Poet Voice: M.E Carr
Nighttime
The ghostly ivory moon
hovers over painted skies;
she mourns for sunrise.
Dancing on pavement
despite wintry night air,
love blooms for a romantic pair.
My eyelids feel heavy,
though animals awake,
while waves ripple steadily
beneath that frozen lake.
When daylight scatters,
evolution abounds,
thriving Earth’s circadian sounds.
-M.E Carr
In this interview, we had an insightful conversation with the talented M.E Carr, the creative mind behind the poem, “Nighttime.
Gabrielle: What inspired this ghostly personification of the moon, and what emotions were you aiming to evoke with this opening?
M.E Carr: As a nature lover myself, I enjoy spending time watching the moon and stars. While looking at pictures of the moon, you can notice its ghostly colors, dark spots, and imperfections. This raw, unfiltered beauty is the inspiration behind this poem. What can’t be captured in a photo is how powerful and important the moon is to Earth and the interconnectedness of both the sun and moon. The moon needs the sun to thrive. In the beginning, I aim to show the reader a colorful sunrise while the moon sets above and the day begins. It is the end of the night at the beginning of the poem. The emotions I aim to convey are tranquility, awe, and a dash of edginess.
Gabrielle: How did you choose the specific colors and textures in the poem, such as “painted skies” and “ghostly ivory,” to contribute to the overall atmosphere?
M.E Carr: By adding this descriptive imagery, I felt I could convey a picture of beautiful horizons, how the moon truly glows above us, and portray a short story. My idea was to create an atmosphere of sadness, beauty, personification, and life continuing in the middle of darkness.
Gabrielle: Speaking of atmosphere the line “evolution abounds” seems to suggest a broader theme beyond just the natural world. What does “evolution” represent in the context of your poem?
M.E Carr: In this poem, evolution represents the universe’s complexities. It is something we can’t physically see happening; this plays into a magical environment. While researching for this poem, I learned that all living organisms have circadian rhythms. The people and animals mentioned go through evolution that keeps the circle of life spinning. When we sleep at night, it helps keep us healthy and optimized. By keeping our rhythms healthy, we continue to evolve positively.
Gabrielle: What role does sound play in your poem, considering the mention of “circadian sounds”?
M.E Carr: Sound adds to the descriptive nature of the poem. “Circadian sound” highlights how light and dark directly affect circadian rhythms. I mention “waves rippling under a lake,” another sound that adds movement and imagery. An additional sound is “animals awakening,” I can almost hear them stepping on crunchy ground as they proceed to hunt and survive.
Gabrielle: Lastly where do you draw your inspiration from?
M.E Carr: In writing poetry, I draw inspiration from classic poetry and literature (their structures), nature, different art forms and poetry genres, science, music, imagination, and places l’ve visited. When inspiration strikes, I can put together a poem in my mind slowly or quickly. Other times, it’s pushing through writer’s block to acquire results I’m satisfied with. Occasionally, I will practice new genres of writing for a challenge.
