Cassie Holguin-Pettinato, welcome to The Poetry Shop 5! Tell us about yourself and your new book: The Five Stages of Stuttering.
I am a fourth-generation resident of a small neighborhood in El Paso, TX, called La Calavera (The Skull), situated on the U.S.–Mexico border. Growing up in this unique historic land provided a secluded oasis for creativity and imagination. My love for reading, writing poetry, and collaging started here.
The Five Stages of Stuttering is a poetic exploration of the connection between stuttering and grief. A sacred language that forced me to pause and sit with the pain I was carrying. I was inspired to write poetry on this theme after watching a video segment titled "Adapt-Ability." I connected the common disfluencies in speech – repetitions, prolongations, blocks, interjections, and revisions to the stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. You can find out more about me and my work at www.cassiehp.com
We're always interested to hear about a writer's "gateway poet." Which book first drew you to poetry?
Walking the Black Cat by Charles Simic. I have loved poetry since middle school but didn't own any poetry books until high school. This was the very first book I owned. When I read Charles Simic's poems, I felt as if I were reading my own work at the time, and it inspired me to keep writing.
Which poetry book are you currently reading?
Kitchen Hymns by Pádraig Ó Tuama. I bought this book during my artist residency in Ireland. The author is an Irish poet, theologian, and presenter of the Poetry Unbound podcast. This is an amazing collection of poems that will surprise you, coming from a man of faith who quotes,
God made everything from nothing.
But the nothing persists.
- Paul Valery
Is there a book on the craft of writing that you recommend to poets?
Write Away! Poetry: A Guided Poetry Journal with Over 101 Writing Exercises
It's not a book on craft but rather a journal filled with prompts that invite you to play with language, use your senses, and experiment with form.
Who is a new voice in poetry that we need to check out–someone with a debut book or recent release?
Leila Chatti's debut book Deluge. This poet makes me fall in love with poetry all over again. She inspires me to play with lines and think beyond the traditional format.
Finally, what’s a poetry book that others may not know about but deserves a shout out?
How To Lie To A Customs Agent by Carlos F. Espinoza. Carlos is another poet from El Paso, Texas, who is brilliant with words and captures his life in the borderlands beautifully.
Books referenced in this article.
The Five Stages of Stuttering (Flower Song Press) by Cassie Holguin-Pettinato
Walking the Black Cat (Ecco Press) by Charles Simic
Kitchen Hymns (Copper Canyon Press) by Pádraig Ó Tuama
Deluge (Copper Canyon) by Leila Chatti
How To Lie To A Customs Agent by Carlos F Espinoza
Write Away! Poetry: A Guided Poetry Journal with Over 101 Writing Exercises
