endure.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think literary criticism has much to do with the development of a poet and the true understanding of his or her poetry?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I know others believe in literary criticism, but I do not. I believe that poetry is a very personal form of individual expression. I don’t believe poets can progress in their work as much with criticism. Instead, encouragement and gentle guidance and advice provide a more productive environment leading to a poet’s growth.

NILAVRONILL: American literature has its roots in English as well as in other European literary heritages. And there is also the indigenous American cultural heritage. How these two different streams have interacted and evolved into the present American literary tradition? I would like to know your viewpoints based on your personal experience as a writer.

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I do not involve myself with such matters. I did not gain my knowledge from going to a college or university. Instead, I learned by observation and learning by doing. My love of books was formed from an extensive library of books from my father’s collection. This paved the way of me loving and reading stories including beat culture, which to me are people living in a more natural way, involving themselves with the natural world, striving for self-sufficiency so as not to be as dependent on society. One more important thing in life is music because the whole world is composed of different vibrations and sounds. These things have formed my views on all things.

NILAVRONILL: Literature encompasses every aspect of life, it blends the various shades and textures of human aspirations as well as drawbacks. It also lights up the new horizons and new dimensions of human capabilities relentlessly. I would like to know your particular viewpoints; how do you relate all these in your own writings?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I write spontaneously. I do not plan out what I will write about at any given time. I rarely rewrite anything I write either. I must feel inspired in some way in order to write it down. During the Covid lockdown in 2020 I found myself hampered by not being able to go out, see people, visit places. I must feel that spark in order to write about anything. My subject matter varies greatly. It’s something I cannot explain fully except to say sometimes my imagination plays a role while at other times the human condition or what I wish existed in the world.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think society as a whole is the key factor in shaping you up as a poet, or your poetry altogether?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: No, I do not believe society has anything to do with my poetry because I am not the type to follow societal trends or influences. I write for myself and to share experiences I feel I can relate to with others.

NILAVRONILL: We cannot live immune to the sociopolitical disturbances of our surroundings. How much these disturbances make substantial impacts upon your literary self? Do you actually respond to all these factors through your words? I mean in your poetry, especially.

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: Normally, I am not the type to write about political events or unrest. Most of my writing speaks of subjects concerning nature, love and human emotions. There are instances where extreme injustices in the world prompt me to state my feelings about things. In those times the situation must be so extreme, that I feel I must write my feelings down and share them to others as a way to take a stand against injustice. The types of subjects that would prompt a reaction from me would be needless war, allowing hunger, greed, or the abuse of power. Although these things unfortunately exist in our everyday lives, I choose to write more about how I envision I want things to be. To me dwelling on the negativity surrounding us cannot bring about positive change.

NILAVRONILL: Is it possible to put into the words everything that as a poet you wish to express literarily? If not, why?

 

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: My wish as a poet is to make others aware that there is a great need in this world for more love, peace, compassion, understanding, acceptance of others, and a need to end hungry, war, poverty, and prejudice. Anything is possible if the desire is there, as long as you keep hope.

NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations for or expectation from the younger generation?

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: The artists I come in contact with are from different groups and cultures all striving for the same things I mentioned above. The beauty of it is that their message is brought in diverse and different ways. My hope is that more young people see the need to keep being creative by using their voices for the good of all, either written or vocally. They must realize they have the power to create better futures for themselves.

NILAVRONILL: We are almost at the end of the interview. I remain obliged to you for your participation. Now, personally I would like to know your honest opinion about Our Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we are publishing and archiving contemporary world poetry each and every month. Thank you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY: I find the different and diverse voices expressed in Our Poetry Archive enlightening. I get to view different perspectives from people with different cultural upbringings and values. It’s refreshing to learn about different viewpoints from people from all walks of life. I try to understand their similarities as well as their differences.

DEBORAH TOSUN KILDAY is a new generation Beat Poet, award winning writer, author, nature photographer, artist, and recipient of two lifetime literary achievement awards, and named a Connecticut Arts Hero. Deborah is the founder/owner/CEO of the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., its Nat’l & Int’l festivals, New Generation Beat Publications, and BeatLife Magazine. Author of several books, her short stories and poetry are published in magazines and anthology books. She has appeared on tv and radio interviews. Deborah is a Connecticut native and resides in Wolcott, CT, USA.