This article delves into the multifaceted world of poet Nada Gordon, exploring the creation of her poem “Poem to My Enemies” and her broader artistic endeavors. Gordon, a prolific writer with seven books of poetry to her name, shares insights into her creative process, her current passion for needle felting, and her unique perspective on life in Brooklyn.
The Genesis of “Poem to My Enemies”
Gordon’s “Poem to My Enemies” was born from an imagined dynamic with a colleague she felt exuded negative energy. This personal experience, though perhaps not a literal enmity, provided fertile ground for the poem’s themes of grievance and defense. The poem itself is constructed by meticulously selecting and juxtaposing fragments of dictionary definitions, a technique Gordon employs to create a satisfying sense of “nestedness” within her work. This innovative approach highlights her experimental spirit and her ability to find poetic inspiration in the most unexpected places. The poem was originally published in The Brooklyn Rail in September 2008.
Beyond Poetry: Needle Felting and Manuscript Preparation
While poetry remains a central focus for Gordon, she reveals a burgeoning interest in needle felting. This tactile art form offers a counterbalance to the intellectual demands of writing, allowing her to engage with a more three-dimensional and hands-on creative process. Her needle-felted creations include sculptures of her cats, a Japanese doll, a sparrow, a cardinal, and a moss-covered Japanese fox statue. Concurrently, Gordon is diligently gathering poems for a new manuscript, tentatively titled Sturm, hinting at a thematic exploration akin to “Sturm und Drang” (storm and stress).
A Day in the Life: Defining a “Good Day”
When asked about a “good day,” Gordon humorously acknowledges the potential challenges for individuals with mood disorders. However, she defines her ideal day as one encompassing creation, discovery, and exchange, enriched by the simple pleasures of flowers, kittens, chocolate, and a “complete overturning of the social order.” This whimsical response underscores her appreciation for life’s aesthetic and experiential richness.
Brooklyn Living: From Park Slope to Kensington
Gordon has been a resident of Brooklyn since 1999, initially living in Park Slope before moving to Kensington in 2001. While she notes Park Slope’s comforts, she found its culinary scene lacking. Kensington, by contrast, offers proximity to Prospect Park and a more comfortable living environment. She describes a vibrant neighborhood atmosphere, with the sounds of horse riders, the lush greenery of summer, and the diverse cultural fabric evident in chess games on Ocean Parkway and elaborate Halloween decorations. Despite acknowledging Kensington isn’t “terribly interesting,” she has cultivated a personal sanctuary within her apartment, transforming it into a “seraglio-space” filled with rich colors and intricate decorations.
A defining Brooklyn experience for Gordon involved a patternmaking class in a fashion design school. The predominantly West Indian and African cohort fostered a sense of shared learning and gratitude, easing her readjustment after a trip to Japan.
Literary Affiliations and Influences
Gordon’s literary landscape is marked by a distinctive appreciation for poets like Henny Youngman, and she has undertaken projects such as replacing nouns in Whitman’s “Song of Myself” to create “Song of My OWNself.” Her favorite Brooklyn bookstores include Unnameable Books, Berl’s Poetry Bookshop, and Spoonbill and Sugartown, though she also finds treasures on the street and in basements. The subway, a place she frequents for her commute to Pratt Institute, is paradoxically a significant location for her creative output, serving as a “hotbed not just of germs but of creativity.”
Beyond her writing spaces, Gordon enjoys the fabric stores in Little Lahore, a Vietnamese noodle joint in Brooklyn Chinatown, and photographing old signage in Borough Park. For more profound enjoyment, she ventures to Queens. Her recent literary enjoyment includes Mina Loy’s novel Insel.
A Complex Relationship with Brooklyn
Gordon expresses a candid ambivalence towards Brooklyn, stating she “never hankered after Brooklyn” and finds its winters torturous. She prefers cultures that prioritize beauty and charm over “grittiness” and would ideally prefer to live in Tokyo, Paris, Bali, or the Bay Area. While the circumstances of her arrival in Brooklyn remain undisclosed, she acknowledges staying due to “various anchors in animal and human form,” endeavoring to make the best of her situation.
The article concludes with Gordon’s creative completion of Whitman’s lines and a nine-line poem using end-words from Jay Z’s “Brooklyn Go Hard,” showcasing her versatile poetic engagement with diverse inspirations.
