Interview with Queer Poet Ed Madden on His Work and Activism

Madden served as the inaugural poet laureate of Columbia, South Carolina, from 2015 to 2022, a position created to promote poetry and the literary arts. He mentioned that he expanded the role to encompass poetry as a public art form. After the Charleston church shooting, a council member asked him to write a poem, leading him to see the position as an opportunity to address public issues through poetry. He initiated projects that featured poetry in public spaces such as city buses and sidewalks, often incorporating the voices of local artists.

In a recent reading at Queer Haven Books, Madden discussed his poem “Tusk” from “White Winged Doves: A Stevie Nicks Poetry Anthology.” He noted that while he had not written the poem specifically for the anthology, it was part of a series he had been developing, reflecting on personal memories tied to songs from his youth.

The poem addresses his experiences growing up queer in a fundamentalist church in rural America, capturing the tension between his desire to stay and the necessity to leave to be true to himself. He described how the songs he referenced help articulate complex emotions and memories associated with his coming-of-age.

Madden's reflections on music included a mention of his past affinity for disco artists like Donna Summer and his later admiration for bands like the B52s. He linked these musical influences to significant experiences in his life, including his time in high school marching band, where he transitioned from playing clarinet to saxophone, ultimately becoming the drum major.

Regarding his chapbook titled “Arkansas Luggage,” he discussed his candidness about being uncircumcised—an often unspoken topic that intersects with issues of class, ethnicity, and regional culture in the American South.

Madden's latest chapbook, “I Asked Him What He Needed,” consists of “postcard poems” inspired by his daily life and current events. This project began on New Year's Day 2022 when he committed to writing and mailing a poem each day, reflecting on both personal experiences and broader issues like the war in Ukraine and gun violence.

Although he has not seen much ICE activity on his campus, he acknowledged the fear that students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, experience in the face of systemic oppression. He called these poems some of his most political, aiming to bear witness and provoke reflection on pressing social issues.

Madden believes poetry may not change policies, but it can document experiences and foster empathy. He connected his guerrilla poetry efforts as poet laureate to his current mission of highlighting humanity amid societal cruelty. He recalled Irish poet Seamus Heaney, reflecting on the power of pausing for contemplation.

Looking ahead, Madden shared that he is working on a series of essays about his time in Brazil, which may evolve into a memoir. He also plans another poetry collection inspired by the observations of nature and the connection between personal experiences and the art of songwriting.