by Michael Wynne
Poets are a different sort of writer, not better nor worst than other writers of fiction and non-fiction. While so-called “normal” writers write on subjects commonly not about themselves (other than in autobiographies), poets, in essence, are writing about their inner selves in a broad sense. The words they choose come through the filter of their soul, regardless of what subject they are writing about. The words that they write are chosen eloquently and succinctly, as though each and every word chosen represents the whole of the poetry that they create. And create they do! The poet is intent at attempting to transfer their own feelings on the subject matter that they are creating for the reader to feel so they will both “see” the same “mind” pictures, and feel the same rustling in each other’s own bones.
We are blessed with having some of the state’s leading poets right here in old CenLa, poets like Shelley Jinks Johnson, Bob Bussey and, of course, Dr. Julie Kane. But we have additional great poets who quietly live and toil away at their craft without expecting, or maybe even wanting, any accolades, including beloved poets and renaissance men like DAVID ATWOOD.
The son of a railroad man and a “housewife” (as he described), David has lived in several places in the state, sometimes repeatedly in the same locations. A native of New Orleans where he has spent his formative years, he actually graduated here at ASH. But his best youthful memories revolved around cultural themes. “I got turned on to music, radio and poetry in New Orleans,” exclaimed David to me while visiting in the Tamp and Grind coffee shop, “There was turmoil in that time of my life due to difficulties in my family. I was looking for an outlet to relieve my angst.”
Initially, the outlet he needed was a set of drums with which he could “lock out the world and do what I wanted to do.” Those drums put him in motion to play in local garage bands, later professional bands, and he wound up in L.A.. Soon, he met the love of his life, Christie Gabour (featured in my column in August of ’22), a well-known and respected author herself.
David’s life has taken many turns and locations over the years, including a stint working in architecture, but he is now well-known nationally as a very successful voice actor (his voice is quite recognizable). He has also been part of the popular and award-winning “The Melissa and David Show” on local radio station KRRV for nine years now.
The start of David’s poetry career goes back to his youth when he watched the Jim Metcalf program on New Orleans television. “His poetry was so good, I didn’t even know it was poetry at first,” David remembers, “I just loved and admired his use of language.” David got actively in poetry in the mid 90’s after the death of his brother. “I was launched into poetry as personal therapy. Poetry had structure and themes which included the theme of grief,” remarked David. He was initially very sensitive about his personal writings, but after finally letting Christie read his work and receiving positive notes from her, he was “shocked” to learn from her that he was actually writing poetry. “It’s a funny thing about poets accepting this mantle and allowing yourself to be called a poet and think of yourself as a poet,” David said with his usual great humility.
I like David on so many different levels. I truly love his four books of poetry, the latest being the magnificent “Mud Boy,” all books available on Amazon. Quite frankly, I think you will love his books too!
He can be reached at Atwoodvoices@gmail.com.
