Interview with Poet Kelly Belmonte Discusses Poetry and Faith

Belmonte engages with high school freshmen annually, reading from her poetry and addressing their queries about publishing and writing. She emphasizes a crucial lesson: during the writing process, one should focus on writing freely without editing. She often conducts a similar exercise with friends, setting prompts and encouraging them to write without self-censorship, which they find to be both enjoyable and therapeutic.

Reflecting on how contemporary audiences perceive poetry, Belmonte noted that our distracted culture values authentic lived experiences over mere facts. She sees this moment as promising for poetry, allowing for expressions of authenticity and personal narratives. However, she also remarked that while her followers tend to be fellow poets and artists, poetry has yet to reach a wider audience.

Regarding her writing philosophy, Belmonte believes all writing is a continuous practice of building pieces word by word. She advises writers to seek feedback from a small number of trusted readers to gauge when a poem is ready for submission. She encourages emerging poets to submit their work more frequently, as success in publishing often hinges on timing and fit rather than perfection.

Belmonte's poetry often employs free verse, which she explains does not mean limitless freedom; rather, each line must contribute meaningfully to the poem as a whole. In her micro-poems, typically three to five lines, she draws inspiration from Japanese poetic forms while acknowledging the complexity of defining them.

In her chapbook, Transit, created in collaboration with photographer Tom Darin Liskey, many poems reflect on themes of faith. The project was inspired by photographs of cathedrals and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. One particular poem, inspired by an image of a bookshelf filled with Bibles, highlights her reflections on the power of words and faith.

Belmonte's deep appreciation for Genesis and the Gospel of John informs her work, allowing her to explore profound themes of creation and language. She expressed a desire to continue delving into writing focused on these themes throughout her poetic journey.