Windham resident and poetry author Bob Clark, driven by a sense of giving back to society in a permanent manner, is preparing for the release of his newest book, “Sleigh Bells,” as a part of his annual poetry display at the Windham Public Library for National Poetry Month during April.
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| Bob Clark grew up in Windham and became fascinated with writing after reading National Geographic magazine. He is now a poet who has written a new book and a new poem about Babbs Bridge which is on display at the Windham Public Library in April. PHOTO BY ELLE CURTIS |
Growing up in Windham, Clark lived in a farm home, which included a horse barn from 1825. When he was young, Clark had growing interests in writing and reading, inspired by some 1930s National Geographic magazines that he kept in the attic of the horse barn.
“National Geographic really opened the world,” said Clark.
Through images found in both magazines and online, Clark found inspiration.
“Can you imagine? The opportunity I have to make another new book with a new cover,” he said. “That alone is interesting to me since I can find inspiration from photos online.”
Apart from photos found online and nature, Clark is also inspired by authors such as Longfellow and Robert Frost. In viewing other people’s work, Clark says he has found his niche.
What’s behind the image is the impulse of emotion. Emotion is the key to the product he’s laying out in words. His poems “Our Candle Vigil” and his newer poem, “Babb’s Bridge,” speak about a commonality between the towns of Lewiston and Windham that Clark believes should be continued. With his work and library display, Clark wants to reach the public.
“Our Candle Vigil,” which was presented to Lewiston city councilor following the tragic mass shooting there, conveys a message of support.
Through poetry, Clark sees his poems as a way of giving back to the community.
“The tragedy is the tragedy, but the humanity of it is that we somehow manage to get through it and pull together, and recognize each other, kind of lean on each other,” said Clark.
It is as he writes that he asks himself what influence his poems can have. He’ll rewrite a poem 40 to 50 times. Each poem is roughly 2 to 4 pages. They mean a lot to Clark. He strives to capture the image and word selection is an important part of that. Words can carry a little image, he says.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be thousands of words. It might only be six words and then boom, it grabs you and captures your imagination,” says Clark.
Poetry is one way Clark has reached the public and left a lasting mark. For years, he was unsure how to put his work out there until he thought of framing his work for displays.
“Nobody else was doing that,” he said. “Libraries didn’t have a local poet that would just come in and frame his work to be put up and displayed. They would have a book here and maybe a book there.”
Windham Public Library has been a place where Clark is able to display his poetry. His focus is on providing lyrical respites in a busy world.
“There’s time to become aware, and there’s this time to decide, well I like these things in life,” said Clark.
With that in mind he wrote his poem “Those We Never Knew.” Clark presented the poem to the Maine State Senate earlier this year as a part of delivering the opening invocation at the Maine State House in recognition of and gratitude to those who sacrificed for our nation.
His words prompt reflection on the origins of America’s independence and he learned the power of words by taking college courses at the University of Southern Maine in the late 1960’s.
More ambitious projects are in the works as Clark prepares for “The New Poetry Workshop’ with the Maine Coast Men group.
“I’m very excited. I’m not writing a new poem for it, but I’m explaining how to ‘cook the cookies,’ and how the work is done,” he said. The themed workshop will focus on ‘Lyrical Respites in a Busy World.”
Clark’s newest book “Sleigh Bells” will be on display along with some of his other works at the Windham Public Library throughout the month of April for National Poetry Month. Free copies of his “Babb’s Bridge” poem will be offered. <
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