Q & A Bennie Herron
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Bennie Herron writes and paints poetry. His creative output in poetry, painting, and social advocacy reflects on the often paradoxical conditions of being. His poetry presents a prismatic lens on his upbringing as a Black man, including close observations of the familial, interpersonal, and cultural forces that have shaped him. In these poems, the anecdotal may expand into ruminations on Biblical passages, or tales of the trials and joys of his adolescence may give way to fiery indictments of systemic problems such as racism, colonialism, and the perceptions of Black men in society. Herron’s verse style is informed in part by the socially conscious Hip Hop artists of the 1990s and poets of the Black Arts Movement of the late 1960s, among a myriad of other sources.
Bennie Herron has performed in venues across the United States and Mexico. From the year 2000 through 2006, he was a member of the nationally recognized poetry collective, The Taco Shop Poets. His writing has appeared in numerous journals and periodicals such as Kuumba Journal of Poetry and Prose (San Diego State University), Taco Shop Poets Anthology (Calaca Press San Diego), New Writers and Poets (National Journal of Literary Arts), “No More Silent Cries” Dealing With Domestic Violence (Spoken Visions), Vulcan: A Literary Disillusion (Journal), and the African Voices Literary Journal (African Voices Communication New York, NY). His latest work Music Made Me (us) Do This was published in 2019 with West Vine Press.
Wesley Blackwell speaks with Bennie about his poem, “Us As We Are,” below.
Even though “Us As We Are” is a poem strictly about your own perceptions of the world, the rapid flow of adolescent thoughts is something anybody can relate to since we were all young and naive at one point. Who was your imagined audience when you wrote this poem (if you had one)?
This poem was truly a personal reflection for me. I wanted to archive my experience as a young Black male growing up in the 80s. My audience and goal with this poem is to express that we all have a story and never have an opportunity to share it.
The lack of capitalization and punctuation in both poems struck me as unique. Why did you choose to make every word lowercase and not include any punctuation to allow the reader to pause?
I am very influenced by bell hooks and her usage of lower-case punctuation really stood out to me. In particular the use of lower-case in her name. Also, for me as an MFA, I try not to over structure my poems. Often as writers, we write to those that know poetry by form and structure. I try to write to those people that don’t read or even like poetry for that matter. I challenge the institution a bit by trying to take my poems and motive out of the classroom.
Is there any particular reason for the way you formatted and structured your poems?
Similar to the previous question, my approach is to have form but be formless at the same time. When I write, I rarely think about…writing a poem. Don’t get me wrong, I respect and understand the importance of form and structure, but again my aim is to speak to those that don’t necessary dwell in a literary space.
I notice that the poems jump from one image or memory straight to the next. Why don’t you focus on one or a few images and memories as opposed to many images and memories without any transitional flow?
I am heavily influenced by music, in particular jazz improvisation. When I write, I think in music, if that makes sense. It’s quick, rhythmic and short.
What advice would you offer young writers who have an interest in getting their work published?
Be you in your work. I see myself as a student for life when it comes to my writing and painting. Understand that your experiences can be colored and crafted just as beautifully as those we look up to. Be you in your work and the authenticity will manifest into people wanting to read and hear your work because they will likely see themselves your truth.
I understand that you are a painter in addition to being a poet. How do your illustrations influence your poetry and vice versa?
Again, music and imagery fuel me. With my poems I am trying to say something, but with my paintings I want you to see something—and this goes either way or both.
Is there anything you are currently working on that you would like to tell us about?
I have been painting like crazy and will hopefully have an art showing soon. I also have a full-length manuscript of poems titled, River Math, that I am trying to find a home for.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for the opportunity. I admire the work you all do and I hope I can come read some poetry with you all someday.
Read “Us As We Are” here.
