Daniel Boettcher interviewed me for his new podcast Shine, about ‘Waterwheels’ – the poem I wrote for my children, published in Brittle Star 47, and the ring Daniel created based on the poem.
In the interview I talk about the genesis of the poem, and the role of poetic form in my writing process, as a focus for my conscious mind and a doorway to the imagination.
Daniel is a remarkable guy, who travels the world in search of inspiration, materials and craftsmanship for the bespoke jewelry he makes for his clients. And his podcast is a one-off – he not only interviews his guests but also designs a unique piece of jewelry based on the guest’s story.
Sure enough, he listened to my description of using poetic form as a way to bypass the conscious mind and open the door to imagination, and came up with a design for a new ring:
The Distraction Ring, a remarkable thumb ring designed to unlock creativity and calm the restless mind. This thoughtful piece combines artistry with function, featuring independently rotating sections that create a rhythmic clicking sound and a texture that invites tactile engagement. Daniel explores how this ring serves as a gentle prompt to redirect the conscious mind, freeing the subconscious to spark inspiration and innovation.
You can hear the interview here, listen to Dan talk about The Distraction Ring here, and get access to the jewelry designs from all the episodes here.