An interview with hiromi suzuki

hiromi suzuki is a poet, fiction writer and artist living in Tokyo, Japan. She is the author of Ms. cried - 77 poems by hiromi suzuki (Kisaragi Publishing, 2013), logbook (Hesterglock Press, 2018), INVISIBLE SCENERY (Low Frequency Press, 2018), Andante (AngelHousePress, 2019). Her works have been published internationally in poetry journals, literary journals and anthologies.
Web site: https://hiromisuzukimicrojournal.tumblr.com
Twitter :  @HRMsuzuki

How did you begin writing, and what keeps you going?

I liked reading books since I was a child. And I loved to draw and write something. Because I was shy and could express myself only by creation. Even now, I am not good at interacting with people, and I believe that creative communication continues.

You’ve published in a number of journals. How do you decide which journals to send to?

Of course, I've been sending poems and visual pieces to my favorite journals. The journals which are publishing poems written by the poets I respect. To tell the truth, I don't have opportunities to have poems in Japanese journals. For example, the Japanese literary world doesn't really recognize visual poetry as poetry.

Have you noticed any repeated themes or repeated subject matter in your work? What are you currently working towards?

Yes. I often mention rivers and groundwater in my works. “Water” will continue to be the themes of my poetry.

What poets have influenced the ways in which you write?

I like pop and rock music. When I was young, I was writing essays of new releases in a music magazine for a while. So my words may be inspired by the lyrics. Later, the way of writing poetry by the poets such as E. E. Cummings and Raymond Carver influenced my poems.

How important has mentorship been to your work? Is there anyone who specifically assisted your development as a writer?

I had been working as an illustrator for a long time. After reading the texts of writers, I worked on the design for book covers and illustrations. I think that my career as an illustrator assisted my development as a writer.

What are you currently working on?

Now I'm working on translation of my first poetry collection. Ms. cried - 77 poems by hiromi suzuki (Kisaragi Publishing, 2013). "The Channel Where The Water-Table Joins The Ocean" which was published at Train is one of them. I don't have a translater and I'm not a native English speaker, its work is very hard. However, very enjoyable. With translation from Japanese to English, I feel writing a brand new poem.

Can you name a poet you think should be receiving more attention?

I can't.... Because my career as a poet has just begun. I pay attention to all the poets I have encountered. Also I thank the poets, editors and publishers who are supporting my work.