DANVERS — Local author Jason Kirkey will give a live reading of his work tomorrow at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers.
Kirkey, 23, is a poet and author who has self-published three volumes of poetry and is working on a book.
He graduated from Danvers High School in 2003 and attended Naropa University in Boulder, Colo., which is a Buddhist-inspired school. There, he studied Celtic spirituality and earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in environmental studies and contemplative psychology.
Kirkey spent a semester abroad in Ireland and has returned several times. He self-published three collections: "Portraits of Beauty" in 2006, "Songs from a Wild Place" in 2007 and "The Ballad of the Sea-Sweet Moon and Other Poems" a few months ago.
He lives on Warren Street in Danvers. To learn more about Jason Kirkey and his poetry, visit www.jasonkirkey.com or www.hiraethpress.com.
Q&A with Jason Kirkey
What was the origin of your interest in spirituality?
"When I was 12, a cousin of mine was getting into earth-based religion. What he had to say got to me, and it became an interest for me."
And poetry?
"I started writing poetry probably in 10th grade, just as sort of an outlet for things I wasn't able to do in essays or stories. ... 2005 would be when I considered starting more of a career in poetry."
Why?
"I realized I could get the same messages across about ecopsychology and Irish studies, but to a broader audience."
What is ecopsychology?
"The human and nature relationship — tending to the relationship between the human community and the natural world."
What does your family think of your philosophical outlook?
"They're very excited about the poetry, but they don't understand the other parts."
What do you write about?
"I'm always asked to characterize my poems, and I can't. The best answer I can give is that it deals with nature and the soul, and those things aren't really distinct."
Any love poems?
"When you hear a young person is writing poetry, you almost assume it's love poetry. So for a while I made a conscious effort not to write love poetry."
What's the secret to being a poet?
"You develop a mindful attentiveness to the world around you. You sort of see in poetry. Meditation has helped in that sense."
Why are you doing the reading in Danvers?
"Now that I'm out of school, I've got to get out and read my poetry more. It's hard to be successful unless you're really out there and showing it to people."
Want to go?
What: An evening of poetry
Where: Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St.
When: Tomorrow, 6 to 7 p.m. open mic, followed at 7:30 p.m. by Jason Kirkey reading and book signing
Cost: Free
Information: 978-774-0554, or www.danverslibrary.org
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
