Exploring the Art of Poetry: An In-Depth Interview with Ravi Gandhi of Red Pill Rhymes

I recently facilitated a Q&A session with Ravi Gandhi, the creator of "Red Pill Rhymes." We discussed his artistic journey, pivotal moments in embracing poetry, and his experiences as a writer, including challenges and triumphs. Ravi also shared insights into his personal interests and hobbies, highlighting the influences on his work. I hope you find this conversation as enlightening and inspiring as I did.

AA: Please share your background with us. I'd love to learn about where you're from, your upbringing, and how your cultural heritage has influenced who you are today. Also, what significant life experiences have played a crucial role in shaping your identity?

RG: I was born and raised in a small town in Ontario Canada to East Indian immigrants parents. I attended elementary school as an ESL student, as my parents only spoke Gujarati at home. This experience of having to assimilate and make friends with a language barrier was important. It may have even been my first initial appreciation of language. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I am a teacher now, because of all the hard work educators put into teaching me English. I always share this story with my own students and show them a picture of me in Grade 1 with my tiny ESL group, children of all backgrounds. This gives our many new to the country students hope, and a

role model for future success.

AA: Could you share more about the specific type of educator you are? For instance, do you specialize in a particular subject area, such as

RG: I teach grade 5 language. Normally I would teach all subjects but have taken half time to pursue writing a bit more. I have taught Grades 2 all the way to 7 in my career, but for the past few years it’s been Grade 4 and 5 mainly.

AA: I remember you mentioning your role as an educator, and I’m intrigued by your journey. I would love to hear more about your experiences and what has shaped your path in education.

RG: I think being an average student, with ups and downs, including some really terrible marks in specific subjects in high school that make me cringe, it gives me better perspective on students. Those students that perhaps struggle in certain areas, I can absolutely relate to them a bit better because of my own struggles. I kind of fell into teaching after volunteering at a local school, and being excited about the creativity within lessons. To be able to get kids enthusiastic about learning in unique ways appealed to me.

AA: How does poetry contribute to the educational experience you offer your students? In what ways do you incorporate poetic forms, techniques, and themes into your teaching methods to enhance their learning and creativity? How do you believe engaging with poetry can influence their critical thinking, emotional expression, and appreciation for language? Would you share examples of specific activities or discussions that highlight the impact of poetry in your classroom?

RG: I truly love teaching poetry to my students every year. What’s interesting is that so many of them have really no prior experience with it than maybe the previous grade. So when I introduce someone like Shel Silverstein, many have no idea who he is. I grew up reading Shel Silverstein and so it’s such a joy to bring his work into the classroom. Once I show them poetry doesn’t have to be about roses, or sound so robotic, that you can be silly and slightly dark with the words, they really get into it. Also helping them understand that singing, spoken word, and hip hop are also forms of poetry, opens their mind to possibilities.

AA: Now: What specific experiences or pivotal moments ignited your passion for becoming a writer, and how did that journey evolve into writing poetry? Were there particular events that left a profound impact on you, overwhelming emotions that you felt were difficult to express, or influential individuals, such as mentors or fellow artists, who significantly shaped your path as a poet? I would love to hear about the moments or encounters that first captivated you about this art form and inspired you to explore its depths.

RG: Most times, when we look back on how we arrived at this juncture or path, it’s either an experience or a relationship to someone, or a combination of both, that alters trajectory. For me, it was about 8 years ago now, where my life was full of anxiety and depression. Life came to crashing halt when at one point I had lost 40lbs over the course of a few months and couldn’t sleep for 3-4 days in a row. I curled up into a ball in my house and had no hope.

RG: Somehow, I had found the will to get up and start finding answers beyond prescriptions or temporary fixes. With a combination of taking time off work, understanding root causes and using personalized functional medicine, I realized one key thing that was missing in my life was my writing. Which I had abandoned for decades because of the daily hustle and bustle of life. I had written as a child often, short stories and even just definitions of words from the dictionary, but I suppose I found new hobbies and such, not realizing writing itself was not just a hobby, it was my livelihood. This was the self-realization I had over the course of a few years on my path to self-healing.

AA: Additionally, how have these influences evolved, and in what ways has poetry not only become a vital part of your creative expression but also an outlet for your thoughts and feelings? What changes have you noticed in your writing style or themes as you grew and matured as a poet?

RG: My writing had certainly evolved. When I first started back to it during my adulthood, I quite enjoyed short stories and prose. Ironically, I never really enjoyed poetry. I found it fragmented and fractured, and didn’t understand it. Once social media took off, I was reading Insta poetry and scoffing. Mainly out of jealousy that no one was reading my blogs or longer form writing, they were choosing these snippet bits of emotion posted online. So I started writing insta poetry almost out of spite. When I first joined Instagram, I was writing witty and playful word poems almost half joking about the artform. This got some traction, and I quickly I had something. I continued writing and eventually, the themes evolved to satire, politics, heartbreak, mental health, etc. Stuff I really just needed to get off my chest and express. Once I started reading some of the greatest poets of all time, like Frost, Rilke, Mary Oliver, Whitman, etc, my writing took another turn. These writers really did feed my soul, and so I went deeper personally, and in my writing.

AA: How do you typically start the process of writing a poem? Do you have a specific routine or method that you follow? You begin with a particular theme or emotion or draw inspiration from nature, a personal experience, or even a line of dialogue you overheard. Do you find yourself jotting down random thoughts or images before shaping them into a structured form? Additionally, do you have any favorite techniques or prompts that spark your creativity at the outset?

RG: I have a notebook beside my bed but find myself jotting notes or texting myself words all the time when inspiration strikes. This could be something I think about on a car ride, or after reading a piece of writing that really makes me take pause. I start writing poems at 5am in the morning until about 7am. This is the closest people will get to dream state, and for, the best time for creativity. Once I made the shift to become a 5am writer, the words have continued to pour out ever since. It’s quiet, no devices, the world is asleep so to speak. I never ever throw any pieces out. Sometimes I circle back to poems that at the time, just didn’t work for me, only to finish and expand upon later.

AA: I would love to hear about some of your favorite poems that you've written. What themes or emotions do they explore, and what inspired you to create them?

RG: It’s hard to say which is my favorite. I’m constantly learning and shifting. We all are. And the poems represent a certain moment in time. I suppose I really enjoyed a poem called ‘Everything in Between’. I take pride in writing pieces that don’t sound like other authors. I wanted to write a love poem that didn’t sound like a love poem from that traditional sense. The overly mushy over the top writing that sure some people enjoy, but other’s get repulsed by. So in this particular write, a man is looking out onto a beach and just seeing the ugliness humanity, in everything. The food the people are eating, the consumerism, etc. But it speaks to the wild thoughts the person has that he thinks the worst things about anything and everything. Nightmarish in a way. Only to be interrupted at the end by his love, who kind of nudges him from this daydream on the beach. He looks into her eyes and realizes her happiness is all that matters. But it reslly highlights my own struggles of anxiety and overthinking, and where a mind can wander. All those tiny moments. So again, it may not sound like a love poem while reading it, but by the end, and I love twist endings, the reader realizes it is. Even with all the madness of the world, that one person and love supersede all.

AA: What inspired the concept of a "truth seeker," and how does this idea translate into the creation of thoughtful and evocative poetry? I’m curious about the process of exploration and discovery behind these poems and how the pursuit of truth influences the themes, emotions, and imagery woven throughout the verses.

RG: Over the past 5-6 years our world has gone through some wild changes. One of the biggest changes that I found extremely detrimental was an attack on our free speech in Canada. Laws and actions were put into place during pandemic that really highlighted government overreach. I wanted to write a book that would serve as a beacon of hope against such tyranny. But truth seeker goes beyond just what is being hidden in our society, it’s about finding true purpose and soul. So while Red Pill Rhymes does touch upon some politics, government, dystopian themes. It does have an underlying messaging of searching within, and of hope.

AA: What is the book "Red Pill Rhymes"? What is it about, and what can readers expect from it?

RG: Red Pill Rhymes is a collection of poems and rhyming stories that takes the reader down a journey through the inner workings of the mind and soul, eventually arriving at a truth and awakening about themselves and the world. It is the shedding of identity, and self-realization of how to overcome challenges, while blowing the lid off our own perceived realities. Very honest in its tone, Red Pill Rhymes touches upon topics such as anxiety, trauma, spirituality, politics, creativity, government, media, and much more. It ultimately asks of the reader one key question...'are you awake?

AA: How do you think poetry nurtures impactful dialogues across diverse cultures? In what ways does it serve as a powerful catalyst for confronting urgent social issues, amplifying the voices of those often marginalized, and igniting essential conversations?

RG: I think art unites us all, and so poetry is simply another leaf on the same branch or tree of humanity. Much like music, or painting, poetry too acts as a bridge for us to get to learning more about ourselves and others on a deeper level. Past the level surface and skin.

AA: I have an exciting challenge for you! I’m going to give you two words: “hawk” and "obedience." Your task is to create a poem inspired by each word. Let your creativity shine and have fun!

RG: On a branched resting place, lies an ease in the storms of unknown, wings wet so i preen them. scanning, anticipating prospects in the medium- wanderers don’t test gale winds for immediate. so i wait, for visions within my third eye median. stillness will not be mistaken for dull or tedious, nor my self-control, as some form of obedience. for just like patience, is part of a falcon’s genius, discipline can be both foresighted and expedient. peregrinus

AA: What valuable insights, tips, or inspiration would you offer fellow poets and writers looking to enhance their craft and find their unique voice?

RG: Read. Read, and read, and read. When you’re done, read more. My writing really elevated after I read the greats. This includes writers not even in the genre like Orwell, Chiang, Murakami.

AA: What is your perspective on the belief that poetry represents a true form of artistic expression? In what ways does the intricate use of language, rhythm, and imagery in poetry elevate it to an art form? How does poetry move us, evoke deep feelings, or capture the complexities of human experience and thought, allowing us to connect with the essence of life itself?

RG: I firmly believe poetry is just one other way to listen and speak to your soul, or something beyond. The rhythm and imagery is like meditation. It doesn’t matter what the theme or topic is in, we have an innate calling to express. And writing is one of those ways. I think this is why people appreciate it. Readers will understand that the author is tapping into something extremely personal and perhaps even divine.

AA: What valuable advice would you offer to someone who is just beginning their journey into the world of poetry? Are there particular techniques, inspirations, or resources that you think would help nurture their creativity and refine their skills as they explore this expressive art form?

RG: I do highly recommend being consistent when writing. Daily practice. Some writers prefer late at night, I like the mornings. But either way, write every single day. Beyond reading regularly, I would also jump on social media and make some friends. There’s always little contests you can enter that are free online. Instagram does have a lot of poetry accounts that have prompt contests, and that’s an easy way to challenge yourself as a writer but also get some exposure.

AA: When it comes to movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonate with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?

RG: Film has a large influence in my writing. Some of my favorites are The Matrix, Fight Club, and Interstellar. I like all of these films because they challenge perception and beliefs. Not only that, they challenge the viewer and command attention. These films have deep meaning, and really do lend to watching multiple times. I want my writing to have those layers, where a reader can interpret the poem multiple ways after reading it a few times.

AA: As you reflect on your journey as a poet, which of your poetic creations fills you with the most pride, and what makes it stand out for you?

RG: The poetic creations that fulfill me the most are poems that show my own evolution as a human.

AA:  Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

RG: This list is constantly changing. Like week to week. Last week I swear my favorite book was Mary Oliver’s American Primitive, and now I’m all about that Robert Frost life. A month ago it was it might have been Rilke’s Book of Hours, and before that The Prophet. As for novels, I think Fahrenheit 451 still is on tops for me. It’s such a wide array of themes and emotions felt in all of these books, from fear all the way to the peace felt from God.

AA: I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

RG: Some of my favorite bands are Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and Odesza. I’ve been lucky enough to see all of them live. The Radiohead concert was especially wonderful because I wasn’t sure if they would ever come back to Canada again, and it had been a decade or so since they last performed here. All these bands have such an interesting sound. Sigur Ros is an Icelandic band, and while I have no idea what they’re saying, it doesn’t matter. We talk about how poetry transcends, so does music. I can feel something that stirs me when listening to these bands.

AA: What are some activities you enjoy doing in your free time?

RG: When I’m not writing, I love getting into nature, walking, jogging, working out, and being in community.

AA: We appreciate poet Ravi Gandhi for kindly sharing his story and interests with us.

Poet and Educator: Ravi Gandhi

Please access the Linktree below to find detailed information about poet Ravi Gandhi

https://linktr.ee/rkgandhi?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabax-Cv1RFD5Z82Q7rmcVXg_wUNlrhIqi_wZCizljHeloyseJg0slVGLxg_aem_QhYNo9Y2trp0z4MPxbWCUg

*** All images are by Ravi Gandhi, unless specified otherwise **