A Conversation With a Poet: Jo Dammacco

Welcome to “A Conversation With a Poet,” an exclusive series where we delve into the minds and musings of contemporary poets. Each session is a journey into the personal and creative realms of a poet, exploring their inspirations, processes, and the profound impact poetry has on their lives. Through these interviews, I aim to uncover the unique voices that share across stanzas and stir the soul, offering my readers a glimpse into the artistry and emotional depth that poetry embodies. Join us as we celebrate the power of words and the poets who craft them.

Jo Dammacco, a 66-year-old poet from Massapequa, NY, discovered her love for poetry in her teenage years and has been writing ever since.

Poetry Background

What inspired you to begin writing poetry?

The emotional intensity of my teenage years became a powerful catalyst for my poetry.

Who are your favorite poets, and how have they influenced your work?

Edgar Allan Poe, Maya Angelou, and Langston Hughes have all deeply influenced my voice. I’ve always seen them as storytellers first; writers who used poetry as a vessel for powerful narratives. That’s the approach I naturally gravitate toward in my own work as well.

Creative Process

Can you describe your writing process? How do you typically start a poem?

I feel I am more of a soul / free flow writer. I find my writing comes to me in three different ways…

1. I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, or voice to record) and just begin

2. I am absolutely “pulled” to write… not about a subject, per se, but that I am being told to write.

3. I am pulled by an “organic” prompt. I see something and it inspires me.

Do you have any rituals or environments that enhance your creativity?

It’s not necessarily about rituals or environments, for me it’s more about focus and desire that enhances my creativity.

How often do you write, and do you have specific times of day that you find more productive?

I am definitely more productive in the evening. The quiet of the end of the day is like honey in my tea.

Themes and Motivation

What themes or subjects do you find yourself returning to in your poetry? Why?

I like repetition. It seems to run through much of my writing. I lost my daughter 6 years ago. She was 25… she is easily one of my subjects… but I tend to write time, purpose, light, nature. I try not to write with a “theme” but when I read what I’ve read I definitely find common threads many times.

What is the most challenging aspect of writing poetry for you?

Actually writing “proper” poetry is the most challening aspect. I rather call myself a storyteller or free flow writer than a poet because it is a broader term that allows me the freedom to write what I want without feeling constricted.

What do you hope to communicate or evoke in your readers?

Thought – I love when people need to read my writing a few times. I want my writing to be like a painting where every time you look at it you find something new.

Publication and Sharing

Have you published your poetry? If so, in what formats (books, online, magazines, etc.)?

I’ve been published in a small poetry magazine twice. I am working on my book of poetry and I do hope to self-publish in the next six months.

How do you feel about sharing your poetry with the public?

I am a Leo! 😊 I LOVE sharing my poetry with the public, where in person or online.

What has been the most rewarding or memorable response to your work?

I currently facilitate soul writing workshops. The most rewarding response(s) is when people are there but don’t really understand what we are doing and then at the end they share that it was life changing. As an example, I facilitated a workshop of parents who lost children to drug overdose. It was part of a monthly meeting for this organization called Beading Hearts… one person looked absolutely miserable to the point of annoyed, but when she was done, she said it helped her so much. She felt that she had connected with her child while she was writing – which is what I hope to help people do, to connect with their loved ones and to inspire them to share their feelings.

Creative Challenges and Overcoming Them

Describe a time when you experienced writer’s block and how you overcame it.

Writer’s block comes when I try too hard. I think that’s why soul writing and free flow writing have been so helpful to me. I have no expectation going in… when I start my workshops, which many times includes people who are not writers, I say writing is like “lasagna.” You add all the layers, the pasta, the sauce, the cheese, meat (or veggies) and you put it in the oven and walk away. Then, you pull it out of the oven and it looks like a bubbling mess and you don’t know how you will be able to serve it – so you walk away again and let it settle… when you come back, it looks “good enough to eat!” Sometimes there are burnt edges, or it’s boiled over and so you serve only the best parts (you “edit” it) and sometimes, it’s just really, really good – and your guests love it!

Have you ever been dissatisfied with a poem you wrote? How did you revise it or deal with the dissatisfaction?

Soul writing is funny… it took me a long time to understand that it’s not sacrilegious to edit a poem you feel was written “through” you… where perhaps your loved ones helped you to be inspired… but then I realized, that no matter where you are in the universe, no one is perfect.

Community and Collaboration

Are you part of any poetry communities or groups? How do these communities influence your work?

I am part of several online and in person communities. The support, love and creativity is nothing short of a magnificent way to grow.

Have you ever collaborated with other poets or artists? What was that experience like?

I have not officially collaborated with other poets in the sense of writing one collective poem, but some poetry and writing groups I am in sometimes shares a “prompt” to write about and then we share our thoughts, poetry, etc. Both of my daughters are artists and I have also written poetry with their art as my inspiration.

Influence and Inspiration

Besides poets, what other sources of inspiration do you draw from? (e.g., music, art, nature)

Nature is a huge source of my inspiration!

Will you share a poem you’ve written?

This falls under the heading of “organic” prompt. My office is the room opposite where my daughter (who passed) grew up. I was working on my computer and I looked up and thought about her room on the other side of the wall and this is what came:

There is a room
It is imprinted with her soul
I walk in and I breathe in the essence of she who has lingered here
I look at the imperfections in the walls and know that her eyes have made notice
I look out the window and know that she has felt the same breeze and rain and has seen the same trees at every season
I lay in her bed and look up
The ceiling is imprinted with her fears and hopes and dreams
The closet is where her secrets remain
I walk out, but know forevermore, there is a room

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Future Aspirations

What are your goals as a poet for the next few years?

I definitely want to publish. I want to continue to inspire others to write and share their feelings on the page, through more than just journaling.I want to grow my workshops and I absolutely love reading and sharing my poetry. I’ve been invited to be the featured poet at a few events and I look forward to doing that more.

Are there new themes or styles you are interested in exploring?

I have two books in the works at the moment. One is a children’s picture book, which is based on a story I told my youngest daughter (now 22) when she was about 4 years old. And the second book, I’ve been writig for over 20 years. It’s a “fantasy meets reality” story (and hopefully a trilogy) for young adults.

Advice and Reflections

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in poetry?

Just write… also, join writing groups, whether online or live. the support you get from others is invaluable.

How has writing poetry impacted your life personally and professionally?

As I mentioned, I’ve been writing for over 50 years, but after my daughter passed away in 2019, my writing became more of a lifeline. It has freed my true creativity. I began my adult life as a professional singer and I love singing, but there’s a big difference between loving to do something and feeling that deep inspiration to share yourself with others in a moving and powerful way.

Memorable Quote

Writer’s block comes when I try too hard. I think that’s why soul writing and free flow writing have been so helpful to me. I have no expectation going in.

Connect with Jo!

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In wrapping up another enlightening conversation, we thank our featured poet for sharing their truths and creative spirit. Each dialogue in “A Conversation With a Poet” enriches our understanding of the intricate tapestry that is poetry. We invite you to reflect on the insights shared today and to join us as we continue exploring the profound connections between words and worlds. Stay tuned for more inspiring encounters in this series.

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