Tongo Eisen-Martin, the Poet Laureate of San Francisco, discusses his artistic path and influences in an interview with contributing editor Peter Mishler. Eisen-Martin is recognized for his poetry collections, including *Heaven Is All Goodbyes* (2017), which garnered multiple accolades such as the California Book Award for Poetry and was shortlisted for the Griffin International Poetry Prize. His latest work, *Blood on the Fog*, was published in September 2021 as part of the City Lights Pocket Poets Series.
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Eisen-Martin reflects on his childhood, marking it as a time when he was profoundly influenced by the vibrant culture of Hip Hop, which fostered his creative response to the world around him. He emphasizes the collective influence of the revolutionaries in his youth, illustrating how this environment nurtured his imagination and encouraging him to engage critically with societal issues.
When asked about family influences in the arts, Eisen-Martin notes the impact of his brother, a talented actor, painter, and writer, who played a pivotal role in maintaining their family's artistic integrity during challenging times.
Eisen-Martin's poetry readings are characterized by a sense of spontaneity and discovery, as he often feels surprised by his own words during performance. He shares that he approaches recitals as both a creative act and a way to engage with the audience more deeply, especially when performing from memory. He believes that internalizing poems allows for a more authentic experience, helping to dissolve the barrier between himself and the poem.
In addressing how he writes about San Francisco, Eisen-Martin sees the city as a lens through which to explore themes of late-stage imperialism and social contradiction. He aims to reflect the realities of oppression, resistance, and potential through the unique circumstances of the city.
Regarding the structure of his poems, Eisen-Martin intentionally uses line placement to guide the reader's interpretation and rhythm, sometimes revising them extensively until they feel aligned with the intended voice and energy.
He contrasts his previous work with his recent collection, noting that *Heaven Is All Goodbyes* emerged from significant transitions in his life, including the loss of important people. Although he initially felt stagnant after completing that book, he later found new creative pathways that led to the development of *Blood on the Fog*.
Eisen-Martin describes his approach to writing as one influenced by meditation techniques, enabling him to create poetry that resonates with immediacy and authenticity while shedding past defensiveness—a continual journey of exploration in a complex artistic terrain.
In closing, Eisen-Martin remarks on the paradoxical nature of poetry, where brilliance can arise from structured precision or chaotic expression. He stresses the importance of embracing contradictions in the creative process to convey deeper truths.