Categories
Jean-Jacques Fournier Podcast TTT Poetry Poets Season 3

Season 3 Episode 46: Jean-Jacques Fournier on Poetic Interest, Inspiration and Evolution

Huntingdon (Photo Credit Marianne D.)

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia!

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. 

I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend and poet, Jean-Jacques Fournier, is with me today to share insights on the publication of his 17th book of poems, Poetry in Brief – a day in a life –.  This collection of short poems comes in a pocket-size-book edition and an e-book version.

In a recent e-mail discussion, Jean-Jacques wrote these words:

“You asking me about my poetic interest, inspiration and its evolution, etc., that instilled the need for me to write in this medium. These are things I haven’t profoundly thought about in years. Despite the adage of old memories being more readily available than newer ones, as we get older, regardless one must awaken the possessive demons that try to prevent memory’s disclosures.”

Jean-Jacques started writing in earnest while living in California in the early eighties. In France, he published his first three books.  But his journey started in Quebec, Canada.  Today, we will be exploring how personal history and experiences influence our creativity.

Huntingdon (Photo Credit Marianne D.)

This promises to be an exciting conversation so put the kettle on and stop by Tea Toast & Trivia to join the discussion.

Jean-Jacques’s poetry expresses the emotional depth and breadth of the human experience.  I am pleased to announce that his eighteenth book of poetry has just been published, entitled, Poetry in Brief – A Blissful Silence.   

Jean-Jacques graciously provided the first poem in this collection.

A Blissful Silence (Photo Credit Marianne D.)
A Blissful Silence

A scarcity you’ll say
May not be far wrong,
So best find a way
For this worthy song,
Tho as fool’s delay
Shan’t likely resound,
In poet’s verse grey
For be a taste of bliss,
That none can deny
Like the pleasure of a kiss,
Bears a blissful silence
Wants bid serenity persists!   


			 		  written in Sweetsburg
			                         © Jean-Jacques Fournier
                                                                            July 7, 2021
					edit September 21, 2021

Thank you for joining Jean-Jacques and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

And a special thank you, Jean-Jacques, for sharing your insights on poetry and how our personal journeys influence our creative spirit.

Dear friends, I invite you to meet up with Jean-Jacques on his blog Poetry on a Canapé, a place that celebrates words and encourages profound reflections.

Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

Jean-Jacques Fournier on Poetic Interest, Inspiration and Evolution – Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

35 replies on “Season 3 Episode 46: Jean-Jacques Fournier on Poetic Interest, Inspiration and Evolution”

Ah… Rebecca, I can never thank you enough, for your constant attention, encouragement and continuous support. As I’ve said before, yours is that kind of music to one’s ears that ultimately feeds the creative juices, that a scribbler as myself feeds on so as to keep writing, in the hope of getting a reader’s interest.Thank you again, dear friend!

Liked by 4 people

My dear friend, Jean-Jacques – many thanks for joining me on TTT to discuss poetry and the flow of creativity from early age, which allows us to explore new pathways. Do you remember sending me an article interviewing Jane Hirshfield about how to read poetry? She writes in her Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry: “One breath taken completely; one poem, fully written, fully read – in such a moment, anything can happen.” Poetry is a like a musical duet between the poet and the reader. I am looking forward to many duets and many conversations in 2022.

Liked by 1 person

By Post Author

Thank you, Rebecca for bringing Jean-Jacques to your show. I enjoyed reading “A Blissful Silence” but hearing it recited by the poet was a real treat. As readers, we can only guess where the emphasis should be. Hearing it was wonderful. I loved the discussion about how creativity is passed from generations to generation. I’m not sure it needs to be any particular skill but the creative spirit certainly is passed along from parents to children.

Liked by 2 people

I feel the same way, Dan! Hearing a poet recite his/her poetry is amazing. There are nuances that come through voice that allow listeners to connect on an intuitive level. Voices are like signatures. I have not explored the WordPress/Anchor connection yet, but I hope that more bloggers (that would be you because you have an amazing voice) look into the possibility of turning their posts into podcasts. I agree that there is no need for any particular skill, but there is no doubt that the creative spirit is passed from parents to children. I remember Frances reading poetry to me when I was 4 -5. Do you remember Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene Field. Oh that was my favourite. Frances started my reading journey, a gift that keeps on giving. Thank you for listening in and for your support and encouragement of these conversations.

Liked by 2 people

By Post Author

I have been thinking about trying the podcast option – maybe during the winter. I remember someone reciting Wynken, Blynken, and Nod but I don’t remember who it was. One of my favorite shows is the original “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” that is narrated by Boris Karloff. I love his voice. I used to read Dr. Seuss books to our daughter and make up funny voices for the characters.

Liked by 2 people

Thank you for this comment, Marina, which I am going to leave on in case others experience the same problem. WordPress has a block that allows me to include the Anchor podcast. The problem arises when it takes about 24 hours for WordPress to acknowledge the change in Anchor podcasts. The result is that the previous podcast will be on until the transition is complete. And that is why I also include a SoundCloud link for those who stop by before the transition occurs. There are WordPress mysteries that will remain mysteries. 🤗🤗🤗

Liked by 1 person

By Post Author

Oh, I definitely believe in the “blissful silence” and what a wonderful poem Jean-Jacques and you certainly know how to “expand” the word! A conversation I really enjoyed listening to, thank you Rebecca! Sending my best wishes from across the ocean to both.
ps All the best on your new poetry book, Jean-Jacques!

Liked by 2 people

I am delighted that you joined Jean-Jacques and me in blissful silence, Marina. I have often wondered how our life experiences in early childhood encourages us to embrace creativity. Your father recognized that you were artistic and enjoyed music. His encouragement and guidance when you were young opened the world to you. Thank you for listening in and for your comments – truly appreciated.

Liked by 1 person

By Post Author

It’s always my pleasure following you through your wonder journeys and great dialogues with beautiful people, Rebecca! Yes, our childhood experiences open up worlds but it is ultimately how we nurture them and keep them alive and build on them that really makes a difference. Admirable are the people who haven’t had those worlds opened but were somehow revealed to them at a young age and followed them through.
Many hugs your way my dearest friend.

Liked by 2 people

A very enjoyable conversation about poetry, the appeal of writing short, and Jean-Jacques’ fascinating family history dating back to his grandparents. As I’ve told Jean-Jacques before, his poems remind me a bit of Emily Dickinson’s — which is high praise. 🙂 Thank you, Rebecca, for another absorbing podcast!

Liked by 1 person

Dave – what a great thought about Emily Dickinson! You are absolutely right. I went on a mini research to revisit Dickinsons’ poetry and indeed, found similarities.

Shadows by Jean-Jacques Fournier (Page 63)

There be shadows
Will hide the way,
From one to find
Ye choose to stay,
Where life is kind!

“Faith” is a fine invention by Emily Dickinson

“Faith” is a fine invention
For Gentlemen who see!
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency!

Indeed, high praise Dave! Thank you so much for listening in and for your heartening comments.

Liked by 1 person

By Post Author

What a treat to see Jean-Jacques as your featured guest on Tea, Toast & Trivia! I enjoyed listening to your conversation. I also enjoyed reading Poetry in Brief. I have the paperback, and it’s a beautiful physical object. I loved holding it in my hands as I read each poem. In this conversation, Jean-Jacques comments (and accompanying poem) about the importance of silence really struck a chord with me. To write poetry and to read the poetry of others, I have to have silence to get the full experience.

Liked by 2 people

Thank you, Liz, for adding your insights to Jean-Jacques thoughts on poetry. I loved the size of the Poetry in Brief, the colours and the way that Marianne added artwork to Jean-Jacques’ poetry. I agree that silence adds strength to the words, allowing them to flow in the air as if seeking a resting place in our hearts.

Liked by 2 people

By Post Author

Hi Rebecca, it is lovely to meet a new poet [to me]. I enjoyed Jean Jacques memories and thoughts about his visit to his old home, the farm. It is a strange feeling when you visit a place from your childhood after many years, you struggle to differential the present and the memories.

Liked by 2 people

I am delighted that you listened in to this conversation, Robbie. I have never visited Montreal and am looking forward to hopefully meeting up with Jean-Jacques and Marianne when travel comes back. I agree that is it very difficult to sort through memories of past and present. The home that we lived in Northern Manitoba is no more. All those memories – the laughter, the music, the grieving – have no other place than in my recollections. It is a reminder of the impermanence of life, to live and remember.

Liked by 2 people

By Post Author

A wonderful podcast. I have so much respect for poets. I am always amazed at how each word is carefully chosen to paint a picture or create a mood. It has taken me many years to realize the importance of silence. Eighteen books of poetry is an amazing feat.

Liked by 2 people

I am so glad your listened in Darlene. Poetry has taught me that words carry power and that the “less is more” philosophy has great benefits. As for silence, I recall that great Mark Twin quote: “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.” Many thanks for your visit and comments – very much appreciated. Sending hugs!

Liked by 2 people

By Post Author

Thank you, Rebecca and Jean-Jacques for this delightful and encouraging conversation. I appreciated his sharing his early experience writing several books and how he found this unfulfilling. Then, he changed to writing poetry and found that longer poems were not as good as his shorter ones. Writing shorter poems with meaning was the final result. This proved to me that patiently finding the way that we best express ourselves takes time and patience. I appreciate his sharing his early life with his mother’s experience on the farm with cattle, since this was part of my early experience, as was her experience with sewing, also a part of my life. Congratulations on your thought provoking poems and the publication of a impressive number. Looking forward to the next book, thank you for sharing one of the poems with us! !

Liked by 2 people

Thank you for your detailed comments, Frances. I knew that you would enjoy this podcast, especially how Jean-Jacques childhood experience influenced his creativity as he progress in his poetry. I agree – “that patiently fining the way that we best express ourselves takes time and patience. It is an inner journey that cannot be clouded by what other people consider to be best for us.

Liked by 1 person

By Post Author

Thank you, Rebecca, for introducing me to Jean-Jacques and his poetry. His reflections on his youth and creativity were mesmerizing, and I enjoyed his comment about poetry being the perfect length for him. Thank you both for reading the poems. Beautiful.

Liked by 2 people

Jean-Jacques, you are most charming.
The poem”A Blissful Silence” is beautiful.
I’m pleased that you got creative genes and inspiration from your mom.
I too am a Couturier Designer. Mind you there is not much of a living to be made in the face of fast fashion. So, I have gone the other way…S…L…O…W.
I have turned it into a new kind of art, (it is not clothing per se) that very few have the perspicacity to understand. Rebecca gets it. She gets all art and artists.
You say your poetry is a word that expands.
I understand.
My art is a ribbon, or a scrap of fabric, or some yardage that expands.
Thank you!!!!!!!

Liked by 2 people

I relayed your wonderful message to Jean-Jacques and received this response from him, Resa:

Your artistry left me speechless, with every gown exposing its own specific and spectacular detailed magnificence and beauty.

As my young father dead at thirty-nine, which left my young mother of thirty-four a widow with three children, my young brother of three and elder sister of twelve, and me at eleven. Though with her seamstress abilities, taught to her by her mother-in-law, she was able to feed and clothe us, and by necessity very quickly with very long days and wee hours in the am, soon graduated to haute couture.

Ergo having been brought up with a house full of ball dresses and assorted ladies’ dresses, etc. as well as children’s clothes in the making, this through a good part of our relatively sizeable home, I can easily relate to the magnificent pictured gowns you show on your website.

Congratulations, Resa, is insufficient to express the whole of the sentiment your creations inspire, what magic! And what memories, seeing your artistry as it conjures images of my long-ago young life, with a young mother who kept her small family alive, in a like manner of creations. I thank you for that, Lady Resa..!

Jean-Jacques

Liked by 2 people

By Post Author

Jean-Jacques
from
Lady Resa……….
Quelle charmante!
Thank you for this sweet title, a compliment. I’m thrilled you like my gowns. You know I make them from scraps, leftovers, jobbers yardage, old clothes I take apart….. If it is destined for landfill, I might be able to convert it to a gown.
I haven’t figured out my buzz line yet.
Trash to Treasure
Garbage to Gowns
Landfill to Luxury
…. I’m open to ideas!

Also, it is my joy that I have provided you some wonderful memories of your youth.
Art is a blessing.
Take care

-Resa

Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.