A Conversation with Andrew Buckley (a.k.a Coffee With Keats)
Poetic Spotlight Series: Interview #1
Having amassed over 500k followers on Instagram, Andrew Buckley (a.k.a
) recently moved to Substack to release poetic analysis and original work. His work draws on myth, Romanticism, and nature to construct ethereal verses and analysis that make you want to read poetry over and over again.In this conversation, Andrew and I discuss the poetic process, the ugliness of semi-colons, fire and solitude. And yes, I did quote Keats to him.
This conversation has two parts: the first is introductory before we get into the main discussion, which involves talking about poetic practice and poetry. If you would like to access this post become a paid subscriber.
Get to know Andrew
S: We can’t start this conversation with anything other than your coffee order – after all you are ‘Coffee with Keats’? So, what coffee are you having?
A: I would have to go for the basic flat white with no sugar. Although when I’m at home, I have honey—is that weird?
S: Yes, that is slightly odd. But let’s go with it.
A: I don’t know if there’s something about honey that gives it a nice edge.
S: I’ll have to try that.
S: Did you always want to write? Did you always want to study History and English?
A: I’ve always liked literature. I loved ‘The Hobbit’ as a kid and would try to recreate fantasy stories inspired by what I had read. It was never a huge thing, though. Some people say they’ve always wanted to write, but that certainly wasn’t the case for me. It was only in the later years of high school that I became more interested and invested in literature.
S: There does seem to be a divide in writing circles. There are those who say they have wanted to write since they were three, and then there are others who come later to it.
A: I wish I could say that was me. That would be very cool. But, no, I think I have grown into it.
S: Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
A: Oh, that’s a hard one. Do you mean influence in general? Or literary influence?
S: In general! So, I would say my mum is probably my biggest influence.
A: I don’t know. From 15/16, I didn’t really have any role models around me, so it was books and the people that I read. I think they have helped me out more than any role models I have had in my life.
S: Would you say then that the written word has been more helpful to you then?
A: I would say so. But not just that, the personalities behind the written word have also been really helpful for me.
Deep dive into Andrew’s writing and poetic practice ….
S: Why do you provide poetic analysis? Does this stem from a desire to educate? Or do you view this as an artistic construct in itself which is inspired by the poem(s) you are working with?
A: For me, it’s a creative construct in itself. I only analyse poems I connect with – my work stems from my love for the poems. I sometimes think of analysis as a kind of poetry in itself. It is not simply an analytic response to a poem but rather an emotional and creative one. This is best exemplified by reading Harold Bloom or Walter Jackson Bate's analysis of negative capabilities, which is almost as beautiful as the poem itself. In this sense, analysing a poem feels like an extension of poetic practice.
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