Flapper Press Welcomes Poet Joan McNerney
- Elizabeth Gracen
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Elizabeth Gracen:
The Flapper Press Poetry Café features the work of poets from around the globe. It is an honor to share their work and learn more about their lives, influences, and love of poetry.
This week, we are honored to feature the work of poet Joan McNerney.
Joan McNerney is originally from Brooklyn but now lives in a small town in upstate New York. She has recited her poetry at the National Arts Club in New York City, State University of New York in Oneonta, the McNay Art Institute in San Antonio, TX, and the University of Houston in Texas. Published worldwide in over thirty five countries, her work has appeared in numerous literary publications. Four Best of the Net nominations have been awarded to her. Her published works The Muse in Miniature, Love Poems for Michael I & II and At Work are available on Amazon.com. A new release entitled Light & Shadow explores the recent historic COVID pandemic.
Please meet Joan McNerney!
Elizabeth Gracen: Joan, thank you so much for submitting your lovely poetry to Flapper Press. Would you please tell our readers a little bit about you and how/when you started writing poetry?
Joan McNerney: I was born in Brooklyn, New York. My family moved to California when I was six years old. My father died when I was nine, so we moved back East. It was lonely shifting from school to school, so reading became a constant companion. Poetry in particular was very evocative for me. My high school poetry was published in Young America Sings, and this gave me an incentive to continue writing.
EG: You state in your bio that you like to write poetry in various styles—“fanciful, lyrical and experimental.” Is poetry part of your daily practice? If you aren’t opposed to sharing your process, tell us about your typical approach to writing a poem.
JM: I start with a concept of what I’d like to write and then sketch it out on the computer. I will experiment and sometimes think of additions and changes during the day. This will continue until there is something good written. Then it is left alone for a while. Finally, I return to the worked draft, and the poem is ready. Those periods when not writing, I do send my work out. The guidelines are frequently difficult, but I give my best effort. Various publications often send me their poetry to read. So you could say I am always in the poetry loop.
EG: It was difficult to choose just three of your submitted poems for this article. What I found most interesting was the big pendulum swing from weightier subjects about aging and loneliness to subjects like flowers and lovers and kisses. You are sensitive and full of honest emotion when you write. Can you share your thoughts about what poetry means to you and why you’ve chosen it as one of your forms of creative expression?
JM: Poetry has been very important for me. I find it to be a form which expresses emotion in both a subtle and forceful manner. You can describe a scene, build a character, evoke a mood, and celebrate a moment in a short poem. Most readers return again and again to their treasured pieces. There seems always more to be discovered as we again dip into a finely crafted poem.
EG: Who are your biggest creative influences—poets, writers, artists, musicians—and how have they impacted your creative life and the way that you create poetry?
JM: I always love visual art, fine music, theater, and ballet. There is so much great poetry to turn to. Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson, and William Butler Yeats are my all-time favorites. I attended and have been featured at many fine poetry readings. These have been inspirational for me. Many print and digital publications have outstanding visuals to complement the poems. It is wonderful to be part of such beautiful compositions.
EG: Why should people care about poetry? Is it relevant to our lives? What do you think people who don’t “get” poetry are missing?
JM: Children actually love poems. Somehow later in school, poetry becomes very difficult because we overanalyze it. Enjoying poetry is very simple: just read it and be transported to where the poet takes you.
Your Present
I wanted to bring back the
best gift from the country
for you, just for you. I wanted to.
Some sky would be nice
lots of lovely sky with
light fleecy clouds.
So I rushed through
stores and bought the
biggest shiny box and
looked for a perfect bow.
All shades of blue, violet
with red and yellow.
An entire rainbow of
colored ribbons for the
box to put this sky into.
Then on the bus my bow
fell apart. Somebody
stepped on the box. It's
all crushed and dirty.
By the time we got to
the city it was late. Did
my sky fly away?
The box is empty now.
I wanted to bring back the
best gift from the country
for you, just for you.
I wanted to.
From the poet:
Wanting to bring back a present for a friend who yearns for the countryside and big blue skies.
Wish List
I wish life could be
like those movies with
happy endings when
everyone kisses.
I wish that movie
with many twists, spins
turns out some sharp guy
finds that pretty gal.
I wish I could be
that pretty gal with
gleaming teeth &
long eye lashes.
I wish there could be
exquisite dresses
muffs & puffs
all pink iridescent.
I wish there were
this big fancy house
full of wardrobes
puppies, canaries.
I wish yellow canaries
would sing and dance
whirling my name in script
across an endless blue sky.
From the poet:
After watching an old-fashioned romantic movie, I long for love and companionship.
Bright Pink Begonias
While bees glide and lovers
stroll through the park gardens
this long afternoon.
Clouds stretching the horizon
as a young man skates by.
Bright pink begonias
begonias everywhere.
The air fills with oranges
guitars strum soft songs and
children skip in perfect rhythm.
You kiss kiss my lips again again
always begonias begonias
growing bigger every minute.
From the poet:
Walking with my sweetheart while sneaking a few kisses through the town park. Entranced by others sharing a world of happiness!
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