In this episode, Claire chats to poet, author, music maker, artist, educator, organizer, and dreamer of dreams Suzi Q. Smith. As the 50th episode of The Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast, this guest is golden!
The episode opens with Suzi reading four of her gorgeous poems from her beautiful collection Poems for the End of the World, published by Finishing Line Press.
A richly engaging collection, Poems for the End of the World explores climate change, heartbreak, a pandemic, grief, race, and growth all woven together. In these poems, Suzi Q. Smith meditates on trees, fires, her best friends, her grandmother, and the love of it all. Smith offers us humor and warmth in the midst of grief, courage in the face of fear, and celebrations of small beauties. Poems like "How to Make Love" remind us how to care for ourselves and our loved ones, while "Ocotillo" and "the found women" feel like an encouraging conversation with a best friend.
Suzi Q. Smith is an award-winning author, artist, educator, and organizer who lives in Denver, Colorado. While primarily known for her poetry, Suzi is also a singer-songwriter, playwright, and interdisciplinary creative. She has created, curated, coached, and taught for over 20 years, touring throughout the United States.
Well-known poets who inspire her are Wanda Coleman, Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Nikki Giovanni, and Audre Lorde.
You can watch the wonderful author talk between Suzi and Pádraig here.
Suzi´s website is www.suziqsmith.com and you can find her on Instagram @suziqsmith
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