To give language to truths
Contributor Spotlight on Noelle Hendrickson
Noelle Hendrickson’s poem “Wishlist” appeared in Arkana’s Issue 17.
Arkana: What was your inspiration for this piece?
I often struggle to admit my personal wants, both to myself and others. Putting my desires inside a seemingly unrelated object or experience allows me to communicate them. Of course, sometimes things spill out that I don’t mean to. I wanted this piece to communicate a fear of truth alongside a desire to be vulnerable. I believe it is important to give language to truths, even if it is difficult, because only then can they be addressed.
Arkana: In the middle of this joyful list of delightful things, there’s a more serious conversation about the issue of lesbian consent. Can you talk about this juxtaposition?
I always try to give my readers an experience full of surprises. I fear that a predictable poem is an easy poem, which is partly why I included that juxtaposition. There’s also something deeply personal that I am trying to say in this piece. When one is ashamed of their sexuality, sexual experiences can be frightening. That last line, however, communicates that there is a desire for this to be different. When you are new to your own queerness, there can be a self-inflicted pressure to immediately enjoy your sexuality. In reality, it is hard to dive into enjoyment after a lifetime of internalized homophobia. I love to write about queer experiences—both the hard ones and the ones to celebrate.
Arkana: What guided your decision for this to be a prose poem? Did you experiment with other forms?
I was taught by the poet Rob Carney during my undergrad. He often advised the class to experiment with form, which resonated with me. I tend to structure my poetry in very traditional ways because it feels comfortable. This, I think, is not a good thing; I believe writers are meant to continually challenge themselves. Professor Carney had us write list poems for an assignment, and it turned into a regular exercise for me. A prose poem felt appropriate because it puts the entire list into a very cramped space. This, in my mind, helps the poem feel like the narrator is quickly spilling out everything they feel.
Arkana: How does your weekly writing class with autistic adults influence your own work?
Part of the autistic experience is viewing the world in different ways and communicating them as such. I think that this makes autistic individuals really fantastic writers. Teaching others in my community exposes me to new ways to formulate and handle language. It’s the dream environment for a poet to be in.
Arkana: What are you working on now?
I’ve been working on my debut collection for a while now. I sense that it is nearing completion, which I’m really excited about!
Arkana: We’re all MFA students at various points on our journey. Any advice for emerging writers?
A professor of mine once told me that he always has ten submissions out at once. When he hears back about one, he sends another out. It’s not important whether they are acceptances or rejections; the point is that he’s regularly putting things into the world. I genuinely think that this is one of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever received.