Meet Bob Gossom | Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bob Gossom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bob, how do you think about risk?
My natural inclination is to see the risk in not taking a chance. The practical downsides of failure always have to be understood and managed, but I’ve never been concerned about the emotional risks of falling flat. When an endeavor fails – whether business, personal, or creative – my perspective is that it didn’t work out, this time. I’ve started and abandoned more poems than I’ve completed. The first word on every blank page is a risk. Producing the play, Versified! The Human Equation! is quite a risk, but is also a wild adventure.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been drawn to writing poems since I was 16. It’s been a part of me ever since. The magic – and curse? – of poetry is that you can craft a life while you also craft poems. I’ve worked in both the film business and applications development. Most people who know me professionally don’t know about this other life. We think we know the people around us, but we all live both an exterior and an internal life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I often take LA visitors out to the Hummingbird/Rocky Peak trails in Simi Valley. A detour by the Painted Cave is usually on the agenda.

My brother and I have taken backpacking and fishing trips in the Sierra and Belize, canoed in the Canadian wilderness, and gone whitewater rafting in Idaho. We’d do it all again. I’m hiking the Havasupai Canyon in Arizona this June with good friends – a trip I’ve taken about 12 other times with virtually every member of my family.

But all of us have many natures. With my wife, it’s a trip to London and Stratford on Avon, seeing at least one play every day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The wonderful team that’s come together to produce Versified! The Human Equation has my undying gratitude. Sonny Lira, the director, brought my poems to life in ways I never imagined. Shea Thomas has done wonders with our social media, and Scott Golden with the publicity. Michael Rogers on the lighting and our Stage Manager, Tanya Gillette.

And of course each member of the incredible cast: D’Andre, Carver Folkes, Gracie Gilb, Aidan John, Jeannette Srinivasan, and Valerie Vibar.

Finally I have to thank one of my oldest friends and longtime collaborator, the writer Paul Robert Walker. He’s been my constant editor from the day we met, almost 50 years ago.

Website: https://www.bobgverse.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/versified_la

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555850068457

Image Credits
Personal photo: David Haverty Boot photo: Sara Gossom