Felino Soriano Tribute

Kwon Do at age 15. In addition to the physicality of the tradition, philosophy was
being introduced to me through the articulation of parallels: language/body, and
these together taught the spontaneity and the believability that the body’s
language must first listen to the calm resuscitating parables of the mind’s
elongated teachings. Applying the mind first toward environment, here, is valid,
in that action sans critical thinking can lead to destruction of purity’s
foundational intent.
Discuss your travels within and without the United States. How does region
(specifically the west coast) play a part in your poetry - either implicitly or
explicitly?
I rarely travel. The popular term of “homebody” applied very well to me. Home
is comfort in the finding of routine, habit. When these attributes are disrupted,
my functionality is unbalanced, regardless of “how nice” the hotel is, for
example. I have never travelled outside of the United States, but hope to
eventually do some travelling—particularly to the Philippines, Mexico and
Europe. I have family in various places throughout the country, most notably in
Hawaii and North Carolina. I have been to these states several times, but not in
several years. I want to eventually make it back to visit.
Region, in conjunction with availability of resources is foundational to my
poetry. The context here is regardless of where I am—if my computer is with me
(but also, other tools—pen, paper, surface, etc.) I will be able to create a poem
based on environment. Environment is predicated on what the embrace is—what
is available to interpret. Environment here is not the political definition, but the
proprietary objects asking to be interpreted. Because my poems are dually
inspired—environment/jazz music—the reactive behavior outlines outcome
through the connectivity to content of the imagination.
I have never met you, but you claim to have an introverted disposition, which
doesn't surprise me given your prolific poetic nature. I am more of an extroverted
nature, but I do have my introverted side, and it's being cultivated more and
more as I age. Discuss your thoughts regarding introversion and extroversion.
The poet Will Alexander said “For me, poetry must be initially nourished in
isolation. One must grow to seed in private until it burns its way into the world on
its own.” This echoes into my own particular position. I write alone—always
have. I have never taken a creative writing class or class on how to write poetry
—this is extraneous to me. Perhaps this brand of camaraderie dissolves prior to
reaching me, as my anatomy of poetic language is often mis:read/interpreted/
understood in the spectrum of contemporary poetry.
My instinctive disposition is encircled by introversion, as this breeds aliveness in
its allowance to engage with the various epicurean topics that bring such a
heightened brand of joy, in solitude. Like you, Alison, as I am getting older, my