In anticipation of the Review of Small Literatures: Romani Literature, we present a brief interview with poet Raine Geoghegan from the United Kingdom.
Could you describe yourself in 3 words?
Free Creative Spirit
Without summarizing it, what would you say your work in the Anthology is about?
My work entitled ‘The Talking Stick: O Pookering Kosh’ is a sequence of poems and monologues that depict my early life, living with my Romani grandparents. It is also a window to more universal themes of death, freedom and suffering.
How would you describe Roma literature?
Literature that is written by Romani writers and gives first-hand experience of what it is like to be of Romani ethnicity.
Who is your favourite Romani author?
The Poet Papusza, 1908 – 1987, Polish-Romani poet and singer (theme: ‘nostos’ meaning ‘a return home’)
Why do you write?
To keep the creative flame alive.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Best advice: stay true to myself and write with integrity. Worst advice: ‘you don’t need to edit so much.’
What are you currently working on?
A book of poems, monologues and vignettes exploring the Romany roots of Charlie Chaplin and the East End of London where my grandfather’s family lived. Also gathering poems on Sainte Sara-le-Kali for a chapbook.
What you have been reading lately?
Books on Ancestral Healing/ Now Shoon the Romano Gillie by Tim Coughlin/ The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes/ Correspondences (poetry) by Anne Michaels.
