An Interview with Mr. Kates
We’ve all seen the monthly displays he assembles in the library, but Mr. Kates hasn’t only been leading the environmental learning grant effort, coordinating the senior thesis program, and curating the Priory library . . . he has been just as busy in his work outside of Priory. In August Mr. Kates published his third book: Coupled: A Memoir in Poetry. Through his writing Mr. Kates explored activism, his relationships with his wife and son, the combinations of joy and challenge that constitute life, and more.
Is there anything you would want readers to keep in mind as they begin reading “Coupled?”
Writing memoir can be daunting. Why is my story unique or compelling? What I hope is that readers find my work interesting because it’s not unique. I hope that they see themselves or family or friends in the stories but also learn about different experiences. Another issue with memoir is potentially hurting people mentioned in the book. Initially, I write for myself, but when thinking about publishing the work, I have to think about how the reader might interpret or react.
How is your poetry connected to current events?
Coupled is definitely my most political book. I didn’t intend it to be that way, but perhaps it’s a reflection of the times. Poetry has been connected to politics for many years. Most presidents have asked poets to read at their inaugurations since John F. Kennedy (who requested Robert Frost). Amanda Gorman wrote a stirring poem (“The Hill We Climb”) for President Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
Coupled features poems responding to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, dangers lurking like guns and reckless driving, and animal rights.
What was the most beautiful thing you found in or about Israel when you were there?
(In 2011 Mr. Kates went on a faculty trip to Israel through the school where he worked at the time)
I was entranced by Israel because of the number of cultures, religions, and nationalities that have called it home. Visitors are literally walking on history and archeological sites abound. It is a special place because of its diversity. But this multiculturalism has been a double-edged sword throughout the millennia. How do you divide land Holy to so many people?
“Coupled” contains a large section of poetry devoted to your son . . . how did you approach writing poetry about fatherhood and the birth of a son?
I tend to write when I’m emotional, either ecstatic or down in the dumps. Some of the pieces for Owen I wrote for special events like birthdays. Others are just attempting to chronicle Owen’s characteristics or milestones so I’ll remember them years from now, almost like journaling or taking a photo.
I hope that emotion translates in my work. I try to write to be easily understood. I included section introductions to help with this.
What was the most difficult concept to write poetry around and what made it difficult?
I like poetry because I can write quickly and feel a sense of completion.
But one piece took years to write: “Hidden.” I first wrote it for a writing class as a documentary poem, chronicling very complex events: a strange man who lived with my neighbor and pretended to be in the CIA. In fact, he told my neighbor to leave his body after he died and that his CIA comrades would pick him up. So she left him in an SUV for a couple of weeks. Even more troubling to me was that he hoarded guns and ammunition. The entire neighborhood had to be evacuated while the police deactivated the stockpile.
How do I tell this story in one poem? Finally, I realized that the story is emblematic of the danger lurking around us.
Can you speak about the catharsis you find in poetry? Do you find it through reading poetry as well?
I started writing poetry because I needed catharsis after the death of a family member. For me, writing is healing. But reading can also be cathartic if I connect with it well. Also, listening to music is very cathartic. My second book focuses a good bit on music and photography.
What relationship do you find between poetry and activism?
I think poetry works well for activist causes because it is succinct and meant to be read aloud. It also can be very musical. Both poetry and music lend themselves well to activism.
Just as his poems often tell stories, Mr. Kates’ favorite poets are tale-spinners. Mr. Kates tends to connect with prose poems as this is the style he writes in. His favorite poets include Billy Collins, Amanda Gorman, Rupi Kaur, Ada Limon, Rudy Francisco, Phil Kaye, Sarah Kaye, and Maya Angelou.
Coupled is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and more. To learn more visit Mr. Kates’s website, StoriesMadeWhole.com, where you can read about his first two books and find a list of his book vendors.
Between work and raising his son, the future is busy for Mr. Kates, but he is always exploring ideas and ever passionate about literature. In the more immediate future, he is considering releasing his work in audiobook format so that people could access his books via his website at any time.
