The Walking Mall Poet
Kendrick Lamar’s Bars, How To Write Better, and Understanding People's Meaning Systems (Ep. 119)
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Intro
In this episode of Auxoro, Zach speaks with his friend, Joseph Jablonski, the “Walking Mall Poet.” Based in Winchester Virginia, Joe is a street poet who writes poetry on the spot on his typewriter. Zach and Joe discuss the nature of poetry, Kendrick Lamar, how to write better, and the roots of their Catholic faith.
Key Takeaways
Reflecting On Your Childhood is Difficult
We tend to parrot behaviors.
(6:20) “My behavior today is a reaction to how I was as a child.” - Zach.
(7:50) “Sometimes we unpack these things by accident.” - Joe.
Today’s Poetry is Hard to Decipher...and Often Self-Preserving
Most poetry journals are run by MFA programs today.
(12:00) “I read some of these MFA journals and even I don’t know what they’re talking about.” - Joe.
(13:50) “It wasn’t a bad poem — but its meaning was inaccessible.” - Joe.
(15:45) “I do this so people can experience the joy of verse.” - Joe.
How Do We Assign Value to Our Art?
It’s not true that anyone can do what you’re doing.
(21:00) “People will pay money to find and feel meaning.” - Joe.
You have to wake up and realize that what you’re creating does have value.
(22:00) “It was a transformation to go from I do poetry to I am a poet.” - Joe.
Artists can find use (and value) in anything.
Everyone is Deeply Emotional
People are moved by the power of story.
(27:30) “People want to relate in a creative way...they want to look at their lives through a poem.” - Joe.
(28:50) “There are more poets than you realize.” - Joe.
(29:45) “There is value in creating things that you won’t share.” - Zach.
Poetry Isn’t Mainstream — But Rap Is
Rap has actually fantastic wordplay.
Reading Billy Collins really opened up poetry for Joe.
People interested in poetry should listen to Kendrick Lamar.
(35:30) “Kendrick has such a deep understanding of the challenges African-Americans face in this country.” - Joe.
(37:30) “There’s been a de-evolution in the importance of lyrics.” - Zach.
(40:00) “I get such inspiration from spoken word.” - Joe.
Poetry Is Written to Be Read — and Heard
Some artists use speeches to elicit this same power.
There is a sense of devotion and discipline it requires of you.
Creativity is a Boon, However Elusive
Having trouble creating is a natural part of the process.
It’s more difficult than ever to stay creative.
(47:50) “There’s a depressive pall every time we leave the house.” - Joe.
(49:00) “You can look at a problem and say ‘good.’” - Joe.
(50:15) “You can either wait for inspiration to strike, or you can do something.” - Zach.
You need to figure out how to come up with something.
(53:00) “Bring another person in to add that layer of accountability to your creative process.”
Poetry Can Add to Your Empathy
Joe says he has to face the world “as it is.”
(56:50) “Poetry needs to take it a step further — you want it to be deeply personal.” - Joe.
What Should Writers Do to Get Better?
Consider using a typewriter!
(58:50) “There is a romanticism about typewriters. They are the symbol of the craft of writing. A typewriter isolates you from everything, and there is a sense of work: you can see your writing appearing on the page.” - Joe.
We Need to Understand People’s Meaning Systems
He’d be nothing without his faith (Catholicism).
(1:04:00) “When I get requests to write poems with Christian themes, I get excited.” - Joe.
People have various meaning systems, and we have a responsibility to understand who they’re thinking.
Many guys fail to develop meaningful relationships with other men.
Marriage Charts a Path Forward
It’s been so valuable to dive into just one person, in every sense.
(1:13:20) “My wife is an infinite story that I’ll always get to read.” - Joe.
(1:15:55) “It changes you...and that’s what I love so much about it.” - Joe.
Email Joe: yourfriend@walkingmallpoet.com
Joe’s website: https://www.walkingmallpoet.com
Support Joe on Patreon: https://linktr.ee/walkingmallpoet