The Poet’s Story: Interview with Kelly Catharine Bradley

Hi Kelly. Thank you so much for being willing to do an interview with me! You have always been the most private person I know and, being that I know a lot of poets, that's saying a lot. You're also one of the most amazing people I know, so I appreciate your willingness for a public dialogue. 

You've had a nearly unthinkable, unbearable tragedy, having Baeley die last year at 22. I met you because Baeley and Coley were in school together. The first thing I knew of you was you as a Mom. And honestly, you are one of the most devoted, loving Moms, if not the most, I've ever met. I don't say that to flatter you, you understand. It's just your devotion and the type of love you pour. I can honestly go so far as to say you've been a model to me at times. Since Baeley died in October of last year, you've written 2 poetry collections and are onto a third.. I've never seen better evidence of the importance and power of poetry, helping keep someone alive. Does that statement resonate with you?

Kelly:

yes - thank you kristin

Kristin:

Let's talk about a gift, your 169 poem collection that dropped in October. It feels vital, also in parts devastating. I'm wondering how the poems come to you and how you get them out. Do you have a process and ritual around writing? Do you only write when inspiration hits? Does the writing uplift you or is it more paying witness to the reality of your grief?

Kelly:

a gift (Baeley Atlas Co imprint), was something I had to write and share with Baeley’s friends,  my family and those who loved and knew him. These are poems I wrote starting in the days after his death, including his obituary and the eulogy I wrote and delivered at his funeral, a gift. All of these poems came to me and I was the vessel to write them down. The poems flow through my brain and heart like a word symphony. I see them, envision them and write them down, whether at a stoplight on the way to tend to Baeley’s grave, in the morning as I sit outside and light three candles or in between anything that takes thought. These poems were born from the constant sobs that seemed never-ending through severe and brutal grief. While they did not help my grief, I feel they address questions and observations about death that I haven’t heard anyone discuss before. I hoped to help Baeley’s friends with these poems, as a testament to him, who he was and what he meant to them and the world. I have given and will give any friend of Baeley’s a copy of the book. 

One way the book helped me was that it provided me with a focus and distraction from my grief as I laid it out in Google Docs and then learned a new program, InDesign which was used in publishing, and designed the cover and back of the book with Canva. I made trips to a local printer to determine the color I would use and printed four proofs to get the book, which I consider a work of art, in the best shape it could be. 

Kristin:

Could you share a bit about your thoughts on editing? How do you know when a poem's done?

Kelly:

Most of my poems receive minimal edits, particularly the ones in a gift. They come to me and tell me when they are done and how they should conclude at the point in time that they are written.

Kristin:

What impact, if any, would you like your poetry to make in the world? 

Kelly:

I hope that my poetry helps to open the dialogue around death and grief. I hope my poetry relays something about  my son, Baeley, who is no longer here and who is missed dearly by many every single day.

Kristin:

I think they absolutely do both prompt discussions on death and grief and, through your poems, I’ve gotten to know Baeley better, which is a real treat. I had the privilege of hosting you at Open Notes and attending your launch for a gift. It amazes me how many 20-something people continue to rally around you and keep Baeley's spirit alive. It seems to me that you're extending poetry to a whole other group who may not normally seek out poetry, people beyond the mature poets that seem to make up the majority of the local poetry community. Your poetry is raw, accessible, and relatable, making it inviting to any reader. Have you thought about that? How you've taken on a role as one bridging communities and increasing the popularity of poetry? Do you consciously consider that when writing? 

Kelly:

I always have Baeley and his community of friends in mind, whether I am writing poetry,  planning his birthday, celebrating him at his death anniversary, or driving to his grave. These young people continue to amaze me with the outpouring of love they continue to demonstrate for Baeley and share their love of him with me. I recognize this connection is precious and am so very grateful for it. They have given me the strength and courage to live and carve out a life after. They are the most courageous, kind and caring people I have ever known. 

I consider myself a folk poet as I am not as sophisticated as most poets. I do feel my poetry has important messages, no matter that they are written with few words and little if any punctuation. I have consistently heard from those who have read my books that while they don’t normally like poetry, they are drawn to mine and it resonates with them.

Kristin:

Could you describe a little bit about the differences and similarities between a gift and your forthcoming collection and then? 

Kelly:

While both and then and a gift contain poems around Baeley’s death, his friends and our collective grief, the poems in and then tell a more intricate story. a gift was written in the first six months after Baeley’s death while and then was written in the second half of the year after Baeley died. 

Kristin:

Other than writing an incredible amount of poetry, what other changes have marked your life this year? Would you mind sharing about your new business, which I find poetic and beautiful?

Kelly:

Aside from publishing a gift and finalizing and then, I have started a grave tending business in the dmv, offering the unique type of tending that I have brought to Baeley’s grave. These tendings are centered around elements of nature and have a temporary essence to them. The deer, birds, rain and wind will alter the tending I grace the grave with. There are a lot of deer in the graveyard where some of Baeley’s ashes are buried and I have come to call the tendings a moveable feast because at times, the deer are eating the delicacies before I am in my car driving out of the cemetery. Anyone in the dmv interested in a grave tending, can contact me via my Instagram link in bio -  @kellycbradleydesigns 

Kristin: 

Is there anything else that you might like to share?

Kelly:

My Instagram, a gift, is another way to read parts of my poetry from a gift and the forthcoming book, and then, as well as to find out about future readings and events.

 @a__gift_ 

To purchase a gift, click here or contact me via Ig if you are in the dmv area. 

The book is printed in the Gotham font, one that was created and used in the outdoors, which was Baeley’s favorite place to be.

My previous collection from before, love loss and the enormity of it all can be purchased here.

(( Thank you, Kelly ))