Spencer Keene was among the poets whose poems were shortlisted from The Poetry Writing Contests 2025, organized by The Hemlock Journal. His poem ‘Ode to Maternity’ was published in ‘Special Poetry Issue’

Spencer Keene reads ‘Ode to Maternity’ (listen to it by clicking the below play button)

Or, read ‘Ode to Maternity’ and other 24 shortlisted poems, BUY the Special Poetry Issue : Click Here.

In this interview Spencer talks on various topics, including his journey to become a poet, his thoughts on AI generated material gaining popularity and his favorite influential Poets.

Interviewer: Congratulations on being one of the winners of the Contest. Could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey with poetry?

Spencer Keene : My name is Spencer Keene (he/him), and I’m lucky enough to live and work on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC. I’m a relative newcomer to poetry; I took a creative writing class in the fall of 2024, aiming to improve my short fiction writing, and ended up falling in love with poetry instead.

Interviewer: What inspired you to write your winning poem? Was there a particular moment, memory, or feeling that sparked it?

Spencer Keene: My wife was about six months pregnant with our firstborn child when I wrote “Ode to Maternity”. That was the catalyst that got me thinking about maternal love. But as I dove into the writing process, I inevitably started to contemplate my relationship with my own mom, which surfaced a whole different set of emotions and imagery that ended up in the poem.

Interviewer: Since the theme was Love, how do you personally define or understand love? Did that definition shape your poem?

Spencer Keene: To me, love is undefinable. And I certainly wouldn’t claim to understand it. I think of it more as an all-consuming state of mind, a way of existing in the world as a sensitive human being. Like consciousness itself, it’s a concept that’s too big for our simple minds to fully comprehend. These thoughts and impressions led to some of the more enigmatic language in the poem.

Interviewer: Do you remember the very first poem you ever wrote? How does your writing today compare with that early attempt?

Spencer Keene : I wish I could say that I do, but I don’t! My guess is that it was probably a horrible imitation of William Blake. As I’ve matured in my poetry writing, I’ve tried to shed some of my earlier influences and be more organic and original.

Interviewer: Which poets, writers, or artists influence your work the most?

Spencer Keene : Sylvia Plath, Diane Seuss, Emily Dickinson, Ted Hughes, Arthur Rimbaud, to name a few.

Like consciousness itself, it (Love) is a concept that’s too big for our simple minds to fully comprehend : Spencer Keene

Interviewer: Do you think poetry still holds power and relevance in today’s fast-paced, digital world?

Spencer Keene: Absolutely! In fact, I’d argue it’s an art form that is more essential than ever. Well-written poetry encourages us to slow down and open ourselves up to really examine the inner worlds that animate us; something a tweet, Instagram reel, or TikTok video will never be able to do.

Interviewer: As a poet or writer, are you afraid of the rise of AI generated content? How do you think the writing community survives against the tide?

Spencer Keene: I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of it. Honestly, I don’t understand the mindset of someone who would seek to pass off AI-generated content as their own creative work. I believe that, for anyone who is truly passionate about writing or making art more generally, the enrichment we get from the process of creation is the reason we do it. Obviously, the impact of AI will be much more worrisome for those whose livelihoods are threatened by it. Luckily, I’m not in that boat.

Interviewer: What advice would you give to emerging poets who want to write about big themes like Love without falling into clichés?

Spencer Keene: I would say, get as personal as you’re comfortable getting. You have a perspective that no one else in the world shares; try to express it in a way that touches on your unique experience, while simultaneously tying it into more universal ideas. Easier said than done!

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on, or what can readers expect from you in the near future?

Spencer Keene: My goal is to publish my first chapbook of poetry in 2026. I’m in the early stages of brainstorming potential themes and concepts, but I’m leaning towards a commentary on the current social and political climate in the West. In the meantime, I’ll continuing to submit my work to literary journals and the occasional contest.

About Spencer Keene