In the poetry world, success is difficult to come by. But for one local poet, dedication and a well-placed simile led to the publication of his most recent book.
Shawnte Orion, an active member in the Phoenix poetry community, recently released his collection “The Existentialist Cookbook,” published by the New York Quarterly Foundation.
“The Existentialist Cookbook” features an array of Orion’s work over the years. He said many of the poems in the book were inspired by everyday life.
“I am more of an observational poet,” Orion said. “I didn’t want to be the kind of poet where someone would have to know me personally to appreciate the poem. That’s why I like to focus on things available to all of us. Especially if it’s something that’s a little absurd.”
With inspiration from others, peer support and constant dedication, Orion said he was able to become successful in the art community and with different literary publications. After being told no many times, Orion accredits his success to “stubbornness and thick skin.”
Orion has had his poems featured in various publications, such as Barrelhouse, The Threepenny Review, Canyon Voices Literary Magazine and the New York Quarterly. He also had his chapbook, or short collection of poetry, titled “The Infernal Gaze” published by Red Booth Review.
Senior Poetry Editor for Canyon Voices Arthur Morales said he enjoys publishing Orion in the magazine and often uses him as an example of what to look for when deciding who to publish.
“As a poetry editor, you have to connect with a poem,” Morales said. “For me, Shawnte’s poetry, it makes me not only smile, it makes me positive, it makes me laugh and it makes me question. But it also makes me revisit each line of his poetry just because it’s so good.”
Morales said he also enjoys the audio of Orion’s work and has featured his recordings with the magazine.
“For Shawnte Orion, it’s one thing to read his poetry, but it’s another amazing thing to hear him,” Morales said. “He uses voice intonations within his poetry that captivate the audience. When he reads his poem, you can just hear the silence in the room and just have everybody captivated by each word.”
Orion got a grounded start in poetry by adamantly submitting works to journals and publications. He then went on to spoken-word poetry, performing in bars, coffeehouses and other artistic venues around central Phoenix and beyond.
Orion hosts, with two other poets, the monthly Caffeine Corridor Poetry Series the second Friday of every month at {9} the Gallery. He also is committed to the monthly poetry reading at Glendale Community College and various other readings and poetry slams throughout Phoenix.
Supporters of Orion’s work agree that it is not enough to read his poetry; one has to hear him perform to get the full impact of his poems.
“I specifically like Shawnte’s readings, and I bought his book to support him,” said Penny Brown, a student and fan of Orion’s poetry. “They’re words on a page and they’re fun to read, but because he has such a distinctive voice, he brings the poems to life.”
Jack Evans, fellow poet and co-host with Orion at {9} the Gallery, said the publication is well-deserved for Orion.
“I am always surprised when a poet is successful, because that’s not very usual, for poets to have good luck,” Evans said. “But I think he is deserving of it, and if anybody was going to be successful, he would be the person I would think would do it because he works hard at it and he’s just very talented.”
Poetry has had a major impact on Orion’s life. He said that what he enjoys most about poetry is the way it helps him connect with others.
“It’s bizarre because you mostly start out writing due to antisocial tendencies and general misfit awkwardness,” Orion said. “But suddenly I look back and realize how many crazy experiences and wonderful people have been brought into my life through the poems that I’ve written.”
Orion said his next step is a second book. He is working on expanding his success to other cities and states and advocating poetry that would normally be overlooked, he said.
Contact the reporter at bjohns35@asu.edu
