BCC Shines A Light On: Daniel Rortvedt
When/where was it originally published:
Portions of this poem were previously self-published scattered across days and weeks as separate posts on Twitter/X.
Tell us more about your piece! What is the background of the piece? What led you to write it? What’s your process?
This poem is “after”/ inspired by an amalgamation of the hundreds of out-of-office e-mail replies I’ve read and written, infused with some surrealist twists. This poem came together rather seamlessly, which is different from my usual poem-writing process which typically evolves over long periods of writing, revision, rearranging. I wrote most of the segments of this poem on my phone in the waiting room of my son’s Tae Kwon Do Dojo while waiting for his classes to finish.
How did you feel when it was first published and how have your thoughts or feelings on the piece changed from then to now?
When it was first published I saw the segments as separate anecdotes. Republishing the poem in one piece has helped me see the poem more holistically.
Is there a specific message you would like readers to take away from reading this piece?
Ultimately, I hope it’s just enjoyable to read! I find it interesting to consider that the concept of “asynchronicity” (a theme of this poem) is literally the foundation of poetry and the writer/reader relationship. Maybe the poem is a nod toward the simultaneous significance & insignificance of all of our work in a way that neither trivializes nor glorifies it, and to the confusing arbitrariness of states of presence and absence, the importance of holding responsiveness and care for others alongside a commitment and dedication to “a response” while also holding space for _____________
What else would you like to tell readers about your writing? (Doesn’t have to refer only to your BCC piece)
Recently I am beginning to embrace the intersection between my “professional (work) life” and my “poetry (leisure) life”. This poem about the complexities of work, play, and rest was a meaningful step in doing that. I’m grateful to BCC for featuring the poem!
Where can readers find more of your work? (Website/social media, etc)
Some of my recent poems appear in word west revue, JAKE, Lunch Ticket, and other journals. You can learn more about my work, writing, and editing projects via bit.ly/thisdjr and connect via Twitter/X: @thisdjr
