“The Dead Father Speaks,” an excerpted poem from “How to Talk about the Dead” written by ABAC’s own Dr. Jeff Newberry, was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The nomination recognizes his work and honors the annual best literary works.
Newberry was shocked at the announcement.
Newberry said, “I got an email from my publisher and misread it without opening it. That time of year, every publisher and journal sends out the Pushcart nominees. Usually, the editor will reach out to you directly and let them know… I know it’s a cliché to say it’s an honor to be nominated, but it’s really an honor to be nominated.”
Newberry revealed his purpose and creative process, which can hit close to home.
“My dad was a distant figure. He died when I was about fourteen years old, and I’d written a lot about trying to understand him, where he came from and just trying to understand the person he was,” he said.
“The poem is kind of an inversion of that. I wondered if he could talk back to me, what might he say? I found empathy in that.”
With writing poems comes an understanding of them that doesn’t come without critical thinking.
Newberry said, “Poems demand a lot of a reader… just one page I can linger over for a long time and think about what and how it’s being said and crafting language.”
Newberry also understands that there’s a type of simplicity that complexity can never replace in poems: “There’s a school of poetry out there that says the more confusing it is, the better. A lot of readers come to poetry from well-meaning high school teachers who teach to enjoy poetry; you have to tie it to a chair and beat a meaning out of it.”
The steps from brainstorming to pen and paper are not as hard for Newberry as they can be for others, as writing impacts his daily life.
“I write every day. I like to read before I write to get me in that head space. I write a lot that never sees the light of day. You should write a lot that readers never see because 90% of your writing is not always good. You have to write X and Y before you can get to Z,” Newberry said.
While keeping up with teaching classes and personal writing endeavors, dedication is key for Newberry to balance everyday tasks and achieve such a prestigious nomination.
“You have to be selfish about your time and be faithful to your writing. When working, you don’t feel guilty about it even though it may be hard. My wife and family are supportive, so I don’t think I’m ever stealing time from them to have a couple of hours to myself,” he said.
For Newberry, balancing personal writing, professorial work, and a family at home can present a challenge. “The Dead Father Speaks” Pushcart Prize nomination speaks to Dr. Newberry’s persistence and dedication, making his nomination all the more deserved and meaningful.