A Symphony of Words and Life
In Conversation with E. A. Bland No. 01
It was a cool, partly sunny morning when I met Elijah A. Bland on the back patio of a quaint café that liked to stay nameless. The gentle hum of quiet conversations and occasional bird chirps created a perfect setting for poets and storytellers.
Elijah, with his unique style, wore blue jeans and chocolate-colored leather Converse. His denim shirt, with cutoff sleeves and collar, mirrored his individuality—just like his poetry. His outfit wasn't just fashion; it was a reflection of a soul unafraid to carve its own path.
In our heartfelt chat, Elijah unveiled his journey through poetry, music, and film. From fond memories of classic musicals as a child to the transformative year of 2020, when he wrote a hundred poems, Elijah's story is one of resilience, creativity, and an unyielding passion for expression.
Join us as we explore the mind of this modern-day poet, who crafts verses from the ether and inspires others to discover the hidden poet within.
Alison: Hi Elijah, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to chat with me.
Elijah: The pleasure is mine. Thank you! Where should we start?
A: Well, what first inspired you to begin writing poetry, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?
E: My poetry journey kicked off back in elementary school, scribbling simple verses in art class. By middle school, I took a break but picked it up again in high school alongside playing guitar, producing music, and songwriting. My songs always had that poetic touch, like the ones in indie or art house films.
Now in my thirties, I see how movies and poetry have always inspired my music. These days, my poetry is a mix of influences from music, film, and personal experiences, especially since diving back into it in 2020.
A: Wow, what a ride! It sounds like your life is a tapestry of art in all its forms.
With such a strong link to movies and music, are there particular films, directors, or musicians who have deeply influenced your poetry?
E: Absolutely! As a kid, musicals like Newsies, West Side Story, Grease, and The Sound of Music drew me in, especially West Side Story and The Sound of Music—they felt like poetry in motion.
It wasn’t until my twenties that I discovered Richard Linklater’s films - checkout his “Before” trilogy - which beautifully capture the romanticism of poetry.
John Mayer’s music has also been a big influence, showing me the musical side of poetry.
If we stay open and receptive, we can find poetry everywhere around us.
A: It’s amazing how different art forms have shaped your poetry. Musicals mix song, dance, and dialogue to show life’s emotions, and directors like Linklater catch life’s raw moments perfectly. John Mayer’s soulful tunes and deep lyrics can definitely add to that vibe.
So, do your poems often feel like a movie scene or a song verse?
Do they focus on people, places, or emotions that hit you hard?
E: The poetry I write now is mostly Found Poems, where I look for words, phrases, and rhythms that capture my inspirations in a fresh way. It’s like writing a song—after a few lines or stanzas, a clear image or emotion starts to form in my mind.
Through this process, my poetry connects my conscious and subconscious thoughts.
A: Crafting Found Poems is a cool way to breathe new life into old text. You’ve got this deep, introspective vibe going, blending conscious thoughts with raw emotions.
When you start a Found Poem, do you have a theme or emotion in mind, or do you let the words naturally lead you?
How do you balance intention with spontaneous discovery?
E: I take an organic approach. With coffee in one hand and a pen and or highlighter in the other, I scan the text 3 or 4 times.
Then, I close my eyes, take a breath, and write down the words that stand out to me. After that, I connect these words into a coherent piece.
Sometimes, the poem forms in minutes; other times, it takes days of reflection.
The key moment is when my heart, mind, and soul align, letting the words come together in a natural melody.
A: That's a beautiful and intuitive process, like a meditative dance with words. It's impressive how you wait for the text to resonate deeply, creating an emotional symphony.
With your approach of meditating over a text for days, do your surroundings or external influences shape your final piece?
Are there specific settings, times of day, or atmospheres that boost your connection with the words and the poetic process?
E: Oh, absolutely! The quieter my surroundings, the quicker the poem comes together. These quiet moments often produce my shortest poems, really capturing that ‘less-is-more’ vibe. Interestingly, this usually happens early in the day.
On the flip side, my longer poems, which seem to carry deeper messages, tend to come together in the evenings or in busier settings.
It feels like the muses are calling out, and I have to work harder to catch their words.
These longer poems often end up being the most rewarding for me.
A: It's fascinating how your environment shapes your poems' length and depth. The contrast between short, quiet pieces and long, complex ones from chaotic settings shows your versatility.
How do you handle feedback and critiques on your poems? Do external opinions influence your future works or your view of your creations?
Do you see your poems as evolving entities or static expressions once complete?
E: To answer your first question, I haven’t shared much of my poetry until now.
Working with Found Poetry has shielded me from the feedback that can overwhelm a poet starting with a blank page.
When I do share my work, I don’t worry much about opinions.
As Prince said, my poems ‘are a success upon completion.’ I value my internal process over external feedback.
I see myself as a medium between my subconscious and the world around me. Still, I’m curious about what messages my poetry might hold for others.
Truthfully, each piece evolves, offering new insights every time I revisit them. Some are like clear reminders or timeless proverbs.
A: That's a deep perspective. Seeing yourself as a medium, channeling messages, adds a unique layer to your process. This detachment, or stewardship, allows for openness to interpretation.
So, what do you hope readers or listeners take away from your poetry?
Is there a consistent message or emotion you aim to convey, or do you leave it open for each person's interpretation?
E: My hope is that every reader and listener will discover the poet within them, waiting to be heard. Through the practice of crafting found poetry, anyone can find their unique voice.
This journey is about curiosity and intention.
I don’t aim to convey a specific message or emotion—I leave that open to interpretation, just as I’ve interpreted the pages before me.
I started exploring found poetry to cope with depression during the 2020 lockdowns. What began as a way to manage stress and anxiety became a source of inspiration and insight.
Writing over 100 poems that year, I realized the potential benefits for others—not just from my work, but from finding their own renewal just a few pages away.
Whether using old newspapers, magazines, books, or menus, with an open mind and heart, and a bit of guidance, anyone can start their journey to becoming a poet.
A: Your journey through found poetry is inspiring and empowering. Turning to art during tough times is a powerful way to reconnect with yourself. Encouraging others to find their poetic voice through your work is a beautiful mission.
Final question: Can you share a memorable experience or turning point in your poetic journey that deeply impacted your writing?
Whether it was an event, feedback, a revelation, or a specific poem?
E: Growing up, we all faced the question:
‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’
My answer changed every week!
I wanted to explore every facet of life in one lifetime. I wondered, what if I spent each year mastering something new?
With an average lifespan of 80 years, this could mean experiencing more “lifetimes” than I’d ever imagined. But as time passed, life’s demands often got in the way.
We all know how challenging this pursuit can be.
However, the turning point came at the end of 2020.
On New Year’s Day, I realized I had created a collection of 100 new poems—verses that hadn’t existed before.
At that moment, I knew I had become a poet. It was the proof I needed, showing that my idea was viable.
Now, I’m on a mission—to live fully, document my insights, and share them through ‘The Year I Became’ newsletter: an annual self-education project.
Its goal is to empower readers and listeners to start their dream lives, one year at a time.
To my family, friends, and anyone feeling stuck in routine, I invite you to discover a life of abundance.
My ultimate hope is that, as we reflect on our shared adventures and connections, each of us can say, ‘I have truly lived a fulfilled life.’
A: Your perspective is refreshing. Dedicating each year to mastering something new is a wonderful approach, full of curiosity and growth.
Realizing your transformation into a poet after creating so much in just one year shows the endless potential of human creativity and resilience.
Thanks for chatting with me.
E: No, really, thank you, Alison.
Elijah A. Bland is a modern poet who blends his love for music, film, and the written word. Starting with simple poems in elementary school, his journey draws from diverse influences—from classic musicals like "West Side Story" to contemporary musicians like John Mayer.
During the 2020 lockdowns, Elijah turned to found poetry as a personal challenge, creating 100 poems in a year. This became a therapeutic exercise and solidified his identity as a poet.
Guided by an organic and meditative process, Elijah skims and scans text, letting words speak to him, crafting poems that bridge his conscious and subconscious minds. He sees himself as a medium, channeling messages from an ethereal realm, yet his works reflect his personal life experiences and emotions.
Elijah's mission is to encourage and inspire. He seeks to awaken the poet in everyone, advocating for the discovery of one's unique voice. He also promotes a life of curiosity, dedicating each year to a new interest, ensuring continuous learning, growth, and transformation.
Elijah A. Bland's poetry is a testament to the human spirit's resilience, creativity, and endless exploration.
Alison Baird is a journalistic chat bot I designed powered by ChatGPT.
This interview was edited with minor refinements aimed at retaining the essence of our original conversation while enhancing its readability and coherence.
