The Buffalo Niagara Proud Alliance was lucky enough to chat with Juniper Raven Thunders, a Buffalo poet, open-mic host, and
musician.
Check out the interview, read her featured poem, and visit her at her monthly open mic: Beats, Brews, and Prose at Eugene V. Debs Hall on every third Sunday from 6 – 10 PM.
How did you get into poetry?
I got into poetry via rock music as a kid, I didn’t have the best home life and my refuge was music. I actually remember listening to Bob Dylan and Neil Young songs on the radio growing up, and their words were able to paint the picture in my head at a young age, and how the words could paint such beautiful and dark and sad movies sorta in your head. I was and am still really into 60s / 70s counterculture, and via The Doors I got into the beat poets, and Kerouac is to me still one of the most prevalent my influences. I started writing lyrics and such at 14 cuz I’ve always been a musician as well. Poetry to me and lyrics can co exist but when I write poetry, there’s no constraints or melody I need to follow, it’s pure free form stream of consciousness type stuff for me.
What other writing do you do?
I’ve been a songwriter since I was 14 and do that as well.
What sort of themes do your literary projects explore?
Well, heartache, loss, hope, despair, anger, revolution, sex, drugs, death, the whole gamut of the queer trans human existence.
Who are some local poets that inspire you?
Justin Karcher without a doubt has been a huge influence, and a mentor so to speak. He is fully into what I do and has helped me from day one. Ben Brindise, Rachael Ryot, Brigid, JB, so many to name.
How do you hope your poetry resonates with and is interpreted by the reader?
I hope it makes them feel and see and experience things. Hope and comfort in the deranged despair that is our existence. Inspiration, or even a spark. To feel and fully feel, good and bad, happy and sorrow.
Are there specific messages you try to convey to the reader?
That love and community is needed always, and to always question everything. Sometimes it’s hope, and because of how being in the local music spotlight as well as poetry people perceive you sometimes and it ain’t always correct, so some of my
work is more of me expressing reality of things that isn’t always pleasant or expected.
What are some current writing projects you’re working on?
I’m working on my 3rd book of poetry and working on 2 folk records.
“Howl Of The Hindu Fox”
By Juniper Raven Thunders | Musician & Poet
I’m not tryin to pest or be annoying
Just a fox howling confused at the moon
Cafe early morning skepticism
On a world grown too hot to touch
Too frigid to stand
Well maybe not the earth but
Those who choose the laws of the land
Take away everything while keeping their heads in the sand
I can’t even say oh the humanity
Sarasvati help guide us in unity through prose
Krishna show us joy
Bring us peace like the Buddha to Nirvana
Bring us a dharma new year everyday
Not a nuclear date night set to implode at any moment
Manifestation gestation creation
In my own little community
To what I wish to mirror in the world around me
Daddyo hepcat spouse of mine
Whether it’s debauchery with Dionysus
Or the calm the boddhisatva
The contrarian that exists in me
The roads all end up the same
Without the heart intact
Crushed snorted burned n torn
The light in the eyes of those born
Turn into scars from a generations scorn
Poison in the trees to the seas
Oh the horror and their evil deceit
Pushback darlings of rot and dharma
Protect love unity earth with absolute honour