Biography
Jay Brazeau is an emerging, Ottawa-based poet known for his-off-the-wall subject choices and use of humour in his writing.
Although he resides in Ottawa, he lives in a world on the outer edge of imagination – where cats wear houndstooth jackets, chickens sell eggs and pigeon pants have pockets for popcorn.
Jay believes that human beings are intended to connect with each other. He chooses to use humour as a tool to create that important connection with his readers and audiences.
His poems have appeared in various anthologies, The Caterpillar Magazine, online at Tyger Tyger and in the upcoming public art project WHAT YOU’D NEVER EXPECT A BEAR TO WEAR (and Other Ironic Outfits).
He once won a hamburger for placing second in a community poetry contest.
You can follow him on Twitter @brazeaujay and Instagram @theotherjaybrazeau.
Micro-interview
Not at all! I did well in math, physics and accounting. My English teachers became exasperated with me. I'm afraid I may have sent more than a few into early retirement.
I started writing poetry as an adult, the bi-product of a life-long fascination with the varied work of Shel Silverstein. I rejected the urge to write poems of my own until I read the last poem in his posthumously published collection EVERYTHING ON IT, "When I Am Gone": When I am gone what will you do? / Who will write and draw for you? / Someone smarter -- someone new? / Someone better -- maybe YOU! I still regard this poem as not only an invitation, but more importantly permission to write. I got started immediately.
Someday I'd like to consider myself a poet. But for now I'll be happy to accept "emerging poet".
Human beings are intented to connect with each other. Poetry is simply a tool that I wish to use to connect with other human beings and if I can do that with the use of humour, my job is done.
N/A
N/A