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Interview with Phibby Venable
by Vivien Steels

VS:  Phibby, your latest book of poetry, 'Blue Water Poems: poetry of the tides Vol. 11', deals with the waters we wade through in life.  When did you become so drawn to the imagery of water?
 
PV: Our first view of the world, and our arrival into the world, is through water. It may be to prepare us for the tears ahead or for the baptism of beauty.  Both are encountered in our journey. In, "Blue Water Poems" I come face to face with the finality of my husband's death two years ago. He loved the ocean and his ashes are scattered in the sea. The cover of the book is the actual location where I released his ashes. I believe there are many blue waters- emotional, literal, and mental, to be endured in a lifetime. The contents of the book reflect the endless seas and horizons that we encounter.

 
VS: You have a degree in Social Work and enjoy community work and animal rescue.  Does this inspire your poetry?
 
PV: Oh yes, it is an acute advantage to see up close the truth of the words, Man's inhumanity to Man. And I must add, to animals also. I often write of situations I have encountered in community work. However, I have also encountered truly giving and generous spirits. Those that have nothing but are willing to give even that. The ones that forfeit their dreams to care for the young, the elderly, the disabled. Grandmothers barely getting by themselves that still have room in their hearts and home for abandoned grandchildren. In my poetry, I try to speak up for them whenever possible, and represent their views more fairly.
 
 
VS: Do you have rescue pets yourself and what do they mean to you?
 
PV: All of my pets at the moment are rescues. I have four dogs and two cats, and one rat left over from a psychological experiment at my daughter's college. My constant companion is Jessie, a dachshund, whose leg was crushed by a car. He is in a chair beside of me as I write, so I must say that he is the finest specimen of his breed. I have found abandoned animals to be extremely loyal to the ones that help them along. All of the rescues have a great deal of heart and easily find their way into mine.

VS:  Your poetry has vivid imagery and is very visual.  Do you think your love of photography inspires your written words?
 
PV: Yes, definitely! You will find a great deal of dawn and dusk imagery in my work. I love the colors and promises of early morning & the way evening ends in soft grays and deep blues. A few of my photos have been published. It is almost always the warm corals of sunrise & sunset, or the stark winter lights in lonely promises that are chosen. I believe it is because the light rises and falls so majestically in the heart during those special times of day.
 
 
VS: I loved your poem 'She Holds Small Violets'.  What is your favourite poem that you have written and why?
 
PV: Thank you for loving, 'She Holds Small Violets'. Each poem is a moment in my life. In that poem I try to convey the strength to deal with fragility. People handled tenderly are not so afraid to venture out.  My personal favorite is, 'I Will Sing In This Tree'. It was written during a time of great trial and despair. It is a refusal to stay down or to stay quiet. It is also a call to others to sing out because sometimes the simple act of pretending happiness can lure happiness into the arena. Once there, it may be captured more easily.
 
 
VS:  What are your spiritual beliefs?  How does this affect your writing?
 
PV:  My opinion is that all spiritual questions are heard. I feel that we should respect the rights of others to believe or disbelieve. I am not sure how to say this, but to say that you disbelieve in something is like saying that it exists, and that you have chosen not to believe in it.

Personally, I have a close relationship with God. I love and respect creation.  I do not think that anything is an accident. I have a friend that refers to God as the Great Spirit. I think that is a lovely thing to say. I am thankful for so many things. I will often stop during everyday life to express appreciation for a scene or a hope fulfilled. I give out a thank you for small things because many of them, though small, are still beyond what I am capable of accomplishing.
 
 
VS:  You have just written your first novel, Women of the Round Table, which is to be published.  What is the theme of this book?  Is poetry or prose your real love?
 
PV:  Women of the Round Table, is my first attempt at writing a novel.  It is short and the story revolves around a group of women and a family heirloom crystal. The lives of the women are depicted through Friday night gatherings at the kitchen table for coffee. Each woman is working through a different set of circumstances. The book runs an emotional gauntlet of both joy and sadness. It is about sisters and friendships, and helping each other through life. It is to be published by All Things That Matter Press.

It is difficult to decide between poetry and prose. Each holds a valuable space in my life. Many people have commented that my poetry appears as small stories. All of my work appears in my head first with its own beat. I try to let the syllables relax and appear in rhythm. I am presently working with Damian Gray at Key Publications on a book of poetry due out in September. It is entitled, The Wind Is My Wine.  

She Holds Small Violets
by Phibby Venable
She holds purple lightly
in the reverent touch of longing.
The wind around her is without motion
and sleeps in the heart storm of her desire.
The purity of the violets erase the bleakness
of waiting for discovery.
One day she will push the world
in a turn to her convenience,
but she will not diminish fragility.
In an opportunity of travel,
she will seek the small wild rose.
The rose is beautiful, but sharp with intruders;
too many have broken it in careless passing.
She is not afraid.
She has learned to be gentle.
She will lean into thorns and whisper,
I hold small violets softly in my lap.
 
 
 
Phibby Venable’s website is @ http://phibbyvenable.webs.com/

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