Interview with Ralph Angel-Mitchell-Foust's Introduction to Literature Class at Chapman University

Sarabande in Education Chat:

Ralph Angel and Michelle Mitchel-Foust’s Intro to Literature Class

Chapman Univeristy

April 19, 2006



Jen W.: Welcome to the Sarabande in Education's Author Interview Chatroom. Today, Michelle Mitchell-Foust's class will be interviewing poet Ralph Angel.



Michelle: Hi, Ralph... Hi, Jen. We're ready!



Jen W.: Great! Just remember, only one question at a time!



Ralph Angel: Ralph here. Good morning.



Michelle: Good morning, Ralph! We are here with Chapman University's English 104 class...Introduction to Literature. I'll begin with Sean's question: What is the difference between lyrics in music and poetry, in your opinion?



Ralph Angel: The musical accompaniment. It affects the music of the language of the poem or lyric.



Michelle: Yuri asks: Where do you usually get ideas for your poems and is there a specific place where you write?



Ralph Angel: I'm a creature of habit. My study is my sanctuary. I come in here everyday I'm in town, whether I "write" or not. My ideas come from the only two tools I have: language and life.



Michelle: Rebekah is currently writing an essay on a group of your poems. She asks, "How would you describe your poetry?"



Ralph Angel: Exactly the way you would describe them, Rebekah. Trust your hunches. (How would you describe them?)



Michelle: Rebekah says, in the group of poems she is writing on...you take an urban scene,and you slow down the moment of that urban scene.



Michelle: New question by Kristen: When did you start writing?



Ralph Angel: Thank you, Rebekah. See, now you are free to trust your hunches. (Thanks for your essay. Send it to me if you want to.)



Ralph Angel: I began writing in my middle twenties.



Michelle: Alex David would one day love to write poetry. What advice do you have for him?



Ralph Angel: Start this afternoon.



Michelle: Good answer. Alex and Luke want to know...What inspired you to start writing poetry?



Ralph Angel: I really don't know. Perhaps, like everything else I've done or attempted, it came from need--I needed to do it.



Michelle: Heba asks...In the poem "And More," the structure is very different and unique. Were you trying to add more meaning to the poem in some way by doing so?



Ralph Angel: Is it different? I never try to add more or less meaning to a poem.



Michelle: Kristen asks: Is there a type of music that influences you or a type of music you feel your poetry flows with?



Ralph Angel: Music is always playing. I've ecclectic range. Jazz, popular, classical, world, etc. My work has been likened to jazz, but that's not quite it, is it?



Michelle: hmmmm. Beth wants to know.... What poem of yours do you like the most?



Ralph Angel: I don't have a favorite. I like to think that everything I've done is the best I could do at the time. Do you have a favorite, Beth?



Michelle: Beth really likes "Decalogue"!!! That goes into my next question... Your writing has been described as "panning," as in a motion picture camera. Can you explain the connection between your writing style and film styles?



Ralph Angel: Thanks, Beth. The question is too complex to answer fully. But, as a starting point, perhaps, think about how cinema must tell a story visually (without exposition). Therein is the connection.



Michelle: THANKS. Jessica asks: Is the poem "Months Later" about death, or finding someone that you can't find?



Ralph Angel: Oh, I don't know. What do you think it's about, Jessica?
Michelle: Both, she thinks... Another question...from Arlene, who's writing and thinking about poets and their place in the world... Did you strive to become part of the "accepted" literary circle? Or did it just happen?



Ralph Angel: No, I never have and never do think about it. I'm fortunate to be able to put my work into the world and to be part of an ongoing many thousands of years human tradition. All else is gravy.



Michelle: Zach asks, What is your favorite film? Why?



Ralph Angel: There must be nearly a hundred. I love each one because it somehow created absolute presence for me.



Michelle: Jeremy insists I ask... "What's your favorite color?"



Ralph Angel: I'm laughing really hard.



Michelle: So are we. And another they insist I ask (I'm tied to the chair)... Our class is wondering, would you support Michelle's decision to extend our deadline for our essay?



Michelle: By the way... it was not my decision.



Ralph Angel: Absolutely. You have my enthusiastic support.



Michelle: You dog you. One more question...mine. What is it like to live with birds?



Ralph Angel: They keep me connected. I love them, and can't imagine life without them.



Michelle: THANKS SO MUCH, Ralph, Jen. As always, it was a blast. xo, Michelle



Jen W.: Thank you all for your interest. Ralph, thank you and take care. KEEP READING!!



Ralph Angel: My pleasure. Thanks for inviting me, and for many tough, wonderful questions. All best wishes.