Poetry loading for other magical beings ^
Typewriter poets are truly magical people, creating meaningful experiences seemingly out of thin air. We are highly skilled at creating custom pieces of art in just minutes using a typewriter and our mystical minds. One of my favorite aspects about being a professional typewriter poet, oracle and performer is that part of my job is to immerse myself in all kinds of worlds, words and ideas. As a writer and artist, I naturally feed on inspiration and stimuli, so no event theme or word prompt is ever too far out for me.
What events do you work?
Over time, I’ve written poetry at events with such an array of themes; spanning everything from corporate functions to private parties and weddings. Recently, I’ve been seen at a relaxed garden tea-party, a 1920’s themed school auction on the Portland Spirit, a funeral themed birthday, a conspiracy themed speakeasy coffeeshop opening, a haunted library wedding in the forest and so much more.
Who is it for?
At the many events I’ve been a part of here, one aspect holds true - the live nature of the typewriter poetry engages all walks of life; children, adults and everyone in between (event sometimes pets!). Because we are so inundated by our digital lives, even just seeing someone using a typewriter in real life brings an element of surprise to people. It is a timeless oddity that stops people in their tracks. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people gasp as they’ve walked toward my table inquiring about what I’m doing. When I ask them if they want a custom poem, their eyes light up even more.
How does this experience work?
When someone sits down with me for a poem, it’s like we’ve entered our own little world where it’s just us. Often, I will ask if there is a word or phrase that is coming to them, but occasionally people come into the experience already knowing what they want me to write about. It also depends on what version of typewriter poetry I’m offering (see Oracle Typewriter Poetry below)
People ask for answers to their questions. They ask for poetry about people who aren’t there in the moment. Occasionally, they create a combination of words that makes us both laugh, and I giggle my way through the words. The things people ask for are always a mystery to me, and each poem is handcrafted with care in just a few minutes time.
What makes Ghost of Earth unique?
Although my aesthetic tends to lean more towards the ethereal, Victorian mystic, I am inspired by a variety of themes. My poetry itself tends to weave between reality and surreality, evolving in a personal way with each guest. If I am offering my signature Oracle Typewriter Poetry, I will use oracle or tarot cards to ignite inspiration in guests. This is a concept I developed in my first year as a typewriter poet, which is derived from my own creative writing practice (which now spans beyond 2 decades with poetry alone). You can usually find me floating around with my black, 1940’s Royal Quite Deluxe or my 1920’s absinthe, wood-grain Underwood comfortably posted up in any old Victorian house in Portland.
Why choose Typewriter Poetry with Ghost for your event?
This experience leaves an impression on people that is lasting beyond the actual event. Since Portland is a small town, I tend to run into people I’ve written poetry for before and I am shocked when they tell me that they still have my poem framed in their house! These poems are not just words on paper, they are many things to many people. For some they are a timestamp of where someone was at in their life, they are magical altar pieces of manifestation, a voice for a feeling that feels hard to explain, and sometimes are just an interesting combination of words meant to invoke a sense of levity in a person’s life when they need it. Most of all, I hope that these poems serve as a reminder to slow down and return to our own magic.
It’s a strange and mystical life as a professional typewriter poet, but I wouldn’t change it for the world!
