Denise Provost began her writing journey as a child, focusing primarily on poetry. Her talent was recognized with a full scholarship to Bennington College in her sophomore year of high school, largely due to a poetry manuscript. She graduated from Bennington in 1971 but shifted her focus to law school, convinced she was not suited for a career in English literature. She completed law school in 1982.
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Provost worked initially as an attorney for the City of Newton before joining the City of Somerville, where she served under reform-minded mayor Eugene Brune. This experience inspired her ideas on making government more transparent and responsive. In 1993, she ran for Ward Alderman in Ward 5, narrowly losing to a long-time incumbent. When that incumbent resigned, she lost again to the appointed replacement in 1995. Her political aspirations seemed to wane until 1999, when she successfully ran for a newly vacant at-large seat on the Board of Aldermen.
Provost served on the Board for nearly seven years before winning a special election for state representative in February 2006, representing Somerville’s 27th Middlesex District. As her children grew older, she found herself returning to poetry and joined Susan Donnelly’s poetry workshop in 2010, leading to publications in various journals.
In an interview with Doug Holder on Somerville Community Access TV's show 'Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer,' Provost discussed her literary influences and local poetry. She mentioned Sam Walter Foss, recognized as an early 20th Century poet, whose work is commemorated annually on January 1st at Prospect Hill in Somerville.
Provost shared that her early poetry included themes based on nature and personal observations. She initially expressed an affinity for song lyrics, which inspired her poetic creations. Despite her initial interest in medieval poetry, she chose to pursue law after realizing she wanted a more diverse career.
When asked whether she could teach poetry, Provost expressed confidence in her abilities, referencing her professional editing experience with the New England Journal of Law and Medicine. She also acknowledged the connection between writing and her law background, noting prominent lawyer-poets like Franz Kafka and Andrew Marvell.
Occasionally, Provost writes political poetry, often drawing inspiration from current events, and admires the humorous political poems of Calvin Trillin. While her subject matter has evolved, her passion for poetry remains unchanged, as she still evokes the same youthful wonder in her work. Reflecting on the creative process, she quoted Paul Valery, stating, "The poem is never finished; it is abandoned."
In discussing the connection between poetry and politics, Provost commented on how a self-disciplined poet can distill the essence of issues, aligning with the belief that poets can make effective politicians. The interview concluded with a reading of one of her poems, “The Deal,” which reflects her observations on community and trust.