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| Danielle Thorne |
STEPH: How long have you been writing poetry?
DANI: I've
been writing poetry since I was about twelve years old. I always had a flair
for writing, but when poems were introduced in school they were a natural
outlet for me to express myself. This continued throughout life into my
twenties with some being published, until I committed to writing fiction. Today
I write poetry to relieve stress and journal my life.
STEPH: What style do you like to write?
DANI: My
poetry is free form and very independent. I enjoy studying and reading
different styles, but I don't like to be hindered by rules.
STEPH: What are some themes of your poetry?
DANI: Most
often, nature plays the biggest role in my poetry. Whether it's reflective,
angry or romantic, I turn to what inspires me the most to express what I'm
feeling or seeing.
STEPH: Who is your favorite poet?
DANI: Shel
Silverstein always made me laugh, and I love him, but I treasure Robert Frost
above all. I'm also a fan of Maya Angelou. Such wisdom.
STEPH: What is your favorite poem?
DANI: "Stopping
By Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. I memorized this poem years
ago during a difficult time of my life after I suddenly realized the message of
endurance and peace I could learn from it.
STEPH: Dani, can you share some of your poetry with us?
DANI: I would
love to. This poem is a snapshot of my curious childhood, which began when my
mother moved us from Chicago into the Appalachian Mountains. It was published
in my poetry chapbook, Southern Girl,
Yankee Roots, available at Amazon.com.
Southern Woman
They called momma a Damn Yankee
because she didn't know
what to do with bacon fat.
She pulled up half the garden
before she learned the
difference between
snapdragons and plain old
weeds.
My step-grandmama showed her
how to use an iron skillet,
and Momma gave up show tunes
for
John Denver records.
On Saturdays, she’d cut hair
free
for everyone in town,
While they taught us kids to
drink ice tea
and eat trout.
I forgot about Chicago
when they sent me down the
road
to that old mountain school.
From Southern
Girl, Yankee Roots
Find Me!
Website: www.daniellethorne.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/DanielleThorne/e/B004E5V0LA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1365800155&sr=8-1
Bio:
Danielle Thorne writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She
is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and
contemporary. Danielle has published poetry and short fiction as well as
novels.
Other work has appeared with Espresso Fiction, Every Day
Fiction, Arts and Prose Magazine, Mississippi Crow, The Nantahala Review,
StorySouth, Bookideas, The Mid-West Review and more. She was the 2009-2010
Co-Chair for the New Voices Competition for young writers, is active with
online author groups and moderates for The Sweetest Romance Authors at the
Coffee Time Romance boards. Her popular blog, The Balanced Writer, focuses on life and the pursuit of peace and
happiness.
Ms. Thorne has four sons with her husband, Rob. Together
they enjoy travel and the outdoors.
Nice! I love the poem!!
ReplyDeleteDani, thanks so much for visiting today! I enjoyed your poem very much. I like how it tells a story. It brought a smile to my face.
ReplyDeletesmiles
Steph
Wonderful poem and post!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Petie
Thanks all. Poetry is a great way to work through things. I'm enjoying poetry week here at Steph's blog and hope you are, too.
ReplyDeleteI love poetry because of the word choice and precise nature of it. What a big move! :)
ReplyDeleteOn the surface this poem tells me of a woman's transformation from Damnyankee (I was a teenger before I learned that wasn't one word-smile) to Southern Gal. The roots run so much deeper than that. In the process of her changing, she changed the world around her, and for the better. I think this is a beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI loved your poem, Dani! Thanks for sharing. I wrote poetry while I was in college and now you have inspired me to write poems again. Congrats on your many wonderful skills as a poet and a fiction writer.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I use Frost's poem, "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening", in my Christmas book. The character was illiterate and when he learns to read, he reads this poem to his family.
Very nice, especially the soft and easy ending that packs a big punch. :)
ReplyDelete