In part of our "getting to know you" series, I'm delighted to highlight ISFPC's Premiere Poet, Mary Couch! I am particularly partial to Mary since she hails from my home club. Both she and her mother, Alice, are a beloved pair around the state. Mary's poetry draws its strength from nature, humor, and strong images distilled into limited amount of space.
What is your home club?
Noble Poets – meets on third Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM at Noble Tea & Coffee 933 Logan Street Noblesville, IN 460602.
Hometown?
Born in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois lived near Lincoln Park and North Shore moved to Noblesville when I was 7yrs old – graduate of Noblesville High School
Previous positions in ISFPC?
2nd Vice President / Manningham Chair, helped with the 1994 National and 2012 National Conventions
How long have you been writing poetry?
I wrote little stories when I was 9 or 10 started doing poetry in High School when I was 16 (wrote a parody on the Owl and the Pussy Cat in Space, also wrote a satire on the Beatles which was posted in the High School Magazine)
Noble Poets – meets on third Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM at Noble Tea & Coffee 933 Logan Street Noblesville, IN 460602.
Hometown?
Born in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois lived near Lincoln Park and North Shore moved to Noblesville when I was 7yrs old – graduate of Noblesville High School
Previous positions in ISFPC?
2nd Vice President / Manningham Chair, helped with the 1994 National and 2012 National Conventions
How long have you been writing poetry?
I wrote little stories when I was 9 or 10 started doing poetry in High School when I was 16 (wrote a parody on the Owl and the Pussy Cat in Space, also wrote a satire on the Beatles which was posted in the High School Magazine)
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Do you remember what first turned you on to poetry?
I used to take my grandmother Helen Couch and Mom to Broadripple for a poetry club and I would write these little poems about Fuzzy Bear. Then I went with my Mom to Glenna Glees Anderson Corner Club and started to take a more serious interest in writing and learning the different forms (my grandmother Nadine Bryan was an artist and I would look at her paintings and write little poems about them
Favorite form of poetry to write?
Any short form (prefer syllabic forms) Haiku, Senyru, or 5-7-5 form because they take more effort as you use such a small amount of words
To rhyme or not to rhyme?
Both – l like to rhyme but enjoy the freedom of free verse.
Favorite poets?
Robert Frost, T.S. Elliot, Emily Dickinson, JL Kato, Joyce Brinkman, Michael Strosahl, Alexandria Zannis Moss(love her wit and unique display of words) Michael Erdelen, Sarah E. Morin (love the sense of humor)
What line or phrase from a poem gets stuck in your head?
Miles to go before I sleep (always loved Frost’s Poem)
I used to take my grandmother Helen Couch and Mom to Broadripple for a poetry club and I would write these little poems about Fuzzy Bear. Then I went with my Mom to Glenna Glees Anderson Corner Club and started to take a more serious interest in writing and learning the different forms (my grandmother Nadine Bryan was an artist and I would look at her paintings and write little poems about them
Favorite form of poetry to write?
Any short form (prefer syllabic forms) Haiku, Senyru, or 5-7-5 form because they take more effort as you use such a small amount of words
To rhyme or not to rhyme?
Both – l like to rhyme but enjoy the freedom of free verse.
Favorite poets?
Robert Frost, T.S. Elliot, Emily Dickinson, JL Kato, Joyce Brinkman, Michael Strosahl, Alexandria Zannis Moss(love her wit and unique display of words) Michael Erdelen, Sarah E. Morin (love the sense of humor)
What line or phrase from a poem gets stuck in your head?
Miles to go before I sleep (always loved Frost’s Poem)
What are your favorite subjects to write about?
Autumn, Winter (seasonal themes) moods or feelings, children, humor (I enjoy writing humorous poems or ones with twist endings)
Describe your writing environment
I write on a computer and longhand – sometimes I scribble things at work , or on a napkin while mom and I are eating –I write just about anywhere whenever the muse strikes – I also have two notes pads on my phone with poems or parts of poems – majority of the time I write while working between chores, proposals, etc.
Autumn, Winter (seasonal themes) moods or feelings, children, humor (I enjoy writing humorous poems or ones with twist endings)
Describe your writing environment
I write on a computer and longhand – sometimes I scribble things at work , or on a napkin while mom and I are eating –I write just about anywhere whenever the muse strikes – I also have two notes pads on my phone with poems or parts of poems – majority of the time I write while working between chores, proposals, etc.
What do you find most challenging about writing poetry? What are your particular writing skills?
Finding the correct word, or phrase to say exactly what I want to say – I have a unique view of phrasing things and enjoy writing rhyme especially humorous rhyme.
Your day job?
Admin Assistant at Taylored Systems Inc. a telecommunication company in Noblesville we sell, service, and maintain telephone systems, carrier services, door access control, video surveillance, low voltage cabling, and IT work.
Other hobbies?
Reading – avid about most books (Grandmother Helen was a librarian and storyteller) I prefer Science Fiction. I also like to bake. My Grandmothers Helen and Nadine both taught me. My grandma Nadine was German so learned to make a number of great dishes – she taught me to make things from scratch without measuring
Any family members/pets you want to mention?
My mother Alice Couch who is also a great poet and story writer. Mom and I have two dogs - Squeakie, a Daschund/Yorkie and Nibby, a Maltze/Yorkie.
One unusual talent?
Sometimes I am attuned to the universe and can give a gift that fits someone perfectly even if I have never known them for very long
Future goals for ISFPC?
Would like to see more clubs formed again – especially in the southern half of the state.
Do you have any chapbooks or websites you would like to plug?
Poetic Nature in the Hoosierland, Twin Muses: Art & Poetry, An Evening with the Writing Muse, Polk Street Review, Two Views, WhispersintheWind333.blogspot.com.
Finding the correct word, or phrase to say exactly what I want to say – I have a unique view of phrasing things and enjoy writing rhyme especially humorous rhyme.
Your day job?
Admin Assistant at Taylored Systems Inc. a telecommunication company in Noblesville we sell, service, and maintain telephone systems, carrier services, door access control, video surveillance, low voltage cabling, and IT work.
Other hobbies?
Reading – avid about most books (Grandmother Helen was a librarian and storyteller) I prefer Science Fiction. I also like to bake. My Grandmothers Helen and Nadine both taught me. My grandma Nadine was German so learned to make a number of great dishes – she taught me to make things from scratch without measuring
Any family members/pets you want to mention?
My mother Alice Couch who is also a great poet and story writer. Mom and I have two dogs - Squeakie, a Daschund/Yorkie and Nibby, a Maltze/Yorkie.
One unusual talent?
Sometimes I am attuned to the universe and can give a gift that fits someone perfectly even if I have never known them for very long
Future goals for ISFPC?
Would like to see more clubs formed again – especially in the southern half of the state.
Do you have any chapbooks or websites you would like to plug?
Poetic Nature in the Hoosierland, Twin Muses: Art & Poetry, An Evening with the Writing Muse, Polk Street Review, Two Views, WhispersintheWind333.blogspot.com.
Thanks, Mary, for taking the time to answer my questions!
Images courtesy of Mary Couch, and Dan, panuruangjan, phasinphoto at freedigitalphotos.net.
Images courtesy of Mary Couch, and Dan, panuruangjan, phasinphoto at freedigitalphotos.net.
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