Describe yourself in 3 words…
Eccentric. Honest. Passionate.
What inspires you?
Whatever makes me feel really excited! People, places, things… as long as they give me those pins and needles of excitement, it’s like lemonade fizzing through me. Often I feel inspired by the residents at the care home where I work and by the young people in my poetry workshops. A lot of my work is inspired by fairytales, mythology, and folk law, but also the stories my mum and dad tell me about their childhood. We are a family of storytellers.
Tell us about your worst ever gig?
I once performed in the rain, with no audience… but to be fair that was actually quite fun. My most awkward performance was when we did a poetry flash mob in a bar, and you could just tell that we were annoying the customers and they just wanted us to shut up so that they could have their drink in peace.
What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?
Rhyming for the sake of it. It takes a very skilled poet to rhyme well, but a lot of the time it feels really reductive when poets are choosing their words just so that they rhyme, not because that’s the best word for the poem. I also hate when people think that a poem has to rhyme. Like I’ve literally been told before that I’m not a ‘real’ poet because most of my poems don’t rhyme.
Whose words do you love at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading Bell Hook’s All About Love, and it’s helped me heal and return to a more loving place.
Poetry wise I’m always re-reading my favorite poets Joy Harjo and Mary Oliver, from their words I find constant wisdom.
I also recently picked up a book of calligraphy illustrated poems by the Tibetan poet Shabkar. The calligraphy is so beautiful, I love how it works to really expand the poetry, and I’ve really enjoyed the meditative nature in the simplicity of his work.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
You are not too much. One day you will find people that love you for your loudness.
Do you prefer breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Midnight snacks. When the clock strikes twelve I turn into a little goblin and scurry off to the kitchen to create some strange composition of cheese and carbs.
About Lauren Temple
Lauren Temple (she/her) is a poet, performer, and workshop facilitator from Manchester, she is a member of the poetry collective Young Identity. Lauren’s work often focuses on queerness and mental health. Seeing herself primarily as a storyteller, Lauren often uses a narrative style that weaves fantasy with the mundane to examine our contemporary life. Lauren has worked with organisations such as Manchester International Festival, HOME theatre, and Manchester City of Literature.
Lauren is part of Future Voices. To find out more about the project click here
Instagram: @laurentemplepoet