What is the best thing that I love about my work? I don’t really see what I do as work because I write to fill a need – an emotional and mental need – and as a form of therapy.

I was diagnosed with several health issues, including mental illness, several years ago and have been trying to come to terms with this ever since. Poetry is the only form of true communication for me regarding the darkness in my mind, as in it, I can say what I know or can’t say otherwise. It encapsulates not only the pain inside, but the beauty in that pain and allows me, for just a moment, to not be ill or sick or compromised in some way … but to be a poet.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? There is no such thing as perfect happiness – as there is no such thing as perfect on this earth – and that’s what makes living truly

exciting. Why? People have the ability to find what they deem as perfect or what fulfills their wishes or needs in anything – whether that be painting, or driving, music, writing, socializing etc etc – anything and everything could be defined as “perfect” happiness simply because it is all subjective. There are no limits, thus – no “perfect” happiness – and I like it that way. Perhaps, in this, I find my “perfect” happiness … that there are no limits to finding what truly means something to you or inspires you or changes you.

What is my greatest fear? Failure, rejection, and losing my mind to my illness – for I believe that my mind is all that I have. To be unable to express what I feel in a way that others can understand, or to be unable to find the beauty in what pains me, what breaks me, would be unbearable for me. I fear the loss of self.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My inability to deal with direct confrontation with another human being and my fear of socialization (social anxiety). I hate that there are times when I don’t say what I think, or what I feel needs be said, when confronted verbally with someone I disagree with. And I hate that I ensure the comfort and acceptability of another at times over what I need or feel, simply because I do not want them to reject me or cast me out, per say. In essence – I hate that I am a coward.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? I came across this gentleman’s writings on Facebook quite awhile ago – however it was his video on youtube that almost brought me to tears which solidified him as someone I admire as a poet. Jeff ‘Broms’ Bromley, or better known as ‘Broms the Poet’, is a wonderful writer, artist and live performer – and this video of his piece, called “CAGE”, has never left my mind since first watching it:

What is my greatest extravagance? This has to be one of the most difficult questions here I think – but I would have to say that it would be my very large (and continually growing) vintage art glass collection. I have pieces from various artists, including Murano and Alta Glass, mostly consisting of animal figures and primarily birds. Glass to me is like captured liquid, forever frozen in some of the most elegant and lovely sculptures and colors.

On what occasion would I lie? To save another from pain. The discomfort of another person and their potential reaction (whether it be tears or anger or frustration) carries a rather heavy toll for me. Perhaps it is because of a large capacity for empathy in my case, which is not always a good thing, or perhaps simply for my own selfish inability to deal with the idea that they may reject me.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Being vulnerable, or coming across as weak. My poetry takes some very personal and dark turns, sometimes revealing parts of myself that I would rather not have others see, or even see myself. I take what I think as “weakness” very strongly and find the idea of appearing so very disconcerting and very disappointing (in myself). It’s a strange contrast though, as poetry is the only way that I can truly express what I feel – and yet I fight to hide what I feel so tirelessly because of stigma and because of shame.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I find that I can most focus and feel a sense of happiness, as you put it, when I am listening to music while typing on my computer. I find music a key aspect to what and when I write – a necessity in fact. I also find, at times, that art (photography or otherwise) can inspire prose or poetry in me, and will always use an image to try and multiply the affect and meaning of what I write.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I think about this, in my own way, everyday – and honestly, if I could change one thing about myself it would be my cowardice. I want to be able to say what I feel out loud, without fear of rejection or objection or denial. I want to voice who and what I am and not be worried that someone, somewhere, will hate me for it.

What is my greatest achievement in work? I recently received the opportunity to write for a very amazing project called ‘Dirty Cult’ which was created by Ulf Ragnar Berlin and fellow artist Daniel Bechthold. ‘Dirty Cult’ was created to showcase specific artworks by Daniel Bechthold and to pair them with prose, poetry, and even stories written by various writers from all over the world, all into one book. I was fortunate enough to be included as one of the writers and had two of my poems published in this fantastic book.

‘Dirty Cult’ was a not for profit experiment in creativity, and I am very grateful to have been able to participate! You can buy the book now on Amazon, shipping from Germany:

Where would I most like to live? Anywhere near moving water – a lake, an ocean, a sea, a river or stream. Water holds a very deep meaning for me because, while it can move and flow as gentle as the calmest wind, it also holds so much power it can’t be truly tamed. It is essential to life, can be used to heal, to wound, to heat, to cool. It proves, to me, that while one can appear weak or gentle – there is a strength underneath that no one can deny.

What is my most treasured possession? My family of animals. When I was a little girl, I didn’t have very many friends – I was dealing with as yet to be diagnosed mental illness, social anxiety and other things – so I was often left out of social circles and (as all too often happens) bullied. The greatest comfort I found during those times was to come home and be greeted by my very loving pet cat, Rollie. He would greet me at the door, follow me around the house, and wherever I went, he would settle down beside me and just “be” with me. He has since passed on, but I am still surrounded by animals now because I relate so much easier to them than I do humans.

What is my most marked characteristic? My hair, I think. I have hair that is nearly 4ft long. I always wanted long hair – like Rapunzel – and have endeavored to grow mine as long as I possibly can for many years now.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? I don’t have an inspirational location in my city. I find inspiration in what I see and what I hear (art/music/my mind), so I don’t usually need a location to be inspired. I think, however, if I did have the chance to live by an ocean or sea or running water of some kind in nature – I would often be found as close to possible to it, if not in it, and derive much inspiration from that experience.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? Due to my social anxiety issues, I don’t usually eat out in public honestly. I actually enjoy eating in – or ordering delivery! I really like to take advantage of the latest in delivery services, like Uber, to experience the restaurants in my city. Of late, the only I most like to order from has been a place called ‘State and Main’, they have an excellent salmon burger with avocado and balsamic glaze!

What books influenced my life and how? Where to start … I would say the first would be the Bible, as I believe in one true God, and this belief and subsequent relationship with it has influenced, strengthened, and molded me in many ways. The second would be various books such as ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee, ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell, ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, ‘Watership Down’ by Richard Adams and poems such as “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight’ by Dylan Thomas. I find that I tend to be very drawn to either political satire, psychologically minded books or great and dramatic romance. I think each holds their own meaning to me – but to sum them up I think would be to say that I find the beliefs we hold as a society can be so easily manipulated and influenced without our knowledge unless we hold true and strong to what we feel and think and how we want to be seen as a person/people. Some of the greatest tools in this fight can be our ability to recognize great love, great betrayal, and great loss because, with each of these comes a price that our soul pays – thus leaving either a scar or a hope – both of which binds us all the more to what we think and feel in those moments.

Who are my favorite writers? Charlotte Bronte and Dylan Thomas (poet) – but I don’t there will ever be a true limit on who are my favorites. There is too much left to be said, too much left to be read, and too much left to be heard.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I think this question would greatly depend on how I was dying. If I was at peace, I think the only ‘sound’ I would truly want would be the ocean. If I was in pain, then I would want to be able to hear something that would help me let out that pain. The very emotional and epic composition by Arvo Part, ‘Speigal im Spiegal’, comes to mind, or ‘Adagio for Strings’ by Samuel Barber.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Those who find and hold onto true love. Who care so much for someone else they would give up their lives. Those who are not fearful of the passion they have for someone else, but rather thrive on it. Any character that can fulfill this would be a hero in my mind, both in fiction, and in life.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My mother Wendy Le Blanc, my husband James Benjamin, my brother Christian Le Blanc, as well as Rosa Maria (wonderful artist and dear friend), Daniel Bechthold, Ulf Ragnar Berlin, Joe Prosperi (all amazing artists and friends) and others too many to name but just as important.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? The movie musical ‘Moulin Rouge’ from 2001 with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor – a tale of seduction, lust, love, humor, betrayal, and loss.

What role plays art in my life and work? Art is a necessity in my life and work as it holds inspiration, visual stimulation to what I am feeling, and an image encapsulating what I express with language. I greatly admire the abilities of painters and artist alike – who, often without holding back – will put to canvas what they feel in the very deepest and darkest parts of their hearts, and then display it for all to see, empathize, criticizes, and define.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My husband James Benjamin – love of my life. I honestly couldn’t say where or what I would be in this life without him. We have gone through so much, and are going through so much – and after 12 years this December (2018), we are still here, together, side by side. For me, there is no greater fan or support or partner than someone who can love me as I am, completely – without fear for tomorrow.

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? Wow – how long can I take on this one? Honestly, I would love to continue collaborations with artists Rosa Maria and Joe Prosperi, Daniel Bechthold, Misia Slemp, Trip Morris, just to name a few. I would also love to work directly with conceptual photographer Stefan Gesell and Brooke Shaden, along with nature photographers like Yap Kh and many many more!

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2018? I don’t have any particular poets that I would like to meet that are living among us today – but artists? See the list above, mainly Rosa Maria, Joe Prosperi, Trip Morris, among others!

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to work on? My ongoing project, mainly to continue to post to my dark poetry page – Quotes from the Dark at www.facebook.com/quotesfromthedark and to share my never ending war with myself in the hopes that others, who may face the same or the demons, will find a voice of their own in what I write. Eventually I do want to publish a book completely dedicated to my words, but I think that is still a little ways down the road for me.

Where can you see me or my work in 2018? Please view my poetry at the following:

My facebook dark poetry page, Quotes from the Dark https://www.facebook.com/quotesfromthedark/

My facebook profile page, Yvonne White (my ‘also known as’ name) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015453258054

Some of my collaboration works on the facebook page Dark Arts Compendium https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkartscompendium/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Passion never retires means, to me, that passion never dies, never ends, never stops. If you are truly passionate about something – even if, for a moment, that passion subsides to any degree – it never leaves you. And it doesn’t matter if that passion leads you to financial gain, mental break down, emotional goals or losses, social standing and nonliterary or fame – the passion remains ever steady and ever ready to take you where you need or want or dream to go.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? I would like to invite Misia Slemp, Marilyn Garrett, Marion Stern, Kat Johnston, Apryl Dickerson, Betty Hex, and Alice Lin

How can you contact me? All inquires potential collaborations, or for further information on me or my writing, please contact me via any of the following: